Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Roycroft, Aitken, Bell, Tomana, Cramb, Cashmore (Shields) and Taggart (Devine)
Unused subs:- Christie, Graham and Wilson

Raith Rovers;- Brown, Bonar, Wilson, Fotheringham, Andrews, Campbell, Darnley, Currie (Kilgannon)(Tansey), One, Thorarinsson and Batchelor(Fairbairn)
Unused subs:- Fahey and Tulloch

Stirling Albion travelled to Kirkcaldy to face a Raith Rovers team many people would have expected to have made a revival following the appointment of Craig Levein as manager a few weeks ago, despite speculation that he might be moving to Dunfermline. However, Raith have still to record a victory at home this season and injuries and suspension aren’t helping Levein.
The Binos squad was unchanged from last week but there was a change in the starting line up with Cashmore getting a rare start with Shields being relegated to the bench. Perhaps this was a reward for the effort Cashmore put in against Falkirk in midweek culminating in a goal or maybe the manager was just wanting to freshen things up as a small squad restricts the changes the manager can make.
Rovers made 3 changes from the previous week with Lumsden absent due to family reasons, Davidson suspended and Manson injured. Their places were taken by Darnley, Campbell and Batchelor.
The Binos got off to the best possible start, taking the lead before some fans had even settled into their seats. Cashmore played the ball in to Tomana who produced a magical finish to put the ball past Brown.
Raith made an early change when Kilgannon came on for the injured Currie. A 30 yard free kick from Aitken had Brown scrambling across his goal. A minute later the ball was worked across the Binos 18 yard line but Batchelor shot straight at Hogarth.
Raith should have equalised after 18 minutes when Hogarth spilled a deflected shot but Thorarinsson, on loan from Hearts, ballooned the ball over.
Thorarinsson was agin involved just on the half hour mark when his shot bounced just in front of Hogarth who managed to palm the ball away for a corner.
A few minutes later Raith were awarded a penalty when McNally was judged to have fouled Batchelor and Fotheringham stepped up to send the ball past Hogarth despite the keeper getting his finger tips to the ball. Perhaps it was asking too much to expect Myles to produce another save after last week’s effort against Brechin.
Hogarth was again involved in the most controversial moment of the first half when he appeared to handle the ball a yard outside the box but the referee waved play on, much to the disgust of the Rovers fans who let their feelings be known as the teams left the field at the interval.
The Binos had strong claims for a penalty in the first few minutes of the second half turned down when Cashmore was brought down in similar circumstances to the Raith penalty. This time referee Norris decided to let play continue.
Cashmore was then replaced by Shields in a move which was to have great significance later in the match.
Just on the hour mark, Bell was brought down just outside the 18 yard box. Aitken’s free kick beat the defensive wall but Brown managed to parry the ball to safety.
At the other end, McNally allowed One to gather the ball and work his way into the box but Thorarinsson was unable to connect with the flashing cross.
Shields had an opportunity to regain the lead for the Binos but, after wrong footing the defence, his shot didn’t carry enough weight to beat Brown.
Devine then came on for Taggart who had not been having one of his better games. This move seemed to add more urgency to the Binos’ attacks. However, Raith fought back and , from a corner, Hogarth saved Campbell’s strong header.
With it looking as though there was going to be a repeat of the result the last time these teams met, the Binos took the lead for the second time when Cramb and Shields combined with Cramb accepting the return ball to send the ball past Brown. There was a bit of good fortune as Cramb’s shot took a deflection but the Binos’ fans didn’t mind as the ball settled in the back of the net.
With a minute to go, the seal was put on the victory when Shields took advantage of a terrible mix up between Campbell and Brown to stroke the ball into the empty net.
The fans joy at the final whistle was heightened when news came through that Morton had lost their unbeaten record, meaning that the gap at the top of the division was down to 6 points. With the Binos now having 2 home games coming up, there is every possibility that there could be a change at the top very shortly though these will be very tough games against Alloa and Morton.
Today’s performance was not exactly a classic with some players showing signs of tiredness. As I,ve already said, the size of the squad at Forthbank does not allow the manager much scope for change though I am sure the incentive to go top of the league will spur the players on.
Hopefully, there will be a good turn out for next week’s derby whilst a big crowd is guaranteed the following week.
There were 2 bookings today, one for each team. Forsyth for a foul on Batchelor and Kilgannon for pulling back Bell.