Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Nugent, Forsyth, McNally, Roycroft, Fraser, Bell, Tomana, Cramb, Shields and O’Brien
Subs:- Gibson for Roycroft, Christie for Hogarth and Cashmore for Cramb. Graham and Hay (both unused)

Stranraer;- Morrison, Snowdon, Sharp, Hamilton, Walker, Crilly, Lyle, Burns, Moore, Wright and McMullan
Subs:- McGroarty for Wright, Ramsay for McMullan. Nicholas and McKinstry (both unused)

Despite taking an early lead, Stirling Albion had to twice come from behind to a salvage a draw against Stranraer in a keenly fought contest.
The Binos starting line up showed 4 changes from the team which went out to Cowdenbeath in the Challenge Cup in midweek. Paul Nugent made a welcome return after a long absence to replace Paul Hay whilst Sean Roycroft replaced Andy Graham in the centre of a 4 man defence. The impressive Marek Tomana was in midfield in place of Chris Aitken whilst David O’Brien came in for the injured Devine.
The Binos got off to the best possible start when they took the lead after 6 minutes when Dene Shields got his first goal for the club heading home an O’Brien cross. However, the lead was short lived as Stranraer equalised 4 minutes later when Hamilton scored after Forsyth had missed a McMullan cross.
Stranraer then took the lead in 16 minutes when McNally put the ball into his own net when McMullan took advantage of more poor defending to send a cross into the 6 yard box.
Tomana then scored a peach of a goal after 34 minutes to once again level the scores. The Slovakian gathered the ball inside the 18 yard box and weaved his way past 2 defenders before sending a right foot shot past Morrison.
Burns became the first player to be booked when he brought down O’Brien as the winger was in full flight.
Cramb had a chance to put the Binos into the lead just before half time but his right foot shot curled away from goal.
Stranraer made a change at half time, bringing on one time Albion target McGroarty for another pre season Albion target, Wright.
The Binos went behind for the second time in the match, almost from the re-start when Moore scored from an almost impossible angle after Burns had chipped the ball over the defence. Hamilton should have increased Stranraer’s lead a few minutes later but he was unable to get on the end of the cross. Roycroft was then booked for a foul on the aforesaid Hamilton.
The Binos were starting to dominate proceedings and they decided to revert to a 3 man defence when Gibson replaced Roycroft after 70 minutes. Fraser then had an effort from 25 yards which was well held by Morrison.
With just over 10 minutes left, Cashmore came on for Cramb, and it was the substitute who levelled the match with only 2 minutes left when Shields headed a Nugent cross back to Cashmore who scored from close range.
The Binos almost snatched victory in added time when Bell, Cashmore and Gibson all missed a Forsyth cross. However, the match finished with honours even.
This was a much better performance than midweek but sloppy defending is putting a lot of pressure on the front players. However, Shields showas a lot of good touches and Tomana works tirelessly in midfield. Nugent looked good despite his long lay off and the Binos’ fans can look forward to the next few weeks with some degree of optimism provided they can stop giving away stupid goals.
Next up is the local derby at Alloa in what promises to a different game from the Stirlingshire Cup tie in pre season especially as Alloa recorded their first league victory of the current campaign at Forfar.