Stirling Albion came from behind, a feat they have not managed to do in the league this season when the opposition have scored first, to record a narrow 3-2 victory over a Forfar team which finished a match with 10 men for the second week running.

The Binos’ starting line up showed 2 changes to the team which lost at Brechin last week. Stewart Devine, free of suspension, lined up at left back whilst David O’Brien returned to the left of a midfield 4 of McDonald, Canning, Aitken and O’Brien.

At a very cold and windy Forthbank, Forfar made the early running and they had claims for a penalty turned down when the ball appeared to strike Paul Nugent’s arm. However, the referee adjudged it to be ball to hand and waved play on. 5 minutes after that, Forfar took the lead through Paul Tosh when he rose unchallenged to send a corner from the left past Hogarth. 1-0 to Forfar.

Just before the half hour mark, the Binos equalised in spectacular fashion when Chris Aitken sent a longe range effort from the left past Brown. Aitken scored a spectacular goal last week and looks to have given the midfield a scoring threat which they have not had this season. 1-1.

Shortly after that, McNally was booked for a foul. The Binos then took the lead in 32 minutes when a Stewart Devine free kick from the all of 40 yards was missed by everyone and ended up in the back of the net although Brown did manage to get a hand to it. However, he was unable to prevent the ball ending up in the back of the net. 2-1 to the Binos.

Just before half time, Paul Tosh was sent off after colliding with McDonald in the Stirling penalty area. The referee indicated the use of an elbow. Half time came with the score 2-1 in favour of the Binos.

Shortly after the re-start, Chris Scotland came on for Mark McNally. This move proved very popular with the disappointingly small home crowd judging by the applause which greeted the change.

Just on the hour mark, the Binos increased their lead when O’Brien collected a pass from Robert Dunn and cut it back to Di Giacomo. The Killie player made no mistake as he side footed the ball home from close range. 3-1 to the Binos and the game looked over. Lunan of Forfar was booked before the game re-started.

However, Forfar were determined to take something from the match in their fight to avoid relegation and started to dominate the game. With 7 minutes remaining, they pulled one back when Shields capitalised on Hogarth failing to collect a cross from the left and slotted home to make it 3-2.

The last 5 minutes saw a spate of bookings with Di Giacomo being booked for handling the ball, Scotland for a foul on McClune and Shields for his part in the aftermath of the Scotland offence. Forrest was also booked in the final minute. Earlier, Dunn should have wrapped the game up, but he blasted the ball over from close range.

This result should erase any lingering relegation worries whilst preserving some aspirations of promotion. However, the team face a run of three away matches and everything might change depending on those results.

I would like to apologise for this report being shorter than normal but, by the time most of you read it, I will have started my journey to New York for a holiday which I am looking forward to very much. Whilst I am away, I look forward to logging onto the internet to catch up on the midweek match at Alloa and next Saturday’s trip to Berwick.

See you all at Cappielow in 2 weeks time.