Stirling Albion hope to leapfrog rivals with Kelty trip

Stirling Albion boss Darren Young believes his side’s second quarter begins in earnest with a trip to Kelty Hearts.

The Binos remain in a decent position in League One after the first quarter of games in their return to the division, with their opponents on Saturday sitting one place above Stirling on the same points haul but with a better goal difference.

Both sides fell to defeat last time out, with Stirling being edged out by league leaders Falkirk courtesy of a late Brad Spencer winner, while Kelty stumbled to a 3-1 reverse away at Alloa in a match where they had taken an early first-half lead.

The nature of the Binos’ display against the unbeaten Bairns – especially in an improved second half – will offer hope of a result, as will the 1-0 win for Stirling on the sides’ earlier meeting in this campaign.

Josh Cooper netted a winner two minutes from time in a nip-and-tuck affair at Forthbank to snatch all three points but Michael Tidser’s side will be looking for revenge at New Central Park where they boast a decent record this season.

The Fife side have only lost at home to Hamilton and Falkirk so far this season and are the joint third-highest scorers in the division alongside third-placed Montrose.

Meanwhile, for Stirling, one of the shining lights of the weekend was the strength of the Binos squad – with only a couple of notable absentees from a playing cast that has increasingly picked up in health since the early weeks of the season.

They also managed to banish their away troubles in the league with a second win on the road on their last trip away from Forthbank, producing a fine display to see off Queen of the South in Dumfries.

Stirling boss Darren Young admits his side were hurting after their late concession