Albion fight back to grab points as Cowden left to rue red card

Ten-man Cowdenbeath suffered a narrow defeat at Forthbank as Stirling gained revenge for a 1-0 loss at Central Park in October.

Gary Bollan’s men triumphed that afternoon despite playing for an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of Gary Fraser, but on this occasion the 35th-minute red card given to defender Robbie Deas proved too big a handicap as the Binos notched up a third straight home win.

The Blue Brazil were without the suspended Jason Talbot for their first visit to this ground since a 2-2 draw in March after the defender was sent off in the 2-0 home defeat to leaders Edinburgh City.

Cowdenbeath were ahead after just nine minutes when Jason Marr was short with a pass back and former Airdrie and Wolves player Jordan Allan nipped in to beat on-loan Dundee keeper Calum Ferrie with a low shot.

Peter MacDonald came close to equalising with a free-kick that flew wide but in general the visitors were looking comfortable, only for the game to turn in a before half-time.

Stirling were awarded a penalty when Deas brought down MacDonald just inside the box and former Falkirk striker Dylan Mackin coolly converted the spot-kick.

There was worse to follow for the Fifers in first-half stoppage time – Darren Smith laid the ball off to midfielder Dom Docherty and he sent a first-time drive low past David McGurn from the edge of the area for his fifth goal of the season.

Mackin missed a great chance to add a third Stirling goal on the hour mark when he was thwarted by McGurn and Cowden were in the game until the end but they failed to create anything clear-cut, with a couple of Jamie Pyper headers from corners comfortably saved.

Cowdenbeath No 2 Mark Fotheringham was sent to the stand in the dying minutes after exchanging words with the assistant referee when the visitors were penalised for a foul throw-in.

Binos boss Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “It’s a great three points but I was frustrated with our performance in the second half because we neglected our shape.” 10-minute spell