There was no shortage of entertainment and Albion deserved a draw from a captivating encounter at Forthbank.
But ultimately, they were beaten by Queen’s Park for the third time this season.
A double from midfielder Mark Ferry wasn’t enough to prevent Greig McDonald’s side from slipping to their second 3-2 setback in the space of a week. There was plenty of encouragement from the performances against both Montrose and Queen’s Park, but no points to show for it.
In truth, this game could have ended 5-5 given the chances created by both teams. Stirling were left to rue missed opportunities while their inability to keep the back door shut came back to haunt them as they reached the halfway stage of the campaign a point adrift at the bottom.
Albion can only look on enviously at a Queen’s Park team who climbed to second spot on the back of their fifth away win of 2012/13 – only Rangers have a better record on the road.
Stirling were hampered by the loss of central defenders Gary Thom and Brian Allison to suspension and injury and a one-match ban forced Graham Weir to miss his first league game of the season.
Jamie Clark and Kieran McAnespie were paired in the centre of defence and Danny Ashe slotted in at left-back. U19 defender Jack Stickler was named in the squad for the first time and made his debut as a late sub, with teenage striker Sandy Cunningham also impressive when he came off the bench.
Top scorer Jordan White returned from a ban and almost gave Stirling a dream start in two minutes but Neil Parry made a vital save to deny the seven-goal hitman and Stephen Day’s follow-up was also blocked.
Sean Burns missed a glorious opportunity when he fired over at the other end but Gardner Speirs’ men took the lead in 28 minutes when a cross from the touchline from 17-year-old Aidan Connolly, son of former Albion favourite Paddy, beat everyone and ended up in the net.
It was a horrible goal to lose and Stirling found themselves further behind in 54 minutes when on-loan St Mirren defender Paul McGinn blasted a stunning angled drive into the roof of the net after a quick break.
Ferry volleyed home after Parry had done well to keep out a Scott Davidson effort as the Binos quickly hit back but the Spiders’ response was a wonderful 30-yard free-kick from ex-Celt Tony McParland that made it 3-1 midway through the second half.
Stirling weren’t done, though, and Clark headed over from a corner before Ferry nodded in from close range with 15 minutes left after the visitors had failed to clear their lines.
Albion almost equalised but Ferry couldn’t quite force the ball in, while at the other end Mark Peat saved well from Michael Keenan and a deflected shot hit the post as Stirling’s hopes of a third straight home win in the league for the first time since September 2009 disappeared.
