Poacher keeps the record intact

stirling albion 2-1 East Fife

SECOND Division Stirling made it through to the third round of the Scottish Cup for the 11th season in succession but that admirable record might have perished on a miserable afternoon at Forthbank.

Their lower league opponents, East Fife, who had won on this ground on their previous visit a year ago and had knocked Stirling out when their cup paths last crossed in 1992-93, proved stubborn opponents and probably deserved a replay.

The goal-poaching instinct of Ally Graham, who struck the winner in the 56th minute, ensured they did not as Albion gained revenge for a League Cup defeat at Methil on the opening day of the season.

East Fife arrived at Forthbank with a fair bit of Scottish Cup history behind them, even if the last of their three final appearances did come decades ago. Stirling, on the other hand, have never gone beyond the quarter-final stages. Last year's win over Hibs was notable and their fans will be hoping today's draw conjures up further possibilities of fairytales.

Albion's main feeling in reaching the third round will surely be one of relief. They rarely played well against East Fife but kept their nerve after conceding an early goal and eventually did just enough to scramble through. East Fife, playing a well-organised 3-5- 2 formation, with Kenny Munro and Richard Gibb pounding the flanks to good effect, started well and took the lead after seven minutes.

Graham Robertson swung over a corner and Gerald O'Hara (on loan from Falkirk) scored with a header that was powerful and true.

Stirling though were soon level. David McCallum's cross was nodded back across goal by Ally Graham and Andy Whiteford arrived to steer a shot past Willie McCulloch from six yards.

The visitors who were anchored in defence by player manager Rab Shannon refused to buckle and in the minutes before half-time, should have made a significant mark on this game. In the 39th minute Shannon had a header instinctively saved by Gow before setting up Robertson, who drove the ball into the net only to be denied, somewhat surprisingly, by a linesman's flag.

Stirling belatedly found some composure and won the game in 56 minutes when Graham reacted quickest to prod home a John McQuade cross at the near post.

Earlier only a miraculous save from McCulloch prevented the striker from scoring but his 13th goal of the season could prove invaluable for the financially-stricken Forthbank side.

East Fife, meanwhile, are now free to concentrate on gaining promotion from Division Three. Their current second position belies a turbulent few months around Bayview, which has seen former manager Steve Kirk dismissed. But if the Fifers continue to display the commitment they showed against Stirling they may well prove their tag as title favourites was justified.

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