Brechin 2 Stirling 1
Albion went down to a late goal at sun-kissed Glebe Park on Tuesday night as an encouraging performance failed to reap any reward in Betfred Cup Group B.
Binos boss Stuart McLaren made five changes to the team that beat Falkirk while Ross Smith (suspended), Ross McGeachie and Aurelien Mazel were joined on the sidelines by Moses Olanrewaju.
Alan Trouten struck from close range three minutes from time after being picked out by Ally Love as Brechin began their campaign with a narrow win in a match that looked to be heading for penalties.
Love opened the scoring in 14 minutes when he latched on to a long ball and took advantage of some defensive uncertainty to fire past Cammy Binnie.
We recovered well and equalised six minutes before the interval when Eddie Ferns was brought down by Gareth Rodger and ex-Berwick striker Blair Henderson tucked the penalty into the corner to open his account.
For the second game in a row former Alloa forward Ferns impressed with his strong running and he was again voted Betfred man of the match.
Ross Forsyth was denied by the crossbar when he hooked the ball beyond Graeme Smith following a corner early in the second half before Binnie saved well from Ross Caldwell at the other end 60 seconds later.
We didn’t deserve to lose but Darren Dods’ side – who won eight of their last 10 games to preserve their Ladbrokes League 1 status – claimed the points when Trouten pounced, as we lost 2-1 at this venue for the third time in a row.
Our next game in Betfred Cup Group B is against Elgin City at Forthbank next Tuesday, July 26, kick-off 7.45pm.
Brechin City: G Smith, C O’Neil, Dyer, McCormack, Hill, Rodger, Trouten, E Smith (Lynas 88), Caldwell (Jackson 64) Graham, Love.
Subs (not used): Ford, Fusco, Dods, P O’Neil (GK).
Goals: Love 14, Trouten 87
Stirling Albion: Binnie, Mills, Hodge, McKenzie, Henderson, Ferns (D Smith 70), Verlaque, Burns (McCue 46), Scott Davidson (McMillan 64) Dickson, Forsyth.
Subs (not used): Sam Davidson, McAllister, Docherty, Fallens (GK).
Goal: Henderson pen 39
Referee: Graham Beaton
Crowd: 362
