Robbie McIntyre scored the only goal just after half-time as we slipped to a third 1-0 defeat of the season at a blustery Ainslie Park.
The first half saw the hosts hit the woodwork three times while we were denied by the crossbar and Paul Willis had a goal disallowed for offside when he looked onside.
Midfielder McIntyre struck from close range three minutes after the interval after being picked out by Alex Harris and we rarely looked like getting back on level terms.
Binos boss Kevin Rutkiewicz made two changes to the team that beat East Fife 2-0 in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup on Tuesday. Skipper Ross McGeachie returned after a two-match ban for the suspended Kyle Banner and Blair Currie replaced Cammy Binnie in goal.
We started brightly and City were fortunate not to concede an own goal but James McDonaugh’s side then carved out a series of clear chances.
Liam Henderson fired over following a corner then Harris beat Currie, only to see his effort hit the top of the bar. Conrad Balatoni headed a Craig Thomson free-kick off the post before Blair Henderson met a corner and the ball struck the junction of post and bar.
After surviving those close calls we thought we had taken the lead on the half hour. Craig Truesdale’s diagonal ball bounced beyond the defence and Willis sent a header past Calum Antell, after going past right-back Craig Thomson, only for the flag to be raised.
Danny Jardine should have scored shortly after but Antell made a great stop. Kevin Nicoll smacked a header from a Willis corner against the crossbar while at the other end Blair Henderson missed a big opportunity as the half somehow ended 0-0.
Albion lost Paul McLean to injury at the interval and City were soon in front through McIntyre before Currie did well to prevent ex-Hibs forward Harris adding a second goal.
We struggled to make inroads and Edinburgh held on to secure the points and leave us still looking to get off the mark, with leaders Cove Rangers next up at Forthbank.
Edinburgh City: Antell, Thomson, McIntyre, Balatoni, Laird, Brown, B Henderson (Court 84), Handling (Shepherd 81), Crane, L Henderson, Harris (Kane 88). Subs (not used): Adamson (GK), Smith, Sinclair, Watson.
Goal: McIntyre 48
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Lowdon, Nicoll, Truesdale (Mackin 84), McLean (Wilson 46), Jardine, Docherty, Duffy, Willis, Peters (Hawke 46). Subs (not used): Binnie (GK), Scott, Thomson, Wright.
Referee: Gavin Ross
Crowd: 359
