Dunfermline came from behind to top Betfred Group D with a 100% record as we finished in fourth place.
Peter MacDonald gave Stirling a half-time lead but a Myles Hippolyte double and a James Vincent goal turned the tide in the Pars’ favour.
Dave Mackay named an unchanged team to the one that beat Peterhead 2-0 last weekend, with Darren Barr, Darren Smith, Kevin Moon and Lee Hamilton again ruled out.
Allan Johnston’s side had thumped Brechin 7-1 in midweek and made a strong start, forcing several corners, but we recovered well from a difficult opening spell and grew into the game.
The deadlock was broken in 36 minutes when a good move ended with Kevin Fell setting up Peter MacDonald to beat Cammy Gill with a tidy finish.
Dunfermline looked a different team after the break and were level in 47 minutes when Hippolyte latched on to a long ball and ran clear to knock it past Cammy Binnie.
It was 2-1 nine minutes later when on-loan Dundee midfielder Vincent nodded in from close range after Faissal El Bakhtaoui’s effort from a tight angle bounced off the bar.
We should have had a penalty when Jason Marr was barged in the box but there was nothing doing and Binos boss Dave Mackay was sent to the stand in the aftermath.
The Pars wasted a number of good chances to put the game to bed but they grabbed a third goal in stoppage time. Substitute Andy Ryan hit the bar with a free-kick and Hippolyte headed the rebound into the net from close range.
Dunfermline deserved the win but there was plenty encouragement for Albion as we prepare to face Berwick Rangers at Shielfield in our Ladbrokes League 2 opener next weekend.
Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Allan, Marr, Banner, Docherty, Stewart, Jardine, P MacDonald (McLaren 77), Fell (Watson 72), McLaughlin. Subs (not used): Law (GK), Young, Thomson, M MacDonald, C MacDonald.
Goal: P MacDonald 36
Dunfermline Athletic: Gill, Craigen, J Longridge, Devine, Durnan, Ashcroft, Thomson, Vincent (Connolly 71), El Bakhtaoui (Ryan 71), L Longridge, Hippolyte. Subs (not used): Robinson (GK), Williamson, Higginbotham, McCann, Smith.
Goals: Hippolyte 47, 90, Vincent 56
Referee: Mike Roncone
Crowd: 2,359
