Our Ladbrokes League 2 campaign got off to a disappointing start as Berwick claimed the points on a sunny afternoon at Shielfield.
Stirling had much the better of the first half but struck the woodwork on three separate occasions and also had a goal disallowed.
Robbie Horn’s men came out strongly in the second half and midfielder Ross Brown, a recent signing from Airdrie, got the winner in 65 minutes.
Binos boss Dave Mackay was without injured pair Darren Barr and Darren Smith while Kevin Moon and Kyle Banner were suspended. Lee Hamilton returned to the side and on-loan Dundee keeper Calum Ferrie got the nod ahead of Cammy Binnie.
Dominic Docherty (twice) and Neil McLaughlin both rattled the frame of the goal as half-time approached and Fell was unlucky to be denied by the offside flag when he latched on to a superb pass from Jason Marr and looped a header over keeper Sean Brennan.
Berwick, who hadn’t scored in the Betfred Cup, looked a different team in the second half and Ferrie made a couple of good saves from Paul Willis before Brown sliced through the defence to score with a confident finish low into the net.
The biggest disappointment was our lack of reaction to going behind and we barely troubled Brennan in the Berwick goal, although Mark Stewart should have done better with an opportunity late in the game.
Berwick Rangers: Brennan, Orru, O’Kane, Wilson, Todd (Fleming 89), Lavery (Murphy 79), Willis, Phillips, Cook, Healy (Murrell 72), Brown. Subs (not used): Adams (GK), Davie, Rose.
Scorer: Ross Brown 65
Stirling Albion: Ferrie, McGeachie, Allan, Hamilton, Marr, Docherty, Stewart, Jardine, P MacDonald, Fell (Watson 69), McLaughlin (McLaren 82). Subs (not used): Binnie (GK), Young, Thomson, M MacDonald, C MacDonald.
Referee: Chris Graham
Crowd: 520
