Defender Jordan McGregor scored the only goal as we made it four away wins on the trot to stay two points behind Elgin City in the race for the play-offs.

It was the perfect response to the 2-1 home defeat to Elgin the previous week and means we have won five and drawn one of our last six road trips.

Edinburgh had twice beaten us 1-0 in 2019/20 and it was another tight game but this time one that went in our favour thanks to an excellent team performance, with on-loan Rangers keeper Nicky Hogarth probably man of the match after a number of fine saves.

Manager Kevin Rutkiewicz made one change to the team, with Kyle Banner replacing Danny Jardine in a change of shape to a back three. Kevin Nicoll, Jordan Lowdon, Blair Currie and Cammy Binnie were all ruled out while new loan signing Ronan Hughes from Hamilton Accies was on the bench, along with trialist goalkeeper Owen Stott.

This wasn’t a contest of many chances but it was title-chasing City who came closest to scoring in the first half at Ainslie Park. Hogarth did well to tip a Liam Henderson header over the bar after the big defender got free in the box then he made a superb save from a Craig Thomson free-kick.

Remarkably, we have yet to concede an away league goal in the first half this season and Hogarth came to the rescue again early in the second period when he clawed away a deflected free-kick from former Hearts full-back Thomson.

We hadn’t managed to create too much in the final third but took the lead in 69 minutes with a well-worked goal. David Wilson swung over a great cross from the right wing with his weaker left foot and centre-half McGregor dived in to send a header past Calum Antell.

James McDonaugh’s men tried to hit back and on-loan Celtic winger Grant Savoury looked lively but we defended diligently and limited the hosts to few sights of goal. Substitute Blair Henderson – who scored 30 league goals last season but has managed just a couple this term – headed over from a Graeme Holmes cross late on as we held on for a big win.

Edinburgh City: Antell, Thomson, Balatoni (Savoury 46), Laird (B Henderson 74), Handling, Sinclair (Holmes 65), Wilson, Crane, Shepherd, L Henderson, Harris. Subs (not used): Mason (GK), Brown, Kane, Court.

Stirling Albion: Hogarth, McGeachie, Creaney, Banner, McLean, McGregor, Wilson, Docherty, Wright (Hughes 65), Mackin (Bikey 59), Duffy (Truesdale 90). Subs (not used): Stott (GK), Jardine, Scott, Heaver.

Goal: Jordan McGregor 69

Referee: Graham Grainger

Crowd: 336