Ross County sealed top spot in Group D and Arbroath also went through to the last 16 after beating Elgin as we finished fourth, ahead of Montrose.

This was our first visit to Dingwall since a 0-0 draw in a First Division game in February 2011 and there were around 300 fans in attendance at the Global Energy Stadium.

Goals from Oli Shaw, Ross Stewart and Regan Charles-Cook earned the Staggies the points but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from the performance against a Premiership side.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side had barely threatened before they went ahead in 20 minutes. Stewart nodded the ball down and Shaw’s shot had enough power on it to beat Cammy Binnie.

Stirling carved out a couple of good openings and were well in the game at the break but a penalty conceded early in the second half made it an uphill battle. Jermaine Hylton was tripped in the box and Stewart’s spot-kick found the corner, despite Binnie getting a hand to the ball.

David Wilson came close with a header from a Ross McGeachie cross but County scored again when Charles-Cook curled a 20 yarder into the bottom corner. Substitute Matt Wright hit the bar for the home side late on and Binnie also made some good saves as it finished 3-0.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Shaw (Mckay 42), Vigurs, Grivosti, Hylton, Iacovitti (Williamson 81), Charles-Cook (MacKinnon 81), Tillson, Donaldson (Morris 74), Stewart (Wright 81), Reid. Subs (not used): Munro (GK), Lakin, Kelly, Paton.

Scorers: Shaw 20, Stewart pen 50, Charles-Cook 71

Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Banner, El-Zubaidi, McGregor, Creaney (Moore 68), K Roberts, Wilson (Magee 76), Byrne (Ryan 82), Leitch (Heaver 82), Docherty (Mackin 68). Subs (not used): Law (GK), Thomson.

Referee: Alan Muir