Brechin won for the first time since beating Buckie Thistle in November as we suffered our second defeat in Betfred Cup Group D.

Mark Stewart’s first goal for the Binos cancelled out Boris Melingui’s opener but Callum Tapping curled in a superb shot from 20 yards with just a few minutes left.

We went into the game on the back of a 4-0 loss to Dundee while Darren Dods’ side had lost on penalties to Peterhead after a 0-0 draw at Glebe Park. Darren Barr and Darren Smith were again ruled out but Jordan Allan returned after a one-match ban.

Brechin started brightly and deservedly went ahead in 17 minutes when Melingui – a recent signing from Leek Town – got on the end of a long ball to loop a header over Cammy Binnie.

Jamie Henry missed a good chance for the visitors but we had recovered from a shaky opening spell and equalised just before the break when sub Peter MacDonald set up Stewart to score from close range.

For half an hour of the second half Stirling looked more likely to win but Conor Brennan made a key save after Stewart was sent clear by Kevin Fell’s brilliant pass and we dropped out of things towards the end.

Binnie made a great save to turn Jordan Sinclair’s low drive round the post but, with penalties looming, former Hearts midfielder Tapping scored a beauty to end City’s long winless streak.

Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Allan, Hamilton (P MacDonald 34), Banner, Marr, Stewart, Jardine, McLaughlin, Moon, (Fell 46) Docherty (M MacDonald 83). Subs (not used): Law (GK), Thomson, Watson, Young.

Goal: Stewart 44

Brechin City: Brennan, McLean, Burns, Hill, C Tapping, Shields, Lynas, Smith, Morena, Melingui (Orsi 55), Henry (Sinclair 69). Subs (not used): Spark, J Tapping.

Goals: Melingui 17, C Tapping 84

Referee: David Lowe

Crowd: 334