Raith Rovers 2 Stirling Albion 3

Last updated : 14 January 2006 By Footymad Previewer

In-form Stirling Albion maintained their impressive unbeaten league run with a narrow victory over Raith Rovers in a five-goal Starks Park thriller.

A larger-than-normal crowd turned up to witness the Kirkcaldy club's first game under the ownership of the new community-based board, and the occasion was marked by a parade of former players and the attendance in the main stand of Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Both sides created chances during the early sparring, but it was the Binos who took the lead midway through the first half when a low cross from David O'Brien on the left was miscued by Paddy Connolly, the ball falling to Dougie Wilson who fired home from close range.

Stirling appeared in control at this stage, but Raith drew level just before half-time when Albion defender Paul Hay turned a Paul McManus cross into his own net while attempting to clear.

The home side took the lead seven minutes after the interval when a high tackle by Stewart Devine on McManus resulted in a penalty from which the Raith striker made no mistake.

A spot-kick award for the visitors 13 minutes later, however, after Laurie Ellis tripped Connolly, was driven home by Craig Aitken to level the scores, and Allan Moore's men took the three points with a late strike from O'Brien.