Stirling Albion return to Forthbank tomorrow when Albion Rovers visit in cinch League Two.
The Binos have been away from home on the last two weekends, losing 3-1 to Annan Athletic at Galabank but recovering to beat Stranraer 3-0 at Stair Park last time out.
It was a welcome return to winning ways for Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side, who lost their last League Two fixture at Forthbank by a 3-1 margin to leaders Kelty Hearts.
Albion Rovers kicked off their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Edinburgh City then drew with Stenhousemuir but have lost their last two matches to Elgin City and Annan Athletic.
No fewer than five Stirling players made the switch to the Coatbridge club in the summer, which adds an extra layer of interest to this weekend’s fixture.
Goalkeeper Cammy Binnie, defender Aldin El-Zubaidi, midfielder David Wilson, winger Scott Roberts and striker Declan Byrne all joined Brian Reid’s side.
The teams met just twice last season, with Stirling winning 1-0 at the Reigart Stadium in November while it finished 1-1 at Forthbank in April. Rutkiewicz’s side beat Peterhead 3-1 at Forthbank in the Premier Sports Cup but are without a win in six home league games since beating Stenhousemuir 1-0 on Tuesday, March 30 thanks to a goal from midfielder Jack Leitch.
Since then, they have drawn with Albion Rovers, lost to Stranraer, Edinburgh City and Queen’s Park, drawn with Stranraer, and lost to Kelty Hearts and that poor run cost them a play-off place last term.
Dylan Mackin, Ray Grant and Ross McGeachie got the goals against Stranraer on Saturday as Albion eased to a 3-0 win – their first victory over the Blues since an 8-2 thrashing in January 2009.
Recent signings Ciaran Summers and Daniel Scally both made their debuts as substitutes while Blair Currie claimed his second clean sheet, having shut out Stenhousemuir on the opening day.
Rutkiewicz said: “It was important to bounce back from the two defeats and I was delighted to see us score three goals at Stranraer. It wasn’t a perfect performance but the boys showed character and quality and now we need to focus on maintaining our levels.
“We could have had more goals by the end but it was nice to score two goals in the space of a couple of minutes in the first half because we have been on the receiving end of that
recently.
“With players coming back we have a strong squad to choose from and that is important.
“We know we need to do better at home and we need to build momentum. We obviously know the Albion Rovers squad well and the qualities they have but we want to end the month with nine points.”
Meanwhile, Stirling are back on the road next weekend to play cinch League One leaders Montrose in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy at Links Park.
The clubs agreed a 1.30pm kick-off due to Scotland’s World Cup qualifier with Moldova later that evening.
If the Binos can spring a surprise against Stewart Petrie’s side they will be at home to Celtic’s B team or Morton in the third round on the weekend of October 9/10.
