An unchanged Rose XI was backed by a buoyant travelling support at Forthbank as the Rose looked to upset the apple cart by defeating hosts Stirling Albion — who came into the tie on an eight-game unbeaten run.

The first fixture at Forthbank for the Rose this season was marred with refereeing controversy and history appeared to be repeating itself in the opening five minutes when two penalty appeals from Zander Murray went unnoticed.

The first clear chance of the tie came in the 10th minute when Dale Carrick raced down the right flank and cut the ball back to Leitch, who’s mishit strike landed perfectly into the path of Danny Denholm. The winger’s sweet strike smashed off the post and out of danger.

Less than a minute later, Rose took the lead through Callum Connolly. Murray knocked down Lee Currie’s dangerous corner into the path of Connolly, who thrashed volley into the ground which bounced through a sea of bodies to gift Rose the opener.

The hosts, eager to equalise sooner rather than later, tested Paddy Martin for the first time just inside 20 minutes. A superb ball over the top from Paul McLean was taken down effortlessly by Denholm, who spun his man and let off a powerful strike that seemed destined to hit the net, before an outstretched Martin parried the ball out to safety.

Another tremendous long ball over the top from a Stirling defender was taken down exceptionally well by the typically speedy Dale Carrick, but he couldn’t out pace Alan Horne before being forced into a rushed lob effort that trickled wide of the post.

A blank 20 minutes across the break was soon ended by the Binos grabbing their equaliser in the 57th minute. Substitute Robert Thomson fumbled his touch while attempting to take down a lofted cross by Carrick. Fortunately for the home side, the ball fell into the path of Dundee United loanee Flynn Duffy, who rifled home his first ever senior goal to level proceedings.

A gilt-edged chance fell the way of Rose ten minutes later when Kieran Mitchell found himself bearing down on goal. A couple of awkward bounces, slips and touches allowed the forward to break beyond the last man, but Mitch found himself caught in two minds when it came to taking aim and placed his effort wide.

Yet another quiet 20 minutes was again broken by a Stirling Albion goal. Just as the clock ticked over 90, The Binos potentially benefitted from an incorrect decision regarding a throw-in before some lovely passing football got the hosts in behind the Rose defence. Leitch made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom corner to spark the home support into life.

Tensions boiled over following the full-time whistle, with melees breaking out and some unsavoury words were exchanged as the hosts sealed all three points.

The Rose are back on home turf this Saturday as East Fife make the trip down to NDP.

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