Jonny Stewart made two changes to the starting lineup that beat Gala Fairydean Rovers in midweek - the aforementioned Hogarth replaced Alassan Jones in midfield while Cal Connolly made way for Kerr Young in defence.

Straight from the get-go, Rose controlled most of possession and their best goalscoring chances came through set play. Neil Martyniuk headed over from the first corner of the match and Kieran Watson struck the woodwork from point-blank range with Rose’s second.

Rose would get their breakthrough from a corner - just not in the way anyone expected. Lee Currie delivered an in-swinging ball deep towards the back post which evaded every head and nestled in the top corner for a 1-0 lead after 38 minutes.

Stirling cheaply gave the ball away from the kick-off immediately after and Rose swiftly countered through Scott Robinson. He slipped a ball into the penalty area for Josh Laing who was brought to ground by Ewan Walker.

Jordan Smith converted the resulting penalty, firing beyond the reach of Alex Sutherland for a 2-0 lead.

Taylor Hogarth added a third on the stroke of half-time. A loose ball fell kindly for the midfielder to brilliantly half-volley into the top right corner from outside the penalty area.

Stirling responded early on in the second half with a spot-kick of their own. After Neil Martyniuk was deemed to have blocked a cross with his arm, Lewis Blane stepped up and scored from 12 yards to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

Their foot back in the game was short-lived. Robinson’s hold-up play had been excellent all game and it finally paid dividends. With his back to goal he laid the ball into the stride of Hogarth who effortlessly picked out the top corner with a curling effort.

Hogarth got his hat-trick after 72 minutes with a far more simple finish. Lee Currie looked to set Jordan Smith away with a ball over the top and while Sutherland was able to block his attempt, the ball broke kindly for Hogarth to tap into an empty net for 5-1.

Just five minutes later, Stirling University midfielder Lennox Tendhar saw a straight red card for a high challenge on Josh Laing.

Mackenzie Scott got in on the act with just a few minutes left to play, beating his man to head home from an enticing Kieran Somerville cross.

Rose’s six-goal display has moved them to sixth in the table and three points behind second-placed Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

Rose have two home fixtures in the KDM Evolution Trophy next week, hosting Airdrieonians on Tuesday night and Motherwell B on Saturday afternoon.