Stirling Albion went out of the SPFL Trust Trophy on Wednesday night when they were beaten on penalties by Highland League Brechin City at Glebe Park.
Two misses from the spot by Jack Leitch – one in injury-time to win the game and another in the shootout – meant Darren Young’s men lost 5-4 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw with Andy Kirk’s outfit.
And now the Binos will be without a game on the weekend of September 24/25 when the last 32 of the competition takes place.
Marc Scott gave City an early lead but Dale Carrick equalised in the second half. Stirling had a chance to win the game in stoppage time but Leitch missed from the penalty spot.
Stirling led 4-2 in the shootout after conversions from Harrison Clark, Ross Davidson, Cammy Clark and Kyle Banner and a Callum Law save from Scott. But Lenny Wilson then saved from both Danny Denholm and Leitch, allowing Seth Patrick to net the decisive kick for the home team.
There were seven changes to the Stirling side that won 2-1 at Annan at the weekend but it was still a strong-looking line-up for Albion’s first visit to Glebe Park since a 5-0 win in November 2020. Former East Fife midfielder Davidson made his debut as a substitute after missing the early weeks of the season due to injury.
Brechin went into the tie with a 100 per cent record in the Highland League and having knocked the Hibs B team out on penalties in the first round a fortnight ago.
City went in front after 11 minutes when Scott got clear of the defence and rounded Law to score. An offside flag denied the Angus club a second goal shortly before the break when Jordan Northcott found the net, after Denholm had come close to an equaliser.
Carrick grabbed the leveller from close range just before the hour mark after being set up by Denholm, but the top scorer – and regular penalty taker – had been replaced shortly before Stirling were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Aaron Dunsmore was brought down.
Leitch took the responsibility but he was thwarted by former Peterhead keeper Wilson, who also kept out the follow-up and was the home hero in the shootout as City prevailed.
Stirling head for New Dundas Park to play SPFL newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose tomorrow, with both clubs having taken seven points from their opening four games.
Robbie Horn’s men suffered their first defeat last weekend when they were beaten by Albion Rovers but they will be keen to make amends, while the Binos are chasing a third straight league win.
Bonnyrigg won the Lowland League in 2021/22 then beat Fraserburgh and Cowdenbeath in the play-offs to take their place in the SPFL. They sit in third place in cinch League Two, ahead of Stirling on goal difference.
The referee for tomorrow’s game is George Calder and admission is pay at the gate.
