Stirling Albion boss Darren Young warned his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground as they celebrated moving top of the league with a 3-1 win at Stenhousemuir.
The win at Ochilview was a scrappy affair, but the Binos proved their mettle against another of League Two’s fancied promotion hopefuls in a match that swung both ways over the course of the 90 minutes.
Dale Carrick’s seventh league goal of the season once again got Albion off to a flyer inside two minutes, but they were forced to rally after Nat Wedderburn brought the hosts deservedly level before half-time.
But late goals from Paul McLean and Aaron Dunsmore ensured the points made the short trip back up the road to Stirling as the table-topping Binos jumped above Dumbarton after their 1-1 draw at home to Albion Rovers.
Young paid tribute to his side’s character but said there would be no popping of champagne corks with almost three-quarters of the season left to go.
The Albion gaffer said: “I’m delighted, it was a different kind of win, we had to grind it out.
“First half, after we took the lead, it was a pretty even game and then Stenny came into it for maybe 15-20 minutes and they were pressing and pushing and they were probably on top when they scored.
“We held out to half-time to see if it would be a different game and we felt it was, we felt as if we were in the ascendancy second half and got the goal.
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“We should have had a penalty and I think one of their players should have been sent off as well but these things sometimes go for you and sometimes don’t but the three points are the main thing.
“From the start of the season, we spoke about our ambitions but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves and getting too excited with where we are just now. We’re at the top now and if it was the 35th game and we were four points clear, then I’ll be excited but for now it’s another win and a great start to this quarter – six points from six so far.”
A test of the Albion squad’s depth was also witnessed at Ochilview, with Harrison Clark forced to step in for key midfield creator Jack Leitch in the Binos engine room.
Young has expressed his confidence in his side’s capabilities this season but emphasised that everyone across his squad has the ability to step in if standards don’t remain high.
“It’s about having the desire and determination when things aren’t quite going your way or when it is a windy day or cold, rainy, whatever”, Young added.
“We know they are a really good team and expect them to be up there challenging at the end of the season. We’ve got a wee bit of momentum now, but one thing is for sure, we won’t get carried away and if the boys aren’t at it, then we have players on the bench who can step in and take their place.”
