University of Stirling 2 Cowdenbeath 1

CALUM Elliot was able to field a more familiar line up at Forthbank last night but saw his side go down to a narrow Lowland League defeat after taking the lead, writes Andy Mullen.

The result leaves the Blue Brazil locked in a mid-table position.

The first clear cut chance of the night came with nine minutes gone when Josh Jack saw his seven yard shot turned around the post by keeper Yan Gromov Godik.

Then a couple of minutes later, at the other end, Ben MacIver-Redwood fired over the bar, then a low angled drive from Cammy McKinley was held by keeper Josh Blair.

Blair then blocked an effort from Ciaran McAninch with his legs as the hosts looked to take the lead.

However, after absorbing the spell of pressure it was the Blue Brazil who opened the scoring with 19 minutes gone, when Zac BUTTERWORTH fired home from close range.

Six minutes from the break Stirling got back on level terms when James STOKES found the net with a low shot from just inside the box.

The winning goal came with 64 minutes on the clock when a corner was headed on to the post and fell to STOKES who sent a diving header into the net.

With five minutes remaining Cowden almost grabbed an equaliser when sub Daryl Healy got on the end of a Jamie Docherty cross but his first time shot was brilliantly saved by Gromov Godik.

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING: Gromov Godik; Aslanoglu, Service, Laverty, Scally, De Zoeten (Russell 60), Heal, McAninch, McKinley, MacIver-Redwood, Stokes. Subs not used – Vonk, Wolosyzn, Mirasalimov, Docherty, Malcolm and Davilla.

COWDENBEATH: Blair; G MacPherson, Tait (Rodden 73), McNab, Donald, Chalmers (Docherty 73), MacDonald, McLaughlin, E MacPherson, Jack (Healy 73), Butterworth. Subs not used – Hepburn, Berry, Jordan and Turner.

REFEREE: Ryan Kennedy

ATTENDANCE: 100