Our new Stirling Albion blogger Ben Ramage reflects on Binos relegation fight

There was cautious optimism among the travelling Albion fans that made their way to Airdie to take on the Diamonds at the Excelsior Stadium.

This came on the back of a much improved performance against Brechin City the previous weekend, as well as the welcome addition of reinforcements in the form of loan signings Andy Stirling and Adam Cummins.

Andy Stirling joined from Dunfermline, a proven SPFL League One winger who Bino fans hope will provide goal scoring opportunities which have been sorely lacking up front this season.

Highly rated young defender Adam Cummins joined from Motherwell, the twenty-one year old facing the unenviable task of fixing a defence which has leaked goals for much of this years campaign.

Both started the weekend game, and this optimism was justified instantly with Albion taking an early lead after just three minutes when Ross McGeachie turned in Lewis Coult's header after it rebounded off the post.

Confidence almost seemed high amongst McLarens boys, who held on, albeit by the skin of their teeth, until half time and looked set to gain at least a vital away point in the scrap to avoid relegation.

However, the new additions couldnt help the Binos slumping to the familiar story of their season so far.

Some shambolic defending led to a collapse in the second half, with Albion keeper Paterson harshly adjudged to have brought down James Lister resulting in a penalty, which was duly dispatched by Bryan Prunty.

Airdrieonians then proceeded to fire in another three in just twenty-five minutes to comfortably take the three points, with a double from Lister and another Prunty effort leaving Stirling once again staring down the barrel of relegation.

The only highlight of the second half for the travelling Albion fans was the welcome sight of returning striker Darren Smith, who made his first appearance for four months late on. Even this was tempered though as it was too late for him to ever turn the tide of the match.

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Our new Stirling Albion blogger Ben Ramage reflects on Binos relegation fight