Stirling boss hails young guns impact as Binos keep playoff hopes alive (2025)

A first-ever senior goal by teenager Cooper Knox sealed the points for Stirling in Elgin - as the Binos kept in touch in the race for the final League Two promotion play-off spot.

A pair of new fresh-faced favourites helped Stirling Albion keep their late run for a League Two promotion play-off spot alive.

The Binos travelled north to Moray knowing only a win at Borough Briggs against fourth placed Elgin City would do in cutting the eight-point gap between the sides.

Stirling had claimed victory in the sides’ last two meetings - and showed once again that they had the Black and Whites’ number with a confident display, summed up by strikes in either half by Dale Carrick and Cooper Knox.

The 18-year-old Knox - a former Rangers and Falkirk youth product before heading into the Binos system - signed his first professional contract with Stirling earlier this season and impressed with a calm finish to send the points back down the road.

Stirling boss Alan Maybury - who gave another youngster in forward Kodi McKinstray a cameo first senior appearance late in the game - was keen to talk up some of his young stars as the Binos continue to wrestle with injury and unavailability.

The Irishman told Stirling Albion media manager Matt Reid: “Cooper has been asked to play a number of positions in the last few weeks - on the left, on the right and then in the middle of the pitch when Leyton Grant went off injured today.

“He played in the centre of midfield up here last time and I thought he’s been excellent on both occasions.

“I’m really delighted for him because ever since he came into the squad in the summer, he’s been brilliant for us.

“We’ve had to use him differently but he has become a valued member of the squad and he got his rewards for that today.

“The defence saw it out really well and a special mention for young Scott Constable - only 17 but blocked everything, won every header, he’s hobbling around at the end but he was different class for us today.

The spring sunshine was out for a bumper crowd on ‘ladies day’ at Borough Briggs - but the Stirling boss said the conditions made it difficult for either side to put together strong passages of play on an afternoon characterised by scrappy football.

But Maybury believes his side thoroughly merited the points that leave them five points behind Elgin and firmly in a three-way scrap for the fourth place spot, with the trip of Stranraer to Forthbank on the way on Saturday.

“It was difficult early on for us with the wind, the pitch, the sun - the game was just so lively in that opening part and neither team was really sure where the ball was going”, Maybury continued.

“But we managed to settle down and play some good football and when we did what we set out to do and get some width into the game, then we caused some problems, created some chances before we scored and then have a really good goal to go in at half-time.

“They had us pinned in a little at the start of the second half as well just because the ball was holding up on the wind when it was going in behind us but we managed it well, got the second and hit the post, the keeper made a few saves for them as well.

“I don’t think Gats was overly worked in the periods where they were on top in the game; there will be those periods where we’re pinned back a little and teams have the ball in our half but it doesn’t mean we’re giving up chances and we’re dangerous on the break.”