Published: Monday, 9th March, 2009 2:34pm

Penalty decision turns derby match

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Alloa 2 v 3 Stirling Albion

A POOR decision by the referee to award Stirling Albion a penalty helped the visitors win a pulsating five goal thriller at the Recs.

Less than ten minutes into the second half referee Scot MacDonald awarded a penalty to the Binos when Ross Forsyth fell to the ground after minimal contact with Scot Buist.

And David McKenna made no mistake from the spot to level the game with 54 minutes on the clock.

"The penalty to Stirling changed the game," Allan Maitland said after the full-time whistle.

But it had started so brightly for Maitland's men when after only five minutes Stuart Noble blasted the opener from close range.

Minutes later, Noble almost bagged his second but this time keeper Scott Christie pushed his effort past the post.

Alloa continued to press and Pat Scullion saw his 20 yard screamer well saved by Christie before man of the match Brown Ferguson struck a long range free-kick that was only inches over.

It should have been two for the hosts on 51 minutes but John Grant shot wildly over the top from close range.

And the Wasps were made to pay for that miss when McKenna converted from the spot in 54 minutes.

Then Martin Grehan edged Stirling in front when he beat Ray Jellema with a spectacular volley.

It was all square after 62 minutes, though, when Pat Scullion latched onto a loose ball inside the area and drove the ball low and hard past Christie.

But with 17 minutes remaining, McKenna bagged his second and Stirling's third when he tapped in at the back post.

Ferguson had a great opportunity to restore parity late on but he headed the ball agonisingly past the post.

Despite the defeat gaffer Maitland felt it was a great game of football. He said, "In my three years here that was easily the best match I have been involved in."