By John Turnbull

Stirling Albion’s Aaron Dunsmore cut the gap to three points behind Cinch League Two leaders Dumbarton on Saturday as he starred in a 3-1 win over East Fife.

Albion boss Darren Young, who left the Fifers for Forthbank, drafted the 26-year-old in at right-back, and he stole the show against his former club.

Kai Fotheringham and Jack Leitch scored to put the Binos two-nil up inside ten minutes, both assisted by Dunsmore, but Alan Trouten reduced the deficit before half-time.

However, Dunsmore popped up in the 93rd minute to grab an important third goal and secure the three points.

Young said: “It was a good reaction, and it is good to bounce back. We came out flying in the first ten-15 minutes and got two great goals.

“We just took the foot off the pedal a bit after that, but fair play to East Fife, they came into the game and caused us problems, but I thought we defended it well.

“I am delighted to get three points. We battered Albion Rovers here but drew 1-1, so look, we weren’t as great as we usually are, but we were clinical, and that got us over the line.

“Through thick and thin, they stick together, it’s a good bunch of guys, and now it’s a case of, can we kick on.”

Young had asked his players to start a new unbeaten run after last week’s 2-0 loss against Annan Athletic was the first defeat in ten games for his side.

Fotheringham was first to show he understood the message by continuing his sparkling run of form with a 5th-minute opener.

Dunsmore curled his cross to the back post for the on-loan Dundee United teenager, who tapped in from close range.

Just five minutes later, Jack Leitch followed him in. Again, Dunsmore found space on the right, this time to float a cross to Leitch, who headed in from the penalty spot.

It took East Fife to go two-nil down to come into the game, but the visitors were the better side after doing so.

Former Alloa Athletic forward Alan Trouten eventually got the Fifers on the scoresheet on 42 minutes.

Alex Ferguson cut the ball across the box, and Trouten was well-placed to roll it past Blair Currie in the Stirling goal.

Neither side had excellent chances to grab a fourth goal of the game, but Albion captain Paul McLean came closest, as the defender headed over from close range.

As East Fife threw everything at Stirling to grab an equaliser, the hosts hit on the break three minutes into added time.

Josh Cooper found Fotheringham, who tried to go around East Fife goalkeeper Allan Fleming, but the ball fell to Dunsmore, and he picked out the far corner to kick-start a new winning run.