Stirling Albion1–2Dundee Utd

A goal in each half was enough to secure a 2-1 victory over Stirling Albion at the Forthbank Stadium this afternoon, with new loan signing Andy Webster finding the back of the net in the first half and a sublime finish from David Goodwillie just after the interval.

United fielded a strong starting eleven, with Webster and Dods in the middle of the defence and Dixon and Kovacevic completing the back four. Swanson, Gomis and Buaben started in the middle of the park, while Cadamarteri and Conway were out on the flanks in a 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 formation, spearheaded by Goodwillie.

And the lone striker almost broke the deadlock inside the first minute, after collecting a through ball from Cadamarteri. But his effort was high and wide of the mark.

With 19 minutes on the clock, on loan Rangers defender Andy Webster marked his debut with a goal after he connected with Craig Conway’s corner to head past Scott Christie in the Albion net.

Conway then had an attempt on goal himself mid way through the first half, but it was deflected wide thanks to some robust defending from the home side.

Prince Buaben tried his luck from long range from the resultant corner, but was well wide of the mark in what turned out to be the Ghanian midfielder’s last contribution to the match.

Albion could have hit back after Scott Robertson – who joined the Binos last month from Queen of the South – split the United defence and found Stewart Devine at the edge of the box. But his low drive into the waiting hands of United’s young keeper Conor Grant.

Kovacevic came within inches of doubling the visitor’s lead on the half hour mark with a powerful downward header, after another of Conway’s dangerous in swinging corner kicks found its intended target in the box. But ‘keeper Christie made a great save from close range.

Danny Swanson then came close for United after charging through the Albion defence, only to fire high and wide from the 18 yard-line.

Although the home side rarely threatened in the opening forty-five, they would enter the tunnel on level terms after Andy Graham headed in from close range just before the break.

In the first attack of the second period, United got back in front after Gomis released Goodwillie, and the little striker lifted the ball over thekeeper and into the corner of the net from the right-hand side of the box with a cool, curling finish.

United then lay siege inside the final third, but couldn’t add a third despite the best efforts of the relentless front three of Cadamarteri, Conway and Goodwillie.

A slew of substitutions throughout the second period broke up any rhythm or momentum for either side, and the game petered out into a scrappy affair after an entertaining first half.

Swanson made an amazing run through defence, only to see his shot blocked, and Conway would later see his thirty-yard free kick rebound off the post after beating substitute Hogarth in between the sticks for Albion.

And the two playmakers would combine in the dying seconds to again test the replacement keeper. Swanson broke the length of the pitch from an Albion attack, and had several options as United surged forward in a four on two attack. He flicked the ball over the last defender and into the path of the charging Conway, who fired on target but was foiled by an excellent save.