Mackay satisified withthe display

Stirling Albion manager Dave Mackay was happy with the performance against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park on Saturday despite the 3-1 defeat.

Peter MacDonald had the visitors in front at the break but Allan Johnston’s men came out strongly in the second half and maintained their 100 per cent record to top Betfred Cup Group D and set up an intriguing tie with Heart of Midlothian in the second round.

Mackay, who was sent to the stand for protesting too loudly about a penalty appeal being waved away by referee Mike Roncone, said:“In the first half we were organised and after the first 10 minutes we frustrated Dunfermline. They started well but we looked a decent side once we found our feet.

“The first two goals in the second half were disappointing to lose because they didn’t have too work hard for them – it was two straight balls over the top and we’ve not defended properly, although I thought the first one might have been offside.

“On the whole it was pleasing and there were a lot of good performances. The goal was very well worked – Neil McLaughlin won the ball back in the middle of the park and spread it wide to Jordan Allan, who put a good cross in. Kevin Fell did fantastic to knock it back and it’s a great finish by Peter

MacDonald. It shows we are a team who want to play football.

“We should have had a penalty in the second half. It felt like the referee couldn’t make a decision without looking at his linesman. It was a clear penalty and the Dunfermline players said the same themselves — Jason Marr is away to nod the ball back across goal and just gets taken out.

“You should maybe try to keep your calm a bit more but sometimes frustration gets the better of you and I’m sure it would have been given at the other end.”