It’s an important afternoon at Forthbank tomorrow for Stirling Albion as they aim to keep the relegation wolf from the door with the visit of Bonnyrigg Rose.
The Binos have stated their ambitions to compete at the top end of the division and earn promotion back to the third tier following their relegation last season.
But their form of late has put those ideals under serious threat – one win in 11 matches across all competitions – and dragged them seven off the pace of Edinburgh City in the pivotal fourth spot.
Instead the nervous glances have begun to the positions at the rear end of the table, with eighth placed Rose sitting just five points behind Albion with a game in hand.
Calum Elliot’s side have also enjoyed a good record against Stirling this season, winning both of the sides’ meetings.
They claimed the spoils at Forthbank in September, with a Cammy McKinley own goal and a Bradley Barrett strike securing a deserved three points.
And the teams’ last clash saw Stirling limp to a midweek defeat at New Dundas Park, with goals from Lewis Lorimer and Cammy Ross putting the points on lockdown – despite a last-gasp Adam Brown consolation.
Both managers have already been busy in the January window trying to reverse their teams’ fortunes, with veteran midfielder Ross Davidson departing on loan to West of Scotland Premier outfit Johnstone Burgh until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old was a stalwart under previous boss Darren Young – including during the Binos’ League Two winning season – but has failed to nail down a starting place under Alan Maybury after his return from a long-term injury.
He has made 16 appearances this season, but has only started six times as Queen’s Park youngster Ricky Waugh and new arrival Josh Kerr have usually been deployed in the deeper midfield positions by Maybury.
Davidson was also on target once this campaign, a memorable free kick winner as Stirling Albion edged out Spartans at Forthbank.
Announcing the capture on social media, Burgh boss Murdo MacKinnon was full of praise for his new signing.
MacKinnon said: “Ross is a vastly experienced midfield player who has played in the SPFL for the majority of his career.
“He gives us added depth and quality for the second part of the season. We are delighted to have him on board.”
On the new arrivals front, there is an opportunity for ex-Alloa and Clyde defender Euan Deveney to feature as a trialist again against Rose after he made his first appearance in the Stirling defeat off the bench in the defeat to Peterhead.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman put in an impressive debut, including creating a good opportunity by flashing a cross over the face of goal at Balmoor.
For the visitors, their winter capture from Bo’ness United, Ryan Porteous, will likely be included in the squad – as will teenage Hearts defender Kai Smutek.
However, ex-Falkirk and Partick Thistle Kallum Higginbotham has departed the club to move to high-flyers East Fife.
They will arrive at Forthbank after a 2-2 home draw on Tuesday evening with Spartans.