East Stirlingshire secured their first win of the new year with a battling 2-1 victory over Linlithgow Rose at the Falkirk Stadium.

A first half Linlithgow Rose own goal had East Stirlingshire ahead at the break before a Jamie Pyper OG equalled the game for the Rose at the start of the second half, but Scullion’s men responded quickly with a brilliant finish from Jamie Penker restoring the home side’s goal advantage.

Pat Scullion named two changes to his side after defeat away to Bo’ness United as Morgaro Gomis and Oliver Ecrepont made their competitive debuts for the Lowland League club.

It was the visitors who took control of the game with a penetrating run from Linlithgow Rose’s Louis Maguire whose long-range effort glanced the outside of the woodwork following a controlling spell from the West Lothian side.

The Shire, however, opened the scoring against the run of play with a Linlithgow Rose own goal finding the bottom corner of the net after a scramble in the oppositions box led to a flux of activity.

Gordon Herd’s men started the second brightly and was awarded when East Stirlingshire skipper, Jamie Pyper forced the ball beyond the impressive Oliver Ecrepont from on incoming Rose cross levelling the game at 1-1.

Linlithgow Rose’s efforts proved momentary, as five minutes later the oncoming Jamie Penker neatly shifted the ball onto his right foot curling his effort into the roof of Cammy Binnie’s net, giving the Shire a quick response and 2-1 cushion from an emphatic finish.

Linlithgow Rose continued to threaten with a flurry of efforts, with the best of those chances falling to Calum Rae, who failed to cleanly connect with the ball after a tempting cross dangerously rolled beyond the Shire’s penalty area.

During the dying stages of the game Luke Rankin broke away from the ensuing Rose defender, but ultimately sent his effort wide of the mark.

It was an impressive scalp for Scullion’s side as they look to reinforce the positives from the game and gather momentum after securing a long awaited three-point performance.

Ellis Wilson.

Two of the last three meetings between the sides have ended in stalemate – with 2-2 and 0-0 draws sitting either side of a 3-1 win for Civil Service Strollers.

East Stirlingshire currently sit in 16th place with 16 points from their 19 games played – made up of four wins, four draws, and 11 defeats.

Following five consecutive league defeats, The Shire come into this off the back of a 3-2 win over Albion Rovers.

Civil Service Strollers currently sit in 8th place with 27 points from their 18 games played – made up of eight wins, three draws, and seven defeats.

Strollers have won three of their last five matches, but come into this with back-to-back games without a win – losing 3-0 to Hearts B followed by their recent 1-1 draw with Caledonian Braves.

Both clubs have a long history of meeting each other in the SPFL, but, Albion Rovers would come out on top of their first Lowland League fixture, defeating East Stirlingshire 3-1.

East Stirlingshire currently sit in 16th place with 13 points from their 18 games played – made up of three wins, four draws, and 11 defeats.

The Shire come into this with five consecutive defeats in Lowland League duty, and will be hoping for a positive result.

Albion Rovers currently sit in 13th place with 20 points from their 14 games played – made up of five wins, five draws, and four defeats.

Rovers come into this having managed to salvage a point against Edinburgh University. Uni looked certain to win it with a last-minute penalty putting them ahead. But, Rovers got a late penalty of their own, making it 2-2.

East Stirlingshire took maximum points off Broomhill, last season – thanks to 1-0 and 2-0 victories.

East Stirlingshire currently sit in 14th place with 13 points from their 14 games played – made up of three wins, four draws, and seven defeats.

Since defeating Celtic B 2-1, The Shire come into this having suffered back-to-back defeats – losing 1-0 to Caledonian Braves in the South Challenge Cup, and 3-0 to Cumbernauld Colts midweek in the league.

Broomhill currently sit in 7th place with 17 points from their 12 games played – made up of five wins, two draws, and five defeats.

Since The Broom defeated Cumbernauld Colts 3-1 in the Scottish Cup First Round, they have been on either side of a 3-0 result – losing to Bo’ness United, followed by a victory over Civil Service Strollers.

Cumbernauld Colts defeated East Stirlingshire three times, last season – winning 3-2 and 2-0 in the league, as well as 1-0 in the Lowland League Cup. The meeting earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw.

East Stirlingshire currently sit 14th in the table with 13 points from their 13 played – made up of three wins, four draws, and six defeats.

The Shire put in an impressive display to win 2-1 over Celtic B, however, they have since lost 1-0 to Caledonian Braves and will be looking to bounce back with a victory.

Cumbernauld Colts currently sit 2nd in the table with 26 points from their 13 played – made up of eight wins, two draws, and three defeats.

Since their 3-1 defeat to Broomhill in the Scottish Cup First Round, The Colts have won three games in a row – 2-0 and 3-2 league victories over Cowdenbeath and Edinburgh University, as well as a 4-2 win over Irvine Meadow in the South Challenge Cup Third Round.

Hearts B took maximum points off East Stirlingshire, last season – thanks to 2-0 and 5-0 victories.

East Stirlingshire currently sit in 14th place with nine points from 11 games played – made up of two wins, three draws, and six defeats.

After going four competitive games undefeated, The Shire will be looking to bounce back after exiting the Scottish Cup at the First Round – losing 1-0 to Highland League side, Huntly.

Hearts B currently sit in 2nd place with 22 points from 11 games played – made up of six wins, four draws, and one defeat.

The Wee Jambos haven’t played a competitive match since 9th September, but will be looking to continue the form that saw them undefeated in their last six games.