It might have been a mild Christmas, but Stirling boss Alan Maybury hailed forward Ally Roy for coming in from the cold and making his mark on another thriller in Forfar.

The sides traded six goals in the Scottish Cup in the last meeting and there was another four on the menu for those burning off the festive dinner at Station Park as the sides went back and forward for a 2-2 draw in the final match of 2024.

Former Alloa and Airdrie striker Roy has endured a frustrating start to his second Stirling stint, but grabbed the chance of making his first start since August 31 by notching a goal and an assist.

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Maybury said the 27-year-old’s displays from the bench in recent weeks had merited a start – and said others in the squad were snapping at the heels to take their own spot in the starting eleven.

The Irishman said: “Ally has been out injured for a while, we didn’t get him back until October and then he’s been a little stop-start trying to find out where to get him in the team and understand a role.

“The last couple of weeks he has come off the bench and made a real impact, looking fitter but also a real understanding of what we’re looking for – he’s a good striker and carries a threat.

“There are one or two on the bench, Harry Wright for example, who we’re trying to find a place for in the team but we can be a little open with wingers so it’s all about finding that balance.”

Maybury conceded his side were not at the races as Forfar secured the advantage at the break, but hailed the response of his side in the second 45.

He added: “I thought we were probably second best in the first half, no major things but we didn’t pick up enough of the loose balls or play forward enough and I asked for a little more.

“Even the goal, we had a good attack and the next thing we know, the ball is up the other end and being tackled into our net – it’s a poor goal to concede.

“We had a really good reaction in the second half and brilliant for Ally [Roy] to get that goal back and then we get our noses in front but I don’t know if we do enough at 2-1 to go on and kill the game there.

“We let them back in at that point, but even at the end, we’ve fired three or four crosses which are in between to cause the real problems, but we’re getting into those really good areas and asking the questions.”

The result leaves Stirling well-placed going into the Bells, sitting just a point behind Edinburgh City in fourth place ahead of a reunion with former Binos boss Darren Young away to Clyde on Saturday.

Stirling have enjoyed a good record against the Bully Wee this season, with two wins in the two clashes between the sides so far this season - including a 2-0 success at New Douglas Park on August 17.