By John Turnbull at Forthbank

A first-half strike from Ben Maciver-Redwood proved the winning goal in Stirling University’s 1-0 win against Cowdenbeath on Wednesday night.

On another night, Stirling might’ve gone into halftime with a more comfortable lead, but ultimately, the score line never changed.

Cowdenbeath responded well in the second half but lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and the Uni stood strong to record a third consecutive win to nil.

Head coach Chris Geddes said: “First half we dominated and played some really good stuff. I think Cowdenbeath changed shape two or three times to try and combat it, but we were really good and disappointed at halftime because we should’ve been two or three nil up.

“I’m really proud of my players tonight because Cowdenbeath have a lot of experience in their team – guys like Iain Davidson who has played professionally – but I thought big Ben (Maciver-Redwood) and Cammy (McKinley) led the line excellently, so it’s a great win for Stirling University.

“We have a busy spell coming up, we are away to Berwick next Tuesday night and then have a game on Wednesday afternoon, so it’s good to get points on the board in the Lowland League.”

And it was three more deserved points as Geddes side moved up to sixth in the Lowland League table, just two points adrift of Rangers B in second place.

After falling out of League Two last season, Stirling welcomed a Cowdenbeath side who have struggled to get going in the Lowland League and did so under the Forthbank lights as well.

The Uni started brightly again, and after heading wide just a minute before, Maciver-Redwood made no mistake in grabbing the game’s only goal on 18 minutes.

Ben Heal powered through midfield before finding the striker, who took one touch and fired the ball into the far corner.

A fightback from the visitors seemed likely in the second half, and Maurice Ross got one from his Cowdenbeath side, albeit to no avail.

The students were up to the challenge and defended the Blue Brazil’s direct approach well before nearly striking at the other end.

On 78 minutes, Ciaran McAninch tidily controlled the ball around the edge of the box and found James Stokes on his left, but his effort came back into play off the crossbar.

Cowdenbeath applied some late pressure without really causing Stirling any danger, and the Uni saw out the remaining minutes to make it four wins on the bounce.

University of Stirling: Fry, Burrows, Lavery, Service, Berry, Heal, Russell, McAninch (Bainbridge 82’), Maciver-Redwood, McKinley (McGill 64’), Stokes (Gilmour 86’)

Cowdenbeath: Carter, Bisland, Newman, Davidson, Armstrong, Berry (Thomson 45’), Gilmartin, Ritchie, Lyon (Garrad 63’), Love, Sinclair (Slaven 45’)

Photos: George Vekic