Ryan McGuffie struck nine minutes from time on his debut to give Morton their first league win in eight games.

The midfielder, signed just 24 hours earlier from Gretna, pounced on a cross from the right by Kevin Finlayson to strike the ball home from 15 yards and give the Cappielow side the perfect start to the year.

Morton had passed up a glorious chance to open their account in 17 minutes when Peter Weatherson charged down a clearance from Andy Graham and ran through on goal, but Albion goalkeeper Myles Hogarth produced a managed to turn his 15-yard drive round the left hand post.

At the other end Morton 'keeper Lee Robinson, on loan from Rangers and drafted in off the bench after David McGurn was injured in the warm-up, had a couple of hairy moments. First he almost spilled a long range Ross Forsyth effort over the line but managed to hold it at the second attempt, then he failed to hold an angled drive from Steven Bell and would have been relieved to see Finlayson was on hand to clear off the line.

Allan Moore's side, looking for only their second league win of the season, were dealt a blow when the impressive Bell limped off, but Albion re-grouped quickly and in 42 minutes Chris Aitken fired just wide after a lung-bursting 50-yard run.

Morton were resurgent in the second half, though, and they were finally rewarded with the lead on the hour mark after a Kieran McAnespie free-kick was not cleared properly by Andy Graham and Ryan Harding scored from a yard out.

Albion replied two minutes later when Paul Nugent drove through a ruck of players from the right and supplied Aitken, who drilled past Robinson from 12 yards. McGuffie, however, had the final say.

Stirling Albion Hogarth, Nugent, Forsyth, Ellis, Graham, Aitken, Hay, Bell (Harris 37), McKenna, Lilley (Walker 74), Tomana (Taggart 55). Subs: McBride, Christie. Booked: Ellis (50), Hay (76) Morton Robinson, Shields, MacGregor, Harding, Greacen, McAnespie (Stevenson 75), Finlayson, McGuffie, Weatherson, Russell (Graham80), McAlister. Subs: McLaughlin, Templeman, Robinson. Booked McAnespie (25), McGuffie (27) Referee Calum Murray