Kilmarnock humiliated by first division side Stirling record historic victory

The Scottish Cup winners - was it only a couple of months ago? - were not just beaten, they were given an old-fashioned hiding by a team from the first division who went about their business with an old-fashioned gusto that used to be the secret of success in cup games.

It was not Albion who were perfidious, but Kilmarnock. The Premier side betrayed their fans with a dreadful display of complacency in the first half, when they presumed far too much and deserved to be two down at the break.

They then had to go into mad attack mode to try to save the tie and, in so doing, opened the back doors for the eager breakaway divisions of Stirling to take them apart. Stirling seemed to score every time they went up the park in the second half, but it was just an illusion. It was only every second time.

For Kilmarnock's Bobby Williamson it was ''my worst night as a manager.'' Under him, they had gone eight cup ties in three different competitions without defeat - until last night when they drowned in Coca-Cola humiliation.

''I never thought I would see us lose six goals,'' he said. ''You wouldn't believe we had been practising our defence, too.

''It was embarrassing for our fans and, on behalf of the players and myself, I apologise to them. We have two days to get it sorted out before we meet Hibs and it certainly won't do in Europe next week.''

Naturally, there was much satisfaction in the face of Kevin Drinkell, who had said the previous day that, after close efforts against teams like Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee United in the past, it was time to go one better. Now he and his team will be the only non-premier side in tomorrow's quarter final draw.

''Nightmare on Elm Street,'' was how Williamson summed it all up. Actually, it was Forthbank and the new little stadium will now have a piece of history to establish it in the great tales of the game.

They were all heroes, the men in Albion shirts, but some were more heroic than others - like Craig Taggart, who scored the final goal in the last minute but was involved in four others; like Steve McCormick, who rejoined the club on Monday, came on as a second-half substitute and scored two goals; like part-timer Tommy Tait, the Housing Officer from Ayr who used to play for Kilmarnock, scorer of the third goal that doused any Ayrshire ambitions of a comeback.

It was clear from the very beginning that the wee team were thinking big. It was anything but a surprise when they went ahead in 37 minutes.

Derek Anderson had fouled Taggart just outside the box and Andy Paterson fairly smacked the free-kick through the wall and past the keeper. Two minutes later, Stirling went two ahead when Taggart crossed from the right, keeper Colin Meldrum missed the ball and John Gibson headed it into goal.

Out for the second half came Kilmarnock with malicious intent, but, just as it looked as if they may haul themselves back into contention, Albion slipped through the escape tunnel into their half and Taggart sent over a superb cross for Tait to head home.

Kilmarnock new boy Frenchman Jerome Vareille scored a fine goal to bring a glimpse of hope, but, with half an hour to go, McCormick made his first impact, heading in a cross from Taggart - who else? Two minutes later the big striker did it again, when he knocked in No. 5 after a pass from Burke.

Wright scored, but it was no consolation for Killie and, in the final minute, Taggart decided to make it a DIY job this time, shooting in the sixth. The work was complete. Stirling, wee Stirling, had reminded us all that it can still be done. Good on them.

STIRLING ALBION - McGeown, A Paterson, Deas, Carberry, McQuilter, G Paterson, Bone, Tait, McLaren, Taggart, Gibson. Substitutes - Bain, McKechnie, McCormick.

KILMARNOCK - Meldrum, McPherson, Baker, Anderson, McGowne, Reilly, Nevin, Findlay, Wright, Vareille, Burke. Substitutes - Mitchell, McIntyre, Kerr.

Referee - S Dougal (Burnside).