East Stirlingshire 3-0 Caledonian Braves: Braves fourth bottom after losing at leaders

Derek Ure’s side took the lead on five minutes when Sean Brown headed in an Andy Rodgers corner.

Ross McNeil missed a one-on-one volley for the visitors when he thumped his shot wide, meaning it remained 1-0 for Shire at half-time.

The hosts doubled their lead on 46 minutes when Nicky Lowe rifled home after a Rodgers cutback from the left.

Jamie Walker went close for Braves before Andy Dowie had an effort cleared off the line despite claims that it had in fact crossed the whitewash. There was no VAR in Falkirk sadly, though.

Shire wrapped it up on the hour mark, with Rodgers securing his hat-trick of assists.

This time his cross was met by Reis Peggie, who nodded beyond a stranded Hughes.

It was almost four late on when Low smacked the post with a low drive after a swift Shire counter.

Braves get a break from league duties this Saturday as they travel north to Inverness to face Clachnacuddin in a Scottish Cup second preliminary round clash, with kick-off 3pm.

Elsewhere on the minor footballing card, last weekend’s action was hit by continuous rainfall which led to several postponements in the West of Scotland Football League.

These included Bellshill Athletic’s scheduled Conference A trip to St Roch’s and the Conference C encounter between Thorniewood United and East Kilbride Thistle.

Bellshill are second with 11 points from five games while ’Wood are fourth with seven points from three games.

Fixtures this Saturday are: Conference A – Bellshill Athletic v Craigmark Burntonians (2pm kick-off); Conference C – Yoker Athletic v Thorniewood (1.45pm KO).