On a magnificent playing surface at Stirling University, Spartans changed their line-up from the previous two friendlies to give Dan Gerrard, David McLeod and Danny Noon their first starts of the season.

Spartans looked the brighter side in the opening exchanges and took an early lead through Omar Kader.

The City Park side enjoyed most of the possession but were unable to break down a well organised Stirling defence.

Midway through the second half, Spartans failed to clear a Stirling corner and when the ball broke to right-sided defender Richard Milne, he rocketed a powerful effort high into the net.

Mike Lawson, Spartans joint manager, said: "We played poorly although it was a good game. Stirling look as if they will do all right in the East of Scotland League and I have to say that I was impressed with them.

"They are physically strong and overall it was a good work-out for us, which will help our fitness."

Gowrie, in charge of Stirling until they appoint a high performance coach, said: "That was our first official fixture as an East of Scotland side and we probably had eight players who will be part of our squad. Generally I was very, very pleased in what turned out to be an even game.

"We started nervously but then settled and passed the ball well. In the second half Spartans did not cause us any real problems and we competed well with a willingness to play the game properly.

"It was a great test for our players against a team of the calibre and reputation of Spartans.

"Nick Anderson, a former Hibs youngster, played for us and he is our first player on a football scholarship."

• TONIGHT, Edinburgh University who finished runners up to Whitehill Welfare in the Premier Division last season, travel to meet East Fife and New Bayview (kick off 7.00pm).

Spartans beat the Fifers 2-0 at the weekend and the students are hoping to give a good account of themselves in their first pre-season friendly.

• THE fixtures for the new season have been issued and champions Whitehill Welfare will open their league campaign against Selkirk at Rosewell, the Borders side having escaped relegation because of the addition of Gretna 2008 to the First Division.

Another early season fixture, this time in the SFA South Challenge Cup, sees Leith Athletic play host to Edinburgh City.

It is the first occasion that the pair have met as senior football clubs since season 1948/49 when Leith won 3-0 in the Division 'C' Supplementary Competition.