STIRLING ALBION manager Stuart McLaren admitted his side have let a chance to force their way into the heart of the League Two title fight slip by but backed his players to make amends.

The Binos suffered their second consecutive defeat at East Stirling last Saturday but remain just six points from the top of the table, and the manager says they can get their bid for promotion back on track if they can replicate the form which saw them suffer just one defeat in 12 games.

McLaren told Stirling News Sport: “We are disappointed not to have picked up any points because the last couple of weeks have given us an opportunity to consolidate the good work we have done and make sure we were up inside the top four. To miss out on that opportunity is a bit frustrating but we are still in with a good chance. We are still right in amongst it and I know that when the league starts back up we will be keen to get some positive results.

“We have the away tie at Elgin which is a chance to peg them back a little bit as is the home game against Queen's Park. Once we are through the cup tie on Saturday we need to focus on those and go and pick up some points.”

Albion take on Premiership side Inverness in the Scottish Cup this weekend, and McLaren says the tie has come at a good time for his side as they look to spring a surprise on the cup holders.

He said: “There are always two ways to look at it when you have a setback. You want the opportunity to make amends as quickly as possible but I think a change of focus with the cup tie will be good for us. It will be a great occasion. To play against a Premier League team who are the holders of the cup in a home tie is something for the players to really look forward to and we are going to work really hard this week to put together a plan which might see us go out there and cause some sort of upset.”