STIRLING ALBION chairman Stuart Brown paid tribute to Greig McDonald after he stepped down as manager following the club’s 4-0 home defeat to Stenhousemuir last weekend.

The events from the game on Saturday leaves the Binos managerless and struggling at the foot of table of the League One table.

The Forthbank chairman says the club will soldier on in the meantime with club captain Darren Smith and defender Ross Forsyth taking charge of first team affairs in the interim as the club search for McDonald’s successor.

Brown said: “As in any business, there is no time to dwell and with that in mind, I spoke to Darren Smith, and Ross Forsyth and I am pleased to be able to report that they have agreed to look after first-team affairs whilst the board look for a new manager.

“Greig McDonald and Marc McCulloch go with the best wishes of, and huge thanks from, everyone associated with SAFC.

“Since stepping into their roles [in January 2012] they have given their all to bringing about (and delivering) change for the better, which didn’t happen by chance but through sheer hard work behind the scenes that went way and beyond their contracted hours.

“The culmination of their efforts was the aforementioned beautiful Sunday at Bayview for the play-off win against East Fife.

“I would personally and publicly like to thank them both not just for that treasured memory but for everything they contributed to making that day possible.” Brown has hit out at reports in the national papers that they already had a preferred candidate for the role and stated that they will consider all applications carefully before deciding on the best suitable candidate.

He said, “I can confirm that no official representing the club has formally or indeed informally spoken to either newspaper and that the comments are entirely inaccurate because there is no favoured candidate. Everyone who formally applies will be of interest to the Board.

“It is disappointing in the extreme that newspapers should chose to adopt what can, at best, be described as lazy reporting.

“I am taking this step to reassure our fans and importantly everyone that has, or intends to, apply for the position, that due process will be followed and that neither I, nor anyone else on the Board, has any preconceived ideas with regards to the successful candidate or that there is already a predetermined outcome.” Meanwhile, bookmakers have opened up the betting on the next manager at Forthbank with leading Scottish firm McBookie installing ex-Stenhousmuir gaffer Martyn Corrigan as the early 6/4 market leader.

McBookie.com odds on next Stirling Albion boss (Accurate as of 23 Oct - For latest odds head to bookmakers website) 6/4 Martyn Corrigan 6/1 Fraser Duncan 8/1 Ian McCall 8/1 James Ward 10/1 Gary Locke 10/1 Jimmy Boyle 12/1 Kenny Shiels 12/1 David Weir 16/1 John Hartson 16/1 Alec Cleland 20/1 Allan Moore 20/1 John Robertson 20/1 Ross Jack 20/1 Max Christie Others on request. For more information head to www.McBookie.com