Stirling Albion and Dunfermline meet on Saturday for the first time since two Division One clashes in the space of four days back in March 2011.
The last Forthbank encounter ended in a 1-1 draw but the Pars won 4-1 at East End Park four days later in a match that produced three red cards.
The Binos have slipped to second bottom of the table after losing 2-0 at Stranraer while Jim Jefferies’ men are a point behind leaders Forfar after beating eight-man Peterhead 3-0.
Albion boss Greig McDonald said: “I was a player at Stirling when the teams last played and Jocky Scott was in charge. I remember those games and there were a few sending offs - four in total - but I was not one of them as I was just coming back from rupturing my Achilles.
“Stirling were in the middle of a disappointing run after being promoted as champions the season before. The fans had just taken over the running of the club and things were a bit unsettled off the pitch.
“On the pitch Allan Moore had moved to Morton and John O’Neill was in charge before Jocky came in. We were part time with a small budget in a full-time league and it was a tough season. Ultimately, we suffered two successive relegations with Jocky leaving in the December of 2011 and I took over on an interim basis.”
McDonald, who was only 29 at the time, was appointed permanently the following month but he could not bring an instant reversal in fortune.
He said: “I could not save us from the second relegation however I believe that we are back heading in the right direction again. Time has flown by since then but I am delighted to have taken Stirling back one step so far.
“We had one season in the Third Division which was made memorable by taking five points off Rangers then we were promoted via the play-offs at the end of last season. I would like to think that we are heading back to the second tier of Scottish football but this season is all about solidifying in League 1. I am still learning all the time but it certainly a good job that I love doing.”
Stirling are yet to win at home this season but McDonald, who was on the books at East End Park as a youngster, said: “Facing Dunfermline is exactly the challenge that players want as they want to be tested against full-time players. It is the type of game that you look forward to after promotion.
“I am sure there will be a big crowd as Dunfermline carry a decent support and it will be a great occasion. However, I know that they will be looking to beat us and put pressure on Forfar at the top of the table.
“It is not a game where we can sit back and enjoy last season’s achievements as we have already noticed a difference from League 2 to League 1. You get punished a lot more severely in this division if you make a mistake so we need an error-free performance.
“We had a couple of disappointing afternoons at Forthbank against Ayr and Brechin but we showed that we could be strong at home when we came back from two goals down to draw with Forfar in our last game so we are in with a chance.
“Last week at Stranraer we lost two bad goals and then controlled the game but could not score. We know that we could have done better - hopefully we will against Dunfermline and get some more points on board.”
Craig Stewart
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