EAST Stirlingshire’s dismal start to the season continued on Saturday after they were beaten and leap-frogged by Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Just a fortnight after Derek Ure replaced Paul Sludden as manager, the Shire slipped further down the table after suffering a 3-0 defeat.

Strikes from Ruari Paton, Ricky Miller and a second-half Graeme Macgregor own-goal gave Gala the points.

Fairydean Rovers manager Dean Shanks said: “East Stirlingshire may not have had the best of starts but we’ve not been too great ourselves, although I thought we got everything we deserved this afternoon.

“We are slowly but surely getting to where we want to be and I would like to see performances like that every week.

“We have East Stirlingshire again in the Scottish Cup in a few weeks and I’m hoping we can get the same result.”

Sean Brown and Greg Pascazio both scored for Cumbernauld Colts against bottom side Whitehill Welfare at Broadwood.

A last-gasp Kevin Connelly strike earned Gretna the points at Raydale Park against Edusport Academy.

Dan Fitzpatrick had fired the home team in front before Jordan Alexandre levelled after the break.

Gretna co-manager Davie Irons was happy with the 2-1 victory.

He said: “We’re learning how to win games which is pleasing.

“Edusport have a lot of quality but I thought we were more than a match for them and deserved the three points.”

Stirling University came from behind with ten men to earn a 2-2 draw against Vale of Leithen.

Rory McEwan had fired the Students into the lead before Vale replied with strikes from David Bonnar and Sean Stewart.

Blair Lyons was red-carded for the home team at the start of the second half.

But in the closing stages as a Rory MacEwan cross was turned into his own net by visiting keeper Ross Gilpin.

In the Scottish Cup replays, Kelty Hearts beat Dalbeattie Star 3-1 and Civil Service Strollers also reached the second round with a 2-1 win over Forres Mechanics.