NOT even a debut goal by trialist Cameron McDonald could prevent Elgin City from losing at East Stirling on Saturday.
The Moray side slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Ochilview and are three points off the Division 3 play-offs.
Manager Ross Jack was without injured trio David Niven, Jamie Duff and Dennis Wyness while Sean Crighton was suspended.
January signing Ross McKinnon was set to make his debut at left back until he was injured in the warm up and had to be replaced in the starting line up by Paul McMullan.
Ex-Livingston and Airdrie United defender McDonald came straight into the City team as a trialist, and took just 15 minutes to net on his debut in the visitors' first serious attack.
Shire levelled on 40 minutes from a penalty given for a Brian Cameron foul on Michael Hunter and converted by Paul Quinn.
Mikey Herd fired the home side in front just two minutes after the break but Craig Gunn quickly restored parity with a drive five minutes later.
The winner arrived with six minutes to go, Scott Maxwell's header wrapping up East Stirling's third consecutive win.
City now travel to Berwick on Tuesday night, but are at home in four of their following five fixtures.
Elgin: Malin, Morrison, McMullan, McDonald, Millar (O'Donoghue 85), Cameron, Gunn (Forbes 85), Harkins, Leslie, Nicolson, Moore. Subs: McHardy, McLean, Black.
