And it has duly set up one of the most exciting local derby matches in recent years.

The combined results contrived to stretch the Warriors' lead at the top of the Third Division table to five points, and Shire are now just three off second place.

This Saturday's encounter at Ochilview is officially a home match for 'Muir but manager John Coughlin has never taken his eye off his club's tenants and expects the confrontation to be a real nail-biter.

"Shire are on a great run at the moment and it was only a matter of time before that happened," he told Heraldsport. "They have some very good and experienced players, a good manager and are not the team of old.

"With Spencer Fearne at the helm they are now competing with the best in the league in terms of attracting quality players, and people maybe lost sight of that. I certainly didn't, though, and Saturday's game is now one of the biggest of the season for us.

"Shire will be a bit disappointed, no doubt, about their bad start to this campaign. However, there was only one way they could go and Jim McInally will have the same title aspirations as ourselves."

Gary Thom and Scott Dalziel were the goal scorers at Central Park as the Warriors beat the Blue Brazil, another club with an eye on promotion, and Coughlin says it has instilled even more belief in his squad.

He went on: "I think the players were disappointed just to get a draw against Dumbarton and started like a house on fire against Cowdenbeath.

"At the moment we believe we can defeat anybody, but Jim (McInally) and his players will think they have a good chance of a derby victory and he will have them up for it.

"Our fans were great last week although they seem to be a bit quieter at home, but I hope they come out in numbers on Saturday and make themselves heard.

"The Shire support are pretty vocal, so a noisy crowd – and I think there will be plenty of action on the field to fire them up – promises to set the atmosphere for what I believe will be a rip-roaring cup tie type of match and I can't wait."

East Stirlingshire boss McInally, meanwhile, thinks his side will go into the match as underdogs, despite being the Third Division's form team. Six wins and a draw in their last seven matches isn't enough to convince the Firs Park coach that the pressure will all be on the Warriors.

And not even last week's hugely impressive 5-2 win over the Sons will make him confident of extending the run.

"There's no doubt we are big underdogs in the game," he said.

"But if we can apply ourselves and show the same level of hard work we put into the Dumbarton game then we will be hard to beat.

"Stenhousemuir have been on a terrific run and you have to respect that. They are not five points clear at the top of the league for no reason.

"Whether they win in the first minute or the last they are prepared to wait and do that. And that's something we will have to be aware of."

But, for all his caution and compliments, there's something inside the Shire coach that would dearly love to put one over the Third Division leaders.

"We have already played them this season and we dominated the first half but couldn't score," he said. "They took the lead and after that we were well beaten, but I still feel as though we have a point to prove."

Shire may have to do that without influential midfielder Craig Donaldson, who is still receiving treatment for a hamstring strain sustained in the Dumbarton game.

Coughlin, meanwhile, will be missing Willie Lyle due to his red card at Cowdenbeath, and Kevin Motion, who is serving a three-match suspension.
Jordan Smith is still injured while Alan Brazil and Steve Hampshire are doubtful, although Paul Tyrrell is back from honeymoon and Steven
Desmond is included after breaking his nose.

However, other than Donaldson, McInally doesn't really have any selection issues – other than who to leave out.

And he knows what a win against their rivals would mean to Shire's supporters, paying tribute to their influence in the club's change of fortunes.

"It's just been brilliant to see the fans enjoying winning games and that means a lot to everyone," he added. "They are a brilliant bunch and it would be nice to show everyone that we are serious, and that we can keep this going until the end of the season."

Dallas to visit Ochilview ... see page 34