Stirling Albion showed considerable improvement under manager Dave Mackay despite suffering the disappointment of losing in the play-off semi-finals to Peterhead.
Mackay took over the reigns in November 2016 and made changes last summer following the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs. He made the brave decision to let goalkeeper Chris Smith leave the club and give youngster Cammy Binnie the No.1 jersey. He also added the experience of striker Peter MacDonald and the talent of winger Callumn Morrison and they made a superb start to the season.
The Binos won seven of their opening nine league matches but were unable to sustain that lightning pace and won just two of their next nine games. The loss of the creative Morrison, whose loan deal ended in January, proved to be a real blow.
A run of one defeat in eleven matches was enough to secure a play-off place but they lost their form again and were unable to rediscover it as they were beaten 4-0 in a two-legged play-semi-final by Peterhead.
Despite missing out on promotion there are plenty of positives to take from the campaign, including the transition of striker Ross Kavanagh into a first-team regular. Mackay was able to rely on a settled defence in Ross McGeachie, Ewan McNeil and Lee Hamilton, which was supplemented with the addition of the experienced Darren Barr in January.
They were only outscored by Peterhead in the division with winger Darren Smith enjoying the best season of his career so far, notching 25 goals in all competitions and he was voted player of the season.
Mackay has the basis of a squad which is capable of challenging for promotion next season and just needs one or two clever additions over the summer.
