 As well as winning the League Two title, Stirling and the Dons also defeated Grimsby Town in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.During the 2008–09 season, Paul Ince had left to take up the managerial position at Blackburn Rovers, and his replacement Roberto Di Matteo favoured him as the club's first choice right back.Stirling was ever present in the season, which eventually saw the club challenge for promotion to the Championship, however they were defeated over two legs in the play-offs against Scunthorpe United.