A goal in each half by the lively Andy Rodgers was enough to settle this early-season basement battle and give the Sons their first win of the season as well as lift some of the pressure from under-fire boss Paul Martin. Stirling, however, remain adrift at the foot of the table.
Dumbarton opened brightly and Rodgers had already seen one header cleared off the line before - on the quarter hour mark - he was on the spot to nod home from six yards after Iain Russell had headed John Dillon's deep corner back across the face of goal.
The Binos created few chances over the 90 minutes, but they should have been level mid-way through the opening period when Paddy Connolly found himself in space inside the box. The veteran striker delayed his shot, however, and his effort was crowded out by a posse of yellow jerseys.
After the break Albion stepped things up with the wind behind them, and they had a couple of decent shouts for hand-ball in the home area turned down by referee Iain Brines. But there was little doubt about debutant Steven Bell's theatrical dive for a penalty just after the hour which brought him his second yellow card of the afternoon.
Dumbarton's numerical advantage paid off seven minutes from time when that man Rodgers broke from midfield, drifted past a couple of defenders, and cracked a low drive from the edge of the box past helpless on-loan 'keeper Robert Giacomi.