As exclusively revealed on the Tele website on Friday, the Ton boss completed a dramatic swoop to secure prolific hitman MacDonald’s Cappielow return as a player/coach on an 18-month contract.

With the paperwork not set to be registered with the SFA until today, the 34-year-old, inset far right, who scored 30 goals in 66 appearances with the Ton between 2011 and 2013, was named as a trialist at Stenny.

Due to the fact he had made just two appearances for previous employers Dundee since August, Duffy decided to list the experienced striker as a substitute.

McCluskey, meanwhile, was handed the number nine shirt for his first start since the shock Scottish Cup defeat to Spartans — a match in which he was sent off for two bookable offences.

And the 24-year-old more than justified his manager’s faith with a fine individual display in which he scored one goal and provided two assists as Ton ran out 3-2 winners at Ochilview.

Duffy told the Tele: “I spoke to Peaso [Peter MacDonald] and he hadn’t played a lot of football recently.

“Because of that I just felt that Stefan’s energy and movement could give us something. He will always work hard and has a terrific appetite for the game.

“So we decided to put Peaso on the bench - and it was a big risk to leave out a player of his quality who you’ve brought in to try and get you goals.

“Stef and Ross [Caldwell] had never played together either. They were a new partnership, but as the game wore on they got better. In the second half, they combined a lot better.

“Stefan set up Ross’s goal, and then Ross put a wee flick down the side for Jinky [Jamie McCluskey] and he crossed for Stefan, so they had a hand in each other’s goals.

“Neither of them have had a lot of first-team football lately. I mean, Stefan only trained yesterday [Friday].

“He had a tight hamstring and I didn’t think he was going to be fit, but he trained, did a few sprints and said he felt okay. So we threw him in today and thankfully it paid off. I was delighted for him.” Ton won by the odd goal in five against the Warriors and Duffy did not feel the margin of victory was a fair reflection of his side’s dominance.

He added: “Did the scoreline flatter Stenhousemuir? Well the scoreline didn’t do us justice; I thought we created four or five brilliant chances and their keeper made two or three terrific saves.

“We were a real threat right throughout the game. In the first half, we controlled things. There was some lovely football – it was just our final ball that let us down at times.

“We got into good positions but didn’t pick the right option. Stefan made a great run and put a great weight of pass across the goal for Ross to score. Jinky did similar with the first goal, with Stefan gambling and getting to the front post.

“Tam O’Ware also broke from midfield and showed great composure with his finish, and again that was another goal that was about getting down the wings and cutting it back.

Although the Ton boss was thrilled with his side’s attacking play over the piece, he was still less than impressed with the two goals they conceded.” He said: “It was déjà vu. We’ve lost too many goals at the start of the second half, and to do it again was unbelievably disappointing, but they responded really quickly.

“If you think of the two goals, one was a shot from distance that the keeper parries and the boy follows in and we could have done a wee bit better. The other one was a silly mistake. I don’t know what Sean was thinking with the penalty at the end.

“It was a rash, split-second decision that put us under pressure. All of a sudden its 3-2 and you’re holding on. But it’s a tough place to come, and to score three goals and get an away win was important.

“In a tight league every three points are vital, so we are delighted.”