The opening quarter of the match passed with neither side being able to conjure up a clear opening. Elgin were restricted to half chances, the best of which saw James McKenzie shot wide from 25 yards.
East Stirling had a great chance to take the lead when Elgin were caught napping. Ross Donaldson worked the ball across City's 18-yard line but Chris McGroarty, who lost his marker and with the goal gaping, failed to test Kieron Renton.
With half an hour gone it was East Stirling who were beginning to pick holes in City's defence. Ross Donaldson was again the provider, slipping in Mark Tyrrell, whose effort looked to be heading for the top corner until Renton showed great agility to turn the ball over. That scare seemed to lift City, who had two chances in a minute to take the lead, but they lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Just before the break, Elgin substitute Philip Reid almost scored with his first touch. A corner from the right fell to Reid, whose volley looked goalbound until the slightest of deflections took the ball wide.
East Stirling should have been 1-0 up in the first few minutes of the second half. McKenzie gave away possession in the middle of the park, enabling Mark Tyrrell to gallop down the right wing. He crossed for McGroarty, who missed an open goal to the dismay of the travelling support.
Elgin's best chance of the half fell to skipper McKenzie, who raced half the length of the pitch to gather a cross field pass before cutting in on his left foot and unleashing a curling effort destined for the top corner, only to be denied by an excellent Derek Jackson save.
Gaps began to appear as both teams pushed for a winner. Derek Ure had a chance to win if for East Stirling but shot tamely at Renton. At the other end, Garry Wood showed good skills but could not find a way through.
Elgin had a great opportunity to snatch all three points when McKenzie was put clean through by Wood but decided to shoot early instead of carrying the ball further, and as a result failed to test Jackson.
A disappointing afternoon in front of both goals meant points dropped iin the race for higher positions.