Alloa and Celtic played in a rare meeting of the sides at a capacity Indodrill Stadium.

Alloa selected a pretty much unchanged side to the one who drew to Queen’s Park but for the forced change of Sammon for Euan Henderson, whose loan agreement expired on Sunday, while Celtic made 5 changes to the side that comfortably saw off Hibs on Monday. It remained a strong side with Liam Scales, Stephen Welsh, Tony Ralston, Yosuke Ideguchi and Giorgos Giakoumakis coming in.

It was almost Alloa who instantly put their stamp on the game though with Conor Sammon attempting an audacious lob from the half-way line after some typically vigorous closing down by Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang robbed Ideguchi.

But Celtic would only be contained so long as Liam Scales whipped in a magnificent cross and Giakoumakis’ clever front-post run and deft touch sent it into the roof of the net.

Georgios Giakoumakis opens the scoring for @CelticFC in todays @ScottishCup game at @AlloaAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/zTHDb32f1Q

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 22, 2022

Celtic almost instantly found a second as Andy Graham glanced a header into the path of Giakoumakis. Durnan lost his footing and the Greek was bearing down on the Alloa goal. Hutton to his credit was a daunting figure off his line but the cheeky dink brushed past the post.

Hutton was equal to Liel Abada’s effort another minute later with a sharp dive to the bottom left corner. Rogic and Maeda would also be denied by the Alloa goallie as Celtic patiently looked to extend their lead.

But, Celtic’s captain of all people put his side into all kinds of trouble as he played in Conor Sammon who 8 yards out smashed a powerful effort on target. It smacked Joe Hart’s thigh but it showed the vulnerabilities of this Celtic team.

McGregor was soon off the park as he went face first in an aerial battle with Adam King and collided with the Alloa midfielder’s shoulder. The Celtic captain was notably dazed and soon departed for James McCarthy.

While Alloa had looked to have silenced the Hoops until the break. Liel Abada drifted in off the wing and the top corner with a superb curling effort.

Liel Abada makes it two for @CelticFC just before half time against @AlloaAthleticFC in @ScottishCup today pic.twitter.com/4bynXYR5n4

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 22, 2022

Abada almost found the spectacular, but not on purpose as Hutton had to be alert to tip a cross away from his front post and again on the 57th minute the veteran stopper denied the Japanese international Daizen Maeda as he produced a fingertip save to deny a diving header from finding the bottom corner.

Perhaps the most talked about incident of the game was ‘Sena’s’ follow through on Ideguchi. The Senegalese midfielder was combative and aggressive and a thorn in the side of Celtic’s playmakers and showcased another full-blooded challenge on ‘Guchi. However with his momentum he took another step onto the Japanese’ ankle and it was a strong impact. The Celtic man, who sheepishly went into the challenge could no longer continue and Niang received a yellow.

Celtic after this did look notably shaken and Alloa were sometimes guilty of committing 7 men to an attacking line. Although the visitors missed some gilt edged chances in this period it was Alloa who clawed themselves back into contention.

Barry Ferguson completed the final of his 3 substitutions with the introduction of Scougall and Trouten for the final 15 minutes and the changes instantly contributed. A fine passing move found an unmarked and unchallenged Jon Robertson and he dinked the most inviting ball into the Celtic box. Conor Sammon rose well and directed the ball into the bottom corner and Alloa dreamed of writing another reverse like the Petrofac Cup against Rangers in 2014.

Conor Sammon scores for @AlloaAthleticFC today in @ScottishCup Against @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/Ajs2SVxUHY

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 22, 2022

Andy Graham saved a certain goal up the other end, as Maeda inexplicably squared when he should have tried a solo effort but in truth the momentum was towards the Celtic goal.

Alloa just couldn’t carve the clear chance for the equaliser as they were let down by the technique of tiring legs. First, Niang threatened to embed himself in Celtic nightmares as he blazed a shot high over the bar and late into the game Alan Trouten failed to set himself and again sent an effort flying over the bar.

The perfect smash and grab wasn’t to be and Alloa exit the cup at the Fourth Round to the hands of Celtic with their heads held high and certainly a glimmer of hope that they can recreate some of the discipline and hard work to begin climbing the League 1 table.

Two sides in poor form faced off at the Indodrill today. Managerless Queen’s Park were lead out by the suave trainers and long coated, Director of Football Marijn Beuker, for the first time.

Both sides were tentative in their approach until just before 40 minutes the on-loan Hearts midfielder Connor Smith produced a top class finish to curl the ball effortlessly into the top corner past a planted David Hutton. You won’t see many better placements from outside the corner of the 18 yard box.

Connor Smith opens the scoring for @queensparkfc against @AlloaAthleticFC today in @cinchuk League 1 match. pic.twitter.com/aMXlBmzkkF

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 15, 2022

The second half started more positively for Alloa and they progressively pushed Queen’s Park into a deep block by constant recycling of the ball. The pressure Alloa were producing paid off when Church sent a enticing cross onto the head of Henderson and Ferrie could only flap the ball at Kevin Cawley’s feet. The Alloa legend made no mistake and equalised.

@kevin_cawley scores @AlloaAthleticFC equaliser against @queensparkfc in today`s @cinchuk League 1 match. pic.twitter.com/Kr9MJpHUS8

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 15, 2022

Queen’s Park could have restored their lead if Connor Smith converted a much simpler finish. He met a low cross in the box but could only direct his first time shot a yard wide.

Alloa too could have taken all three points on the 84th minute, when King spurned two what, looked like easy, close range finishes by placing them directly at Ferrie and Gillespie respectively.

A point was not massively favourable for either side in the end as their poor runs continue.

Pictures from yesterday`s @AlloaAthleticFC @queensparkfc @cinchuk League 1 match now up on flickr.https://t.co/AZTL3WMl0F pic.twitter.com/H7qYeAaFte

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 16, 2022

Barry Ferguson, Alloa Manager:

“I was really happy in terms of the level of effort. I thought there was real quality in some of our play, sometimes we were a bit wasteful when we got into the final third but up until they scored I thought it was an even game. That hurt us a little bit but I thought we came out in the second half and once we got a goal I thought we could have went on and got the three points so disappointed in that. I thought, in terms of their effort in the second half, we deserved the three points. We created a number of opportunities where just that final ball wasn’t good but in terms of desire and application from the boys I cant ask for any more. Disappointed not to come away with the three points in the end because I thought we deserved it.”

“I’m trying to bring players in, we’ve lost out on three players [last week] which has been disappointing but they’ve went to Championship clubs. I’ll be speaking to players over the next few days to try and get bodies in. There’s also a couple who will be leaving to go and get game time. Gilmour’s a massive loss, huge loss but that’s the gamble you take when you take players on loan and they come and do well for. Charlie, for me, has been outstanding in the 11 games he’s played. He’s going to go back and he’s going to play with St Johnstone, that’s why they’re taking him back so we’re devastated but it’s good for us that he’s going to go back and play. If he doesn’t play we’ve got an agreement with St Johnstone that we can get him back. Henderson’s going to go back, that was his last game. They’re just trying to get a couple of players in but he’ll be coming back to us, hopefully he’ll be coming back this week but that depends on Hearts signing players so that’s why I’m going to be busy trying to get players in but I’m not going to bring players in for the sake of it, it needs to be the right players.”

Alloa have definitely had better afternoons.

Two former Wasps struck early with Callum Smith making a tidy run in behind, which was well picked out by McInroy, slotting underneath David Hutton to give the Diamonds the lead in just the second minute.

Calum Gallagher would prove tenacious enough to overcome Mark Durnan as both raced to the right channel from a hopeful long ball – but the Alloa goalkeeper, ill advisedly, charged out to leave himself in no mans land and Gallagher netted from a wide angle into the open goal.

Alloa’s best chance of the half would fall to Henderson. Gilmour picked out the advancing full-back Taggart, and he pinpointedly crossed to the on-loan Hearts striker. However, leaning back, he could only blaze over from inside the 18 yard box.

At half time, changes were necessary and they were delivered. Cameron O’Donnell was sacrificed for Conor Sammon while Fernandy Mendy replaced Andy Graham.

Hutton was called into action early by Gallagher with a low save but the loudest shout came from the Airdrie fans calling for an indirect free-kick after Hutton collected the awkward touch of Mendy.

But ignoring that early blip the changes were creating uncertainty for the Diamonds. With Sammon and Henderson, playing up front together. Sammon  was free to exploit the channel, and with a stepover drive towards the Airdrieonian’s goal. But even with the brilliant  build-up he could only screw his finish past the 6 yard box past the relieved Curry.

On 50 minutes, Durnan headed what looked to be a lifeline goal, but he strayed a yard offside in the build-up and accurately had his effort chalked off. Just 10 minutes later Alloa would kick themselves for not scoring when on top.

On the boundary of the 18 yard box, Kerr McInroy unleashed a piledriver through a crowd of Alloa players. The precision finish smashed the top corner of the net and added to the increasing mountain that Alloa found themselves under.

4 minutes later, Euan Henderson returned to goals via Church’s deep free-kick and Durnan’s aerial ability. He tapped home at the back post to give Alloa a possible foothold to bring themselves back in the game.

However, things looked grim minutes later, as Easton tripped over Cawley’s leg and was duly awarded a penalty. McCabe stepped up to spot kick duty. Although Hutton guessed correctly, he was beaten but the CB could not beat the bar and it ricocheted back and out of danger.

Easton was again a menace as he collected from a corner on the edge of the box. His first effort was blocked but the second attempt on his left foot was wickedly dipping towards Hutton’s goal. It rattled to post and bounced to safety as Airdrie threatened from a series of dangerous corners.

Easton would again strike the woodwork after a quick Airdrie counterattack culminated in two quick feints opening the space for a daisy cutter but the number 10 failed to convert again.

Alloa did land a golden opportunity after Adam King’s cross was fumbled by Currie after colliding with one of his own defenders. Senna was first to the ball although a myriad of Airdrieonian’s defenders blocked his route to goal he dinked it up and over for Sammon to finish. The Irishman couldn’t direct the effort goallwards with the ball harmlessly landing on the roof of the net.

Henderson would almost half the deficit with a late consolation after Mendy’s terrific dink  but Currie just managed to slap away the chance of the brace and the unlikely Alloa fightback.

After results elsewhere, we drop to 8th, picking up just two points of a possible eighteen and eight points in the last ten games.