Competition: Championship

Ayr United v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” for the first time this season suffered their third defeat in a row going down 2-1 to Ayr United at Somerset Park, who had their goalkeeper Ross Doohan to thank for earning them all three points after he made a great save right at the end to deny a goalbound Liam Buchanan shot, so tight are the margins in this league.

The conditions were far from ideal as the game started with torrential rain and a swirling cutting wind blowing havoc. Ayr had the benefit in the first half and made good use of conditions, shooting on sight.

They went ahead after only six minutes, Alan Forrest’s cross headed towards goal by Ross Docherty, before the unfortunate Jon Robertson headed the ball in the other corner away from Jamie MacDonald. Six minutes later Ross Docherty again found fortunate in the fact he headed downwards into the ground and the ball bounced up high past Jamie MacDonald.

Again giving teams two goals of a start is not helping and “The Wasps” had to thank Jamie MacDonald who produced top drawer saves from Craig Moore & Stephen Kelly in a first half Alloa had to dig deep.

Manager Peter Grant was limited to options with Liam Dick serving the second of his two match suspension after being red carded against Inverness CT and Iain Flannigan was serving a one match suspension after a accumulation of yellow cards, Adam Brown returned to the bench after missing last 4 games after injury against Dunfermline Athletic, young Cameron O’Donnell made his first start for the club and did well in the first half, nearly scoring with a header just before half-time before Adam Brown was introduced for the second half.

The conditions improved in the second half and Alloa began to work their way back into the game with Kevin O’Hara looking dangerous. On 67 minutes he was to score his sixth goal of the season a long ball out of defence was headed down by Andy Graham then flicked on by Alan Trouten to Kevin O’Hara who thundered his shot high into the top corner of the net.

The players to their credit kept going and looked the more likely to score, their best opportunity came in the final minute when Robert Thomson battled well to get a cross into the box which fell ti Liam Buchanan, but his netbound effort was saved by at outstretched toe of keeper Ross Doohan to deny Alloa a share of the points.

Liam Buchanan is denied in final minute of game
Jon Robertson diverts Ross Docherty header into the net
Ross Docherty (23) header bounces up into net
Jamie MacDonald in top form at Somerset Park.
Cameron O'Donnell's header goes close just on half-time
Adam Brown returns after injury
Kevin O'Hara fires in Alloa goal
peter grant at somerset park

The two goals we lost today were very poor goals to lose and I know people can blame the conditions which were very difficult in the first half, but the way we play we try to keep the ball on the deck, but defending set plays in these conditions is more difficult. For the first goal we were slow getting out pressing the ball and at the second goal it was a mishit shot and the boy breaks in and gets a goal, we knew we would have to dig in and the conditions affected the first half,  I thought Ayr United deserved to be in front, because of the pressure they put us under but in the second half if we had scored with the chance right at the end, I think it would have been only fair had we scored, but that’s football when you are down and miss that chance and if there is anybody I wanted it to fall to it was Liam Buchanan or Alan Trouten, it was a great save, not a bad miss.

I do not look at Partick Thistle, even when they were at the bottom of the table, I said I thought they would be fine, they have the players and a full squad, they have two squads of players so I don’t see them having a problem, they are just needing a run of football and a bit of belief, for the rest of us we have guys going out on the pitch at times, who are unfit, that is one of the problems we have at this moment and having to play youngsters. Young Cammy O’Donnell came in from the start today and did very well, it was just a tactical switch at half-time, Adam Brown coming on after a period out through injury and because he has a wonderful strike on him, we also had a couple of suspensions but the one thing about my squad is they all want to play. Robbie Deas is on loan from Celtic and part of the deal is he had to play for them in midweek and he has a bit of a tight hamstring, so it is not easy, but the great credit I have to give to the players, is it is easy to throw the towel in when you are bottom of the league or say you are not fit but all these boys are desperate to play, so for that reason I was really disappointed to lose the game I thought we at least merited a point.

We stay positive in our approach but we realise you have a problem when you are not winning games of football, that’s the job we are paid to do – coaches, managers, players together, but I would also have liked to have come here and played rubbish and won, but that was not the case and I have a great belief in these guys, I know the way we can play and I know we will create chances and get opportunities but there is a long way to go in this season. I keep saying even in the last day of the season last year there were three different teams who could have went down on the day and that’s where we need to take it, but I would be more worried if we didn’t have the quality of player and hopefully we can bring in some guys to help over the Christmas period in the transfer window.

We need to start winning games but we also need to start taking the chances when they fall to us and can’t keep conceding the goals we have, simple goals which leave us chasing the games.
2 - 1
Full Time

Dundee United v Alloa Athletic

It was always going to be a difficult match at Tannadice against the league leaders Dundee United, who had just won five games in a row and were still unbeaten in the league at Tannadice this season. The home side started very brightly and looked to get their noses if front, but it was “The Wasps” who took the lead in unusal circumstances after twelve minutes, Scott Taggart’s cross from the right wing came off the head of United defender Mark Reynold’s under pressure from Alan Trouten to put through jis own net.

Jamie MacDonald was a busy man in the Alloa goal having to pull off saves from mainly long range efforts but sadly the visitors were to lose a goal deep in time added on just before the interval. Having managed to keep the home side at bay for the bulk of the first half, we lost possession in midfield looking to get forward when holding on to possession would have been less costly, the ball played through to Nicky Clark who grabbed the equaliser, just as home fans were begining to get restless.

Ten minutes into the second half, Dundee United were to get in front, Louis Appere running on to a Ian Harkes pass to score at back post. The timing of both goals did not help “The Wasps”

The the Alloa players credit they never gave in and it was the Dundee United supporters who were desperate to hear the final whistle. Alloa’s last chance fell to Robert Thomson in front of goal but he chose to try a pass to Alan Trouten which was intercepted and the chance lost.

Alloa take the lead through Reynolds own goal
Alan Trouten & Scott Taggart celebrate goal
Nicky Clark grabs equalier just on half-time
Louis Appere scores at the back post
Great chance to equalise
peter grant at tannadice

In the first half we had to dig in when you come to places like Tannadice and that was the same when I came as a player, it’s always a place where there is a fast start that’s the way Dundee United play and we gave too many set plays away, throw ins, corners and we were under the cosh a bit. Jamie MacDonald did exceptionally well from long distance shots and we blocked efforts but that is part of the job, but to lose the goal as we did just on half-time, I was really disappointed to say the least because we were in possession of the ball and we should have held it and start again, but we tried to go forward and gave away possession which is lack of experience and a bad time to lose a goal going in at half-time.

In the second half I thought we played a lot of good stuff, when you look at it the players Dundee United have and everything else which is different between the two clubs, if you had been up here watching the game for the first time and you hear Dundee United fans whistling for the full time whistle, I think that tells you enough of how we finished the game. However losing the second goal as we did, a ball up the inside of our full back shouldn’t happen, but how can Scott Taggart be five yards in front and then Louis Appere be five yards in front of him – there is only one way as he pulled him back. I don’t like complaining about things like that after you have lost a game of football. We are not Dundee United, we are not one of the big clubs but we look for the same consistency of decisions. I feel for the referees because of all the new decisions but when they start to cost you and they have this season.

Dundee United supporters were desperate for the final whistle and near the end Robbie Thomson should have a strike, we created the chance and he knows that but the players take great credit for the way we tried to play here and in the two games we have played Dundee United I think we have been more than a match for them, but they can ask questions in a different way because of the players they have but I give nothing but credit to these boys but the bottom line is we have to learn how to win that’s the bottom line in football.
2 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

peter grant after home defeat to inverness

I thought the team were outstanding, but goals change games everybody knows that and the timing of the goals weren’t ideal but I can’t give nothing but praise to the players, we created chances, maybe not enough, we got in right good positions, probably the final shot or pass wasn’t good enough and consistent enough, but effort and commitment people always talk about and I thought the way we played was outstanding, but at important times in the game we missed good opportunities and that final pass.

A couple of decisions including the first goal, I heard Jamie shouting but Scott had decided to head it which lead to an own goal, and losing the second goal just on the stroke of half-time was crucial which gave us a mountain to climb in the second half.

Then we lost a player, to be fair I would like to see it again, I usually got a bonus for a tackle like that but now it is an ordering off! It would be unfair to criticise the referee without seeing it again. I thought in the first half we should have had a penalty kick when at 0-0 for a tackle on Alan Trouten which beggars belief, considering the free kicks the referee then gave later for wee shoves, so it must have been a stone waller if that was the case. If we had managed to go 1-0 up, against our style of play, it would have been very difficult for the opposition but they got the lift at the right time but I can’t heap nothing but praise on my players.

It is again nice to hear opposition managers praise our players and the fact that many of them could make it as full time players, I have no doubt in these players talents but the bottom line is we are second bottom of the league, although our performances might not deserve that position, we have maybe had 3 below standard performances this season but for me the players give everything and we are playing the hardest way to play at the moment because of our position in a very difficult league, we might have to be more ruthless in both boxes, with a desire not to concede and the desire to get in the box and finish which is most important, what you do outside these boxes is nice, good to watch, great movement but the bottom line is we need to win games of football and find a way to win. I know I have the players who can win games, I know the way we play will win us games but we have to stop losing silly goals. If we had got the penalty kick I believe it would have been a completely different game.
0 - 2
Full Time
1 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dunfermline Athletic

“The Wasps” gained their first league victory since the Friday night live game against league leaders Dundee United by defeating Dunfermline Athletic 2-1 where Alloa were rewarded for sticking to their game plan and winning by dominating the midfield and getting stronger as the game went on and deservedly scoring the winning goal with eighteen minutes to go.

Dunfermline came into the game on the back of a rich vein of form having lost only one match in their last seven and winning three of their last four matches. The Wasps had been playing well but just not getting the results that their play merited. The first half was a half of two penalty’s, firstly “The Wasps” took the lead after Lee Ashcroft fouled Kevin O’Hara in the box and Alan Trouten converted the penalty to extent his goalscoring record against “The Pars”

Just after the half hour the visitors were to draw level when Alan Trouten tripped Kevin Nisbet just inside the box and the striker made no mistake to score his eleventh goal of the season. Just before half-time Alloa had to make a substitution with Adam Brown pulling up with what looked a hamstring injury and ex Dunfermline forward Robert Thomson entered the game.

Alloa gained in confidence in the second half and controlled the midfield, however Dunfermline were still dangerous on the break and Wasps keeper Jamie MacDonald had to look lively to twart Kevin Nisbet who always looked a threat.

“The Wasps” took the lead on 72 minutes when Kevin Cawley ghosted in unmarked at the back post to head home his 59th Alloa career goal in his 325th first team appearance.

In the final eighteen minutes “The Wasps” could have extended their lead when Kevin Cawley in good position fired high over the bar.

Lee Ashcroft clearly fouls Kevin O'Hara for penalty
Alan Trouten opens the scoring
Kevin O'Hara effort just slips over the bar
Kevin Cawley scores winning goal at back post
Kevin Cawley fires over the bar
peter grant after victory over dunfermline

Last week was a massive blow for us, I thought we played really well for 80% of the game but lost the game, and I thought it was the same thing this week again having dominated early on we moved the ball really well and it is a great credit to this group of boys because I think the way they play, even when they are not winning games of football, they are trying to do the right things and yes they have made errors and again it could have cost us again today by giving away a penalty from us having good possession then giving it away but it again shows the character of them.

Sometimes you have to win ugly and I think we need to give Robbie Thomson great credit today as well, you need to defend from the front and I thought he was brilliant when he came on and I thought that was a big plus for us. We have been struggling with injuries, Jon Robertson had to go into the middle of the pitch for the first time this season, Jamie MacDonald had to make some important saves and Andy Graham, typical performance and continued in the game when most players would have wanted to come off after suffering a head knock, all in all the performance, the result today is something we have richly deserved.

It is our first win in five league games, the difference between winning games and drawing is massive we had two draws in that time which turned into wins would have made a big difference, we like to play well but sometimes you need to win ugly as well and take the three points you have to do that at times and we have not done that often enough. There was a desire not to concede to-day, Dunfermline are a big strong side with excellent delivery and a front four who work you really hard and I thought we defended that ever so well, we also moved the ball well, even although we had guys playing in different positions for the first time this season and I think they deserve great credit today.
2 - 1
Full Time

Arbroath v Alloa Athletic

Disappointingly “The Wasps” once again gave themselves a mountain to climb by going down two goals before half-time for the third game in succession. Manager Peter Grant saying “We cannot afford to give the opposition a start, losing two goals when we were in possession, I know the quality we have and knew we would come back but we can’t keep pulling out all the stops after falling behind”

Bobby Linn put the home side ahead after 16 minutes, Robbie Deas then went close at the other end with a header which bounced over the bar. Ex Wasp Luke Donnelly then doubled the home team advantage scoring at the back post.

Alan Trouten pulled a goal back for “The Wasps” when he ran through and slid home his ninth goal of the season.

“The Wasps” played some fantastic football in the second half and always looked like we would get another chance to at least equalise.

The best opportunity fell late in the game to Jon Robertson, but with the goal at his mercy his effort went over the bar.

At full stretch
Jon Robertson shot goes over the bar
Adam Brown's shot is blocked
Trouten halves the deficit
peter grant after losing at gayfield

The way the boys play it is a great credit to them when other people compliment them but we cannot afford to give goals away the way we have been doing. We cannot chase every single game by giving the opposition a start, we know we are a good side as I said when I took the job, I want to play with a certain style but against the ball I want us to be the ugliest team in the division.

Right at the start of the game we were in possession on the two occasions we lost the two goals which is quite incredible but this is not the first time it has happened and that’s the galling thing, if you were to take the goals away from the game I think the general way we played was excellent and we had a great chance which fell to Jon Robertson near the end to equalise but you cannot keep chasing in this division trying to come back from losing two goals. Great credit to the boys they kept going and showed some wonderful skills in passing and moving but the bottom line is, it’s when the ball goes in the net, that’s what counts, which we didn’t do along with giving away cheap goals.

We are trying to win in a certain style, but trying to win, if you had said to me we didn’t play well but we had won I would have been delighted, because you have to find a way to win and that’s what we are trying to do, we are not here to get plaudits we are here to try and win games of football and I am not stupid the bottom line is you have to win games of football and I know I have the players who are more than capable of winning games of football, that’s the pleasing thing, if I was sitting here thinking, will we just boot it up the pitch because I do not have the quality to win games of football I would be panicking but I know we have the quality but we have to stop giving teams two goals of a start.

We have been getting into the final third too many times where the final choice wasn’t there or the ball just wouldn’t break and you have to give Arbroath credit, they defended their lines really well and kept us away from the goal, but that is the art of defending, you have to defend your goal – we were in possession twice and lose two goals, that can’t be right and that is the time if you are full time you can have time to work on, it’s certainly not their character, they have better character than any of the full time professionals I have ever worked with, their character is magnificent, their desire to train, their desire to play is phenomenal.

I know I have the players to turn this around, we are going through a bad moment of results at this period of time, not performance wise just on results and let’s be honest that’s the bottom line, you need to get results in games of football.
2 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dundee

This was a far improved Dundee side whom “The Wasps” had played at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park on 14th September, 2019, when “The Dee” held on for a 2-1 victory, in the end playing for time in a game which could have changed if Alloa had converted a second half penalty. The signing of Graham Dorrans a week later on a one year contract has transformed their team.

It is no surprise James McPake and the Dundee supporters were claiming their performance at the Indodrill Stadium on Tuesday night was their best performance of the season so far. The visitors took the lead in the fifteenth minute through Kane Hemmings and extended their lead six minutes before half time when he again was on target.

Alloa had limited chances in the first half, being closed down and not being able to get on the ball enough. Adam Brown had a shot at goal, Kevin O’Hara was crowded out and even when Liam Buchanan looked to have pulled a goal back, it was ruled out for what looked a very tight offside call.

Unlike against Queen of the South on the Saturday, there was no overturning a two goal deficit for the second time in a week. Alloa were much improved following the half-time break the players gave everything but it was a night which belonged to Dundee. Liam Buchanan had a good opportunity but his shot  went over the bar from Scott Taggart’s cross.

Fifteen minutes before full-time Kane Henmmings would this time set up substitute Sean Mackie, who netted his first goal for the club after joining on loan from Hibernian.

Kane Hemmings puts Dundee ahead on 15 mins
Kane Hemmings again 2-0, 39 mins
Kevin O'Hara effort is blocked by Dundee defence
Liam Buchanan effort is ruled offside
Sean Mackie taps home into empty net
peter grant after home defeat to dundee

The better team won, it’s the first time we’ve been outplayed, Dundee played very well, however I was disappointed at ourselves, but you have to give credit to the opposition, I thought they were excellent.

It was a hard one to take, we didn’t play well and the opposition did play well and they punished us, we weren’t good enough on the ball, which is our strength, we got turned over too many times and we got done when we were in possession of the ball and lost two or three of the goals, if you do that you are going to suffer especially against quality players.

The boys have never let us down here; yes we have had some difficult days but that is the first time we have been outplayed by anybody, great credit to Dundee and we know we have to improve, the boys are hurting as we all are but I thought a lot of it was our own doing.
0 - 3
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

The Wasps are now unbeaten in their last four SPFL Championship fixtures and although they came back from being 2-0 down on Saturday against Queen of the South they were disappointed they didn’t collect all three points.

Alloa lost the toss and played towards the Clackmannan Road in the first half, as always in all Championship matches the first goal is so important, and the best chance of the first period just on 30 minutes could have seen the home side go ahead, Kevin O’Hara’s header was blocked and then Kevin Cawley’s shot was blocked by defender Kevin Holt, it broke free and Kevin Holt blocked for the second time on the line. Three minutes later it was Queen’s who took the lead after no other than Stephen Dobbie broke into the box and fired low into the bottom corner of the net. If this wasn’t bad enough ex Wasp Jack Hamilton headed home a minute later to give the visitors an unlikely 2-0 lead.

Having played a lot of good football “The Wasps” paid the price for a lapse of concentration for a minute and not being more clinical in front of goal. Manager Peter Grant introduced Liam Buchanan at half-time who had played so well and scored at Inverness the previous week and it proved fruitful. Alan Trouten played his way into the opposition box and scored his eighth goal of the season.

Just as Queen’s had inflicted in the first half, “The Wasps” were then to equalise within a minute, Kevin O’Hara firing home to level the scoring.

Both managers could look back to what could have been in a four goal thriller, the character of the Alloa Athletic players could never be questioned and a draw was the minimum the deserved out of the fixture.

Rainbow over the Indodrill Stadium
Kevin Holt blocks Kevin Cawley shot
The ball somehow still manages to stay out
Alan Trouten pulls goal back
Game on
Kevin O'Hara sends ball high into the top corner 2-2
Celebrations at 2-2
peter grant after 2-2 draw with qos

I think we had a great chance to go ahead just after the half hour when the score line was 0-0, we miss it and that changed the game a little bit but to then lose the goals the way we did, which were two terrible goals from my point of view, losing one was bad enough but to lose two goals in quick succession was incredible and that has happened too often at home this season, we have periods like that which is something we have to irradiate from our game.

The one thing I know about this group of players they have an unbelievable character and commitment to this football club and they proved that again in the second half. I get more annoyed with them because I know the standards they set, day in day out when they come here to train. I know the levels they perform at, even last week at Inverness going from 2-1 down late in the game to get a late equaliser and a vital point up there, I could never question their character but today at half-time I was so disappointed, probably frustrated and angry all in the one, because we were giving ourselves too much to do. The demands that they demand of their selves is incredible, to come here and train after long shifts at work and to show that commitment again in the second half, I’m very proud of the spirit they have but frustrated because I think it is two points dropped rather than one gained.

We had great possession and were on top before Queen’s took the lead, but we had a great chance in front of goal just prior to their opening goal. There were probably too many players round about the ball and it was a big chance. We had a lot of the ball but didn’t work their goalkeeper enough. I made a slight change at half-time, Kevin Cawley who has been outstanding for us, but it just wasn’t working for him in the first half and I had to change something, and I thought that worked well, not the fact that Kevin came off I just thought bring Alan Trouten who has a game to understand and pick up and find space and he gets his goal. Liam Buchanan has been excellent and it has been very harsh to leave him out because he is an outstanding striker and he has been outstanding around the boys as well, and Kevin O’Hara had a fantastic finish to draw us level, the game was strange the two goals came in quick succession for both teams but I’m probably going away home more frustrated than Allan Johnston, I’m thinking two points dropped, he is probably a point gained.
2 - 2
Full Time

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Alloa Athletic

Alan Trouten’s late equaliser was well deserved as “The Wasps” faced Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the second week in a row having returned empty handed last week in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup. Manager Peter Grant always believed that they could take something from The Tulloch Caledonian Stadium having watched his side create chances the previous week.

A great passing move by “The Wasps” on the right side of the pitch saw Kevin Cawley playing in Liam Buchanan to curl his effort past Mark Ridgers for his fourth goal of the season after only five minutes.

“The Wasps” were certainly holding their own in the first half and nobody could complain about them going in ahead at half-time. In the second half Inverness were to draw level just after the hour when their captain Carl Tremarco unleashed a shot which flew into the top corner of the net.

As the game entered the final ten minutes it looked as if the match would end drawn but there was still drama to unfold. The home side were pushing for a winner but Alloa were still creating good chances,  Andy Graham’s header just went wide from a corner before Jordan White grabbed what looked like it might be the winner heading home five minutes from the end. However Alloa never gave in and that man Alan Trouten ghosted in at the back post in the closing minutes to knock Inverness CT from the top of the league table with his seventh goal of the season. in time added on Inverness CT substitute James Keatings again nearly stole the points with a free kick which struck the cross bar.

At the end of the day it was a good point away from home and thoroughly deserved.

Thanks to Ken Macpherson from Inverness CT for pictures

Liam Buchanan opens the scoring
Thumbs up from Buchs
Carl Tremarco equaliser 1-1
Alan Trouten scores 2-2
Thanks to the travelling fans
peter grant at inverness

Today was like other games in the fact you are pleased with certain aspects of the game and there are things you are disappointed with, young Nathan who was making his debut done tremendous against two wide players who are probably as good as any other in the league, he made one error and that shows you the difference at the levels when you come up into first team football, that’s what people are capable of if you make a mistake and you get punished, the timing of the goal wasn’t great but up until then both teams tried to play, there were chances in the game but I thought we created as much as Inverness Caley did and I was very pleased with a lot of today.

We were always in the game, the second goal took a cruel deflection but then after Alan Trouten had a great opportunity at a crucial stage in the match which came of the post, we are a team who will always create chances and I think we have the players to be capable of doing that. The goals we lost, the referee has to look at himself especially at the last one, and if that wasn’t a push I have never seen a push. We are used to these decisions just now, I have said before “ I think it is poor old Alloa” we can give decisions against them and it doesn’t matter but it does to us because the boys work extremely hard and I get really disappointed for them because I think certain decisions in the game went against us, anybody who seen when he gave a free kick and it’s our free kick, they take it quick their player was offside, brings it back and still makes them take it again, some of the decisions were quite incredible but that never cost us the game.

I thought a lot of good football was played by both sides but we now need to move on to ne0xt week and come back here again knowing it will be another very though game. Every time you take part in a cup tie you want to win it and tonight there is disappointment in our dressing room because we are out of the cup, people might laugh at it but there is nothing better than to pick up a badge or medal at the end of the season that is what everybody wants to do in their footballing career, but we will be back here next week and our concentration now is the league programme, but as  I have said before anybody we play will know they have been in a game and Inverness would have known that today, we also knew we had been in a game because they are a good side so we know we will need to be at our best next week and hopefully I will have more players to chose from.
2 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dundee United

Playing in front of the BBC TV Cameras on Friday evening, Alloa Athletic proved just how good a team they can be and thoroughly deserved their victory and all three points against league leaders, Dundee United.

The winning goal came as early as the 18th minute and was a joy to watch, not just for the supporters at the Indodrill Stadium but in front of all the people watching live on BBC Scotland.

Scott Taggart played a slide rule pass inside Dundee United defender Liam Smith and played in Kevin Cawley, who cut the ball back across the face of the box for Kevin O’Hara to score past United keeper Benjamin Siegrist.

The Wasps were on top in the first half and should have gone further ahead, only a last ditch block by Troy Brown denied Iain Flannigan while Adam Brown had a shot saved and Kevin O’Hara shot just curled over the bar.

In the second half Dundee United had more possession and pressure but Alloa stood their ground, concentrated and were very competitive and always looked dangerous on the break with Adam Brown and Kevin O’Hara stretching the United defence.

Indeed United keeper Benjamin Siegrist allowed a Mark Reynolds passback to go under his foot and he had to scramble back to clear the ball from crossing the line.

Three minutes from the end of the game referee Greg Aitken showed Iain Flannigan a second yellow card on the evening after a foul on substitute Louis Appere but the defence stood resolute for a famous victory.

Kevin O'Hara celebrates putting Alloa in front
Celebrations in front of TV Cameras
Fantastic block bt Troy Brown denies Flannigan
Alloa pile on the pressure
So close to being 2-0
Adam Brown stretching the United defence
Dundee United keeper up for last chance corner
peter grant after victory over leaders dundee united

I think anybody who has seen the game might have thought we might have had a couple of other goals in the first half, we know we were played against an excellent side, who can cause you major problems with their very good players, but I have said to people before if they have listened to me, that we have very good players also, or best defenders were our front men and or best attackers were our defenders because they got on the ball used it very well and when didn’t have possession of the ball the strikers worked so hard to put the opposition under pressure and not to let them get easy balls forward. All round I was chuffed with the whole performance, we knew we would be under the cosh at a certain period but I think to a man everybody stood to their guns and concentrated and were committed and competitive and I think that is so important when you are a footballer.

I genuinely thought that we played really well, scored a great goal, but as I said to you we have to respect these players, I know they are part-time and people keep mentioning that fact but they are good players, it is not worth for some of the players to go full-time, because of the jobs they have, you have to respect that these kids can play, I see them training and that’s why I got disappointed after the  Ayr United and Arbroath games, which is no disrespect to them but we didn’t turn up and it’s not because we are part-time, because I see the way they train every week and that’s where the disappointment comes because I can see the way they train and the way they prepare and what you have seen tonight is how they perform in training. They got their just rewards tonight but we have got to make sure we turn this into a fortress, because the results have not been good enough at home, I don’t like to look back but I think it is so important we build on that result tonight because all your home games are your most important games to take three points from because if you lose at home it is not easy to go and win away in this league. Chuffed with tonight but we must move on and start focusing on next week that is the way football is. You will live with this, enjoy your weekend and then we will get back to work on Tuesday night.

Kevin O’Hara has been excellent for me, he is a young man who had probably been out of the game for about a year not playing much football and I had seen him playing with my son at Falkirk and I thought he was too good a talent to loose and I got an opportunity in the summer to talk to him, his big choice did he want to go part-time and he was delighted to do that, he came here and I think he has been excellent for us, he gives us something different, but then you look when Liam Buchanan comes on, he was excellent for us using his experience very well, he is a different type of striker, I have Robert Thomson who I know can effect a game, I have Alan Trouten who has been excellent, so I have four strikers who I think when I have them all fit, I can mix the way we play and I think that is so important and every one of them has had a big effect when they have played for the team so if we can keep them all fit we will be ok.

Lawrence Shankland puts me in mind when I played against Ally McCoist, when you don’t give him a sniff but he still managed to put the ball in the back of the net, so the concentration levels have to be spot on, right from the start to the ninety fifth minute, Lawrence is a terrific player and thoroughly deserves his call up to the Scotland National side, you create him chances and he will score goals it doesn’t matter if is at International level or club level whatever and that’s why when Oli McBurnie gets a lot of criticism, how many chances has he missed? If you miss the chances you have a right for people to criticise you but not when there are no chances created and I thought we defended really well tonight led by Andy Graham but I thought young Robbie Deas a young man learning his trade, Scott Taggart, Jon Robertson who was playing on the opposite side of the pitch tonight through injuries, Jamie MacDonald’s experience also showed tonight, I could go right through the team and it would be unfair not to mention any one player because I thought they were all terrific tonight and it was a thoroughly deserved result.
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