Alloa have never beaten Hearts in a competitive fixture but they have regularly made an awkward game for Robbie Neilson’s sides in recent years. Both teams looking to bounce back from disappointing results at the weekend with Hearts losing to league leaders Dunfermline and Alloa losing to what looks like near rivals this season Queen of the South. Unfortunately for Alloa on the night they were quickly punished. 3 Alloa players draw to Roberts’ shot. 1 lucky rebound and Halliday in acres of space. He dinked the cross over Naismith but Michael Smith who was charging into the space vacated at the back post drilled home past helpless Parry to make it 1-0. Halliday threatened himself soon after but smashed his effort over the bar. On 24 minutes, he would make no mistake. Alloa having opened themselves up once more left Hearts and Halliday with a gaping hole to roll him in and he slotted past the goalkeeper to double the ‘Jam Tart’s’ lead. A third through the game and Alloa had a strong shout for a penalty denied as Berra tripped Thomson as a deep freekick was floated in. Officials ignored the contact but almost a free way back into the game for the Wasps. Alloa were caught again soon after in transition from a corner. With Grant getting sucked out to the touchline and Thomson and Trouten left on defensive duties Walker breezed in behind to cut back to Haring. His first time effort sealed the victory after only 37 minutes. In the second half there was a competitive nature to Alloa. Innes Murray with a low daisy cutter grabbing a rare shot on target. The damage had been done in the first half and the second was a routine and fairly drab affair. Boyce did make the highlight reel after winning a penalty with the one time Hearts opened up Alloa in the second half. He poorly executed his effort from the spot with Parry saving low to his right but was given a reprieve as the Alloa goalkeeper came off his line. With the second attempt, he opted for power. Drilling it almost centrally at Parry’s goal. The power was a bit too much and he smashed the crossbar with the ball ricocheting high into the stand behind. Alloa didn’t crumble in the second half and kept it competitive but they’ll need to find some guile up front and some defensive solidity to meet Hearts in the Betfred Cup on Saturday with any hope of progressing.