East Fife hadn’t won since October and were without a goal since the turn of the year so Alloa’s sights were clearly set on picking up a home win against the League 1’s bottom side.

‘The Wasps’ got off to a flyer as Mark Durnan converted an in-swinging corner courtesy of Stefan Scougall. But the goal in the second minute proved to be the high point for Alloa.

Mark Durnan opens the scoring in today`s @AlloaAthleticFC @EastFifeFC @cinchuk League 1 match pic.twitter.com/Ey9ZHNEjdd

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) February 12, 2022

East Fife should have been down to ten men after Millar missed the ball and connected a lunge on Mohamed Niang’s ankle.

Despite the advantageous position they found themselves in Alloa failed to push it. East Fife grew into the game and while they demonstrated poor finishing, were finding the openings. Kyle Connell’s miss from six yards a particularly apt example as it looked easier to score.

The Wasps misery were just getting started as a lofted free kick passed over everyone. Connell folded after running into Durnan’s outstretched forearm and the referee pointed to the spot for what looked a flimsy award. Ryan Wallace stepped up to convert and equalise.

Alloa raggedly gave away possession in the middle of the park and Kyle Connell would have been in on goal but for a quick turn of pace by the captain to pass back to his goalkeeper. Inexplicably, Hutton picked up the pass-back. The only excuse was possibly expecting a whistle after a clear tug on Andy Graham launched Connell toward the Alloa goalkeeper.

Alloa set up basically on their line for the indirect free-kick. Mercer layed off to Wallace but instead of smashing it into the charging Alloa waall he passed to Connell who had been left at the back post to slot home.

Alloa were still slow and workmanlike in their approach and set pieces seemed to be the main threat and Durnan most of all. He was hauled to the ground from one corner to the ignorance of the officials and later managed a diving header into Jude Smith. That opening was despite the East Fife defender trying to take the shirt from his back.

In the second half again it was Durnan dominant in the air as he knocked a header from a deep free kick across the box. Euan Henderson and Jude Smith raced towards it, Smith won but was caught in the face by Henderson’s boot. The referee sprung to action fishing out a red card for Alloa’s top scorer. Alloa protested mainly based on the fact Henderson was grappled from behind as he raced in but to no avail.

Alloa pressed for opportunities but struggled to create anything golden with East Fife’s numerical advantage telling. They crafted a quick break and isolated the Alloa defence until Wallace squared to a free Danny Denholm to slot under Hutton.

In the end despite the contentious refereeing the Wasps were well beaten to mark the lowest point of the season. A relegation dogfight awaits.