Reaction

A last minute Kevin McDonald penalty snatched a draw for “The Wasps” in a game they created enough chances that they should have taken full points, even after the late penalty Stuart Noble and Bryan Prunty had opportunities to grab all three points after referee Eddie Smith turned down what could have been the fourth penalty of the afternoon. This was a day when Alloa Athletic gained excellent media coverage due to the fact of the Recreation Park’s 3G surface and the club’s appetite to play the match, even although every other senior fixture in Scotland had been cancelled due to the recent snow and freezing conditions. Peterhead themselves also played a big part in their willingness to play the game but slack defending cost Alloa both goals, Peterhead goalkeeper John Bateman however was in sparking form – saving the 1st Kevin McDonald penalty and had an even better double save later in the second half once “The Wasps” had came back strongly in the second period, Darren Smith who had been suffering the effects of the flu was replaced by Jim Lister and his presence caused the Peterhead defence lots of problems. This was a chance for Alloa to climb back up the league and after a great victory in their last game against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, manager Allan Maitland was certainly looking to pick up another three league points but scoring so late in the game it felt more like a point gained rather than two points dropped.

allan maitland after draw

Considering the team have not trained or played for 10 days the effort was fantastic and a point was the least we deserved. Their goalkeeper had a magnificent game – it was a great save from Stuart Noble in the first half and an even better double save in the second half and of course the penalty save as well but from our point of view we feel we have to score with this opportunities. If we had scored the first penalty maybe the momentum of the game would have went our way. I have to be pleased at getting a point in a game we were losing with only five minutes to go. I am pleased that we have managed to keep our unbeaten record intact at Recreation Park this season. When you score such a late goal it has to be a point gained rather than two points lost. Peterhead are a good side and they took their second goal particularly well and that is because we had given them too much room in the middle of the park – we have great spirit at this club and do not know when we are beat and I am delighted that we got a point at the end of the game. We would like to have won but it’s a point gained at the end of the day. Although a lot of the media coverage has raised the profile of the club this weekend it is not my concern. It has been great work by everybody to get the game on and I have tried to focus on the game and nice to see the club getting good recognition but if we don’t win the three points it’s not good enough for me.