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.

Alloa were made to rue missed chances as they failed to make the first half dominance count.

Falkirk carved the first opening as Anton Dowds was released by Telfer and he smashed low at goal but Hutton was quick and managed a strong hand before collecting.

After a quarter of an hour it was Conor Sammon, who almost made it two in three appearances against his former club but his neat outside of the foot flick rolled wide after a lovely ball in by Scott Taggart.

Henderson was next to ask the question of Mutch as he made a typical off the shoulder run in behind the Falkirk defence and saw his snapshot from outside the saved from just inside the box.

Blaise Riley-Snow almost opened another glorious opportunity for Sammon as he launched a trademarked 40 yard pass into the box, but Sammon who’d expertly peeled away could only tamely flick it in to the Falkirk keepers waiting arms.

Steven Boyd tried his arm from range as he sent a free-kick narrowly wide and minutes later the diminutive forward should have tested the keeper as he chested down a deep ball from left-back Church, and blazed a shot into the side netting with only the keeper to beat.

Falkirk were playing themselves into all kinds of trouble as Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang and Steven Boyd pressed into the Falkirk box and the Senegalese midfielder drilled a low effort that Mutch had to be smart to save.

In the second half Henderson almost launched a rocket from 35 yards but it ended narrowly wide but soon Falkirk would take control of the game.

After a patient buildup, McGuffie squared to Jaze Kabia and from the edge of the box curled a beauty into the bottom corner. The visitors were ahead in the 50th minute.

On the 58th minute, Falkirk won a free-kick from 20 yards out and McGuffie expertly directed it into the bottom corner round the wall to beat Hutton.

Twelve minutes from time Paul Watson, ever the threat in the air beat Durnan to the header, beat the keeper but smacked post and bar, but Anton Dowds was there on the line to poach the rebound and give Falkirk the unassailable lead.

Despite Alloa bringing on Kevin Cawley for a 400th appearance chances were at a premium for the Wasps, and it was the marquee signing, Leigh Griffiths who was guilty of passing up the opportunities. A neat move ended in a skied attempt over the bar and when lined up for a trademark free kick from 30 yards sent it narrowly wide for a Bairns win.

https://youtu.be/P8IvfjHoS_k

There were two possible outcomes after an ultimately close run bout on Saturday against Celtic. Pushing one of the two best sides in the country until the very end would either galvanise or drain the Wasps for their League return at Clyde.

Just from the bench it seemed to be the latter. Nine on the bench and 5 substitutes were approved this week but Alloa could only name six on the bench. Mouhamed Niang, was also missing after his citation by the compliance officer and subsequent upgrade of a yellow card to red. Although Alloa were bolstered by the loan signing of Blaise Riley-Snow from Raith who went straight into the starting 11.

Clyde had managed on Tuesday to snatch a 2-2 draw against Airdrieonians but certainly looked the sharper of the two teams as the game kicked off. They carved the first chance of the game with Docherty’s cross to Jamieson headed just wide by the on-loan St Mirren forward. The Wasps had to make a quick change as Robertson was replaced by Scougall and Alloa managed to test Parry with a particularly tasty long range effort from Kevin Cawley but it was Clyde who made the breakthrough with a ‘different’ set piece. Durnan misjudged a bounce and collided straight into the Clyde forward with his head to concede on the edge of the box. Instead of attempting the shot, the two man decoys spun away and stroked the ball around the visitors defensive wall. Aaron Splaine smashed the ball into the bottom corner past the planted Hutton.

@ClydeFC go one nil up Aaron Splaine scoring against @AlloaAthleticFC in @cinchuk league 1 match today pic.twitter.com/Vrp2PWwFwB

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022

Alloa had their moments as Sammon and Boyd linked up well but the strikes didn’t meet the quality of the build-up play. Alloa should have had a penalty just after the half hour mark when Durnan was grabbed from behind from a corner. Durnan still won the duel but could only direct the ball wide of the goal and the grapple was certainly a limiting factor. Alloa continued to be profligate for the first half.

In the second, the visitors renewed their siege on the Clyde goal. Durnan’s dink to Sammon almost was directed into the top corner but for the strong wrists of Neil Parry after the Irishman unleashed a powerful effort. Boyd and Taggart were next to see their efforts saved by Parry. Boyd, soon, wrangled his way through three men in the box and opened the opportunity for a 1v1 with the Clyde goalkeeper, but he proved to big a barrier as Boyd could only smash the shot against his sprawling legs.

Kevin Cawley almost laid a cross onto a plate for Sammon after Riley-Snow’s searching ball but as it bounced on the 6 yard box and accelerated Sammon was just an outstretched leg from equalising. Alloa should again have been awarded a penalty. The outstretched arm by Docherty was the only obstacle to Boyd’s goalbound effort but the referee wrongly ignored the Alloa complaints. While this was happening, Durnan stayed alert and rolled to Adam King but he was dragged wide after rounding Parry and could only cross the ball harmlessly back onto the penalty spot for Clyde to clear.

Sammon headed wide, and soon after carved the most clear cut chance of the game after laying off to Cammy O’Donnell the youngster’s first time cross snapped through a crowd of players. Landing perfectly for Scougall – he blazed over the bar when it looked easier to score.

@gregorytade11 puts @ClydeFC two up against @AlloaAthleticFC today. pic.twitter.com/AHEJcG3lxY

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022

As Alloa committed forward, David Goodwillie who was struggling for fitness was left with up against Andy Graham alone. The Alloa captain committed what looked a good professional foul but it came back to bite the Wasps. Docherty’s free-kick from range was on target but inexplicably David Hutton, palms the ball down to the racing Clyde veteran Gregory Tade, who duly poked home and sealed all three points for Clyde. Alloa would have a late reply amidst the chorus of ‘sacked in the morning’ as Church’s delivery into Sammon was headed into the path of Scougall. The midfielder made no mistake this time, but in the end it was too little too late for Alloa.

@Scougall10 scores @AlloaAthleticFC goal at @ClydeFC today in the 2-1 defeat in @cinchuk league 1 pic.twitter.com/gupSoThjo9

— David Glencross (@dgxwasp) January 29, 2022

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.”