Reaction

Alloa triumphed over a bright Montrose team with two first half goals from ‘Sena’ and King.

Alloa were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday against Airdrieonians. Sammon was a catalyst for the half hour fightback in that game and he rightfully started up front. Church came in at left back and Robertson slotted back into his natural CM position for Kevin Cawley. Scougall was another notable absentee, but his partner is just about to give birth so probably a wise decision not to travel.

Alloa started in very disjointed fashion with a loud claim for a penalty denied by referee Alan Newlands. It was one that was almost certainly a foul as Robertson clattered through the back of Blair Lyons. Still, Newlands wouldn’t have long to wait to award a penalty, even more galling when this time, Lyons rounded Hutton, knocked the ball too wide and clipped his own heels to win the spot kick. Up stepped Lewis Milne to the spot to deliver an effort wide of Hutton’s post, both bereft of power and placement, and probably covered anyway by the Alloa goalkeeper guessing the correct way.

The Wasps almost suckered today’s hosts when Niang and Sammon won the ball high up the park but spurned their opportunity to take a clear shot with Niang blocked as he checked back into the cul-de-sac of defenders. Montrose continued to look the more likely to score until the 26th minute when Whatley was robbed by the marauding Niang and the midfielder drilled it low to Allan Fleming’s left side and into the net.

Craig Brown was the next to line up an opportunity as Craig Johnston neatly laid off inside the 18 yard box. The story of Montrose’s day seemed to be the lack of finishing ability as their interplay well merited a goal.

Again, the visitors proved more adept going forward as Henderson drove to the corner flag, Dillon could only clear as far as Niang, who played himself into space with a neat one-two with Henderson before squaring to King and winning an Alloa advantage. King, though, in inspired fashion blazed an effort into the top corner leaving Montrose stunned and Alloa comfortable despite a trying half.

In the second period the Wasps defended the lead well and indeed looked to increase their lead. Hutton’s penalty box was only catching practice for the remainder of the half, except for a late Andrew Steeves effort which would have found the bottom corner if not for the cushioned glove of the Alloa goalkeeper while Fleming in the Montrose goal denied Henderson from close range, was almost lobbed from deep by King and had an effort from Cawley cleared off the line by one of his defenders after both he and Steven Boyd had rounded the Gable Endies stopper.

Alloa’s first away win in the league lifts them to within 3 points of leaders Queen’s Park, although the same can be said for almost the whole league with 3 points between 7th placed Falkirk and the summit.