ALLAN Maitland has been sacked as manager of Alloa Athletic after the club's defeat at home against league champions Livingston.

The 3-1 defeat means the Wasps face the end-of season drama of the play-offs in a last-ditch attempt to retain their place in the Second Division.

Club chairman Mike Mulraney informed the manager of the decision immediately after the match.

Maitland joined the Wasps in January 2006 - ironically, his first game in charge was a cup tie victory over Livingston, who were then in the Premier League.

During his five and a half years in charge, the former Hamilton Accies boss appeared to be steering the club in the right direction and, last season, narrowly missed out on winning the Second Division title and promotion to the First Division on the last day of the season.

Hopes were high this season that the Wasps would mount another serious challenge for promotion but, after a promising start, the club fell away and, since the turn of the year, results have been extremely poor.

Defeat on Saturday, coupled with Stenhousemuir's win at Peterhead, means Alloa face Annan Athletic in the play-offs this Wednesday's at Galabank and then at Recreation Park on Saturday.

Scott Walker and Brown Ferguson will take charge of the team on a joint caretaker manager basis for these matches.

Go to http://www.alloaathletic.co.uk/BlogView.aspx?pageid=2&ItemID=534&mid=2 to see the club's statement.