NEW Alloa manager Jack Ross saw his first match in charge end in a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren despite a spirited display at the Indodrill Stadium. 

The Wasps made one change from the side that beat Livingston as the injured Graeme Holmes was replaced by Kyle McAusland, while youngster Scott Hynd returned from injury to take his place on the bench. 

It was the visitors who fired the first shot across the opponents bow and it was to be a sign of things to come as Aberdeen loanee Lawrence Shankland found former Wasp Calum Gallagher in space inside the box, but his shot was wide of the mark. 

Alloa responded well and when good play from Kyle McAusland to win possession allowed them to counter quickly, a shooting chance fell for Connor McManus, but his effort was diverted wide by Andy Webster. 

The visitors went in front on 13 minutes, however, and what a goal it was. A piece of brilliance from Stephen Mallan in the middle of the park saw him nutmeg Iain Flannigan before picking out the run of Shankland with a clever pass of the top of the Alloa defence, and the young striker made no mistake as he clipped the ball home with a chipped finish over Andy McNeil. 

The Saints could have doubled their lead five minutes late when McNeil misjudged the flight of a Paul McMullan cross in the strong wind and lost out to Gallagher on the edge of the area, but the Wasps keeper recovered well to make a good double save at point blank range to spare his blushes. 

The Paisley side should have been out of sight when McMullan’s cross fell to Gallagher in the box, but somehow the former Rangers youngster blasted wide from close range. 

Alloa ended the half on top and produced three decent chances to score before the break. Clever play between Iain Flannigan and McManus created a shooting chance for Robbie Crawford, but the shot was well off target. 

It was then the turn of Michael Duffy to try and inspire his side on 38 minutes when he burst past two players, fed Flannigan on the wide left, before getting on the end of the cutback to shoot, but Webster was there to make a crucial block to deny the Northern Irishman. 

The final chance of the half was a bizarre moment when Saints’ keeper Jamie Langfield almost gifted Alloa an equaliser as he came out of his area to clear the ball, only to miscue into the path of Flannigan. Unfortunately, the Wasps start tried to lob the ball back over the keeper and this allowed him to clutch the ball and diffuse the danger. 

The hosts came out rejuvenated after the interval and started the second period well. Crawford’s long diagonal on 51 minutes picked out the run of Duffy in behind, but after a superb touch and cross, there were no takers for the home side and St Mirren scrambled clear. 

Alloa continued to press and McManus’ cross bounced up nicely for Duffy in the box, but the acrobatic effort was blocked away for a corner. 

Alex Rae’s new side made their hosts pay for not taking their chances when they doubled their advantage on 59 minutes. Mallan picked out the run of Shankland down the right in a quick counter attack and his cutback gave Gallagher the simple task of tapping home for 2-0. 

It might have been 3-0 when Shankland once again tried to be the creator as he picked out McMullan on the right side of the box with a clever ball, but the young Celt’s effort was well saved by McNeil. 

The introduction of Eddie Ferns then Scott Hynd looked to give Alloa more of an attacking threat in the closing stages. Ferns’ impact was almost immediate as he wriggled free of two defenders into the box, but could only screw his shot wide of the post. 

St Mirren midfielder Scott Agnew then produced an excellent save from McNeil as he drilled in a 25 yard free kick towards goal. 

Alloa almost made it an interesting finish to the game when Hamilton’s pinpoint cross found Hynd free in the box, but his diving header was brilliantly palmed out by Langfield to deny the youngster a fie goal. 

There was a further blow for the home side in the closing stages as stalwart defender Jason Marr hobbled off injured. 

The Wasps had one final chance as Ferns got past two players to get to the byline to find Duffy with the cutback, but once again the youngster’s effort was blocked. 

The new boss will now look to regroup his side as they prepare for a festive trip to Raith Rovers on Boxing Day. 

 

Advertiser sport man of the match: Michael Duffy