The home side went into the game as rank outsiders, but Michael Duffy’s controversially-awarded strike seconds before half time made all the difference and proved enough for the Wasps to claim all three points.

Jack Ross made one change to the side which drew at Livingston, with Liam Caddis replacing the suspended Steven Hetherington.

Inside the opening minutes, James Keatings forced Scott Gallacher into a smart stop with a powerful drive which was dipping towards the bottom corner.

Great work from Iain Flannigan down the left saw him create Alloa’s first chance, but Michael Duffy couldn’t get a clean shot away under pressure.

The Wasps were showing some threatening signs and Robbie Crawford flashed a great ball across the face of goal, but nobody gambled when a touch would have put the hosts 1-0 up.

The home side were dealt a blow shortly afterwards when Gallacher was forced off through injury, with David Crawford coming on in his place.

Anthony Stokes had a great chance to give Hibs the lead with a free kick on the edge of the box, but he blazed his effort high and wide.

The visitors were claiming for a penalty shortly afterwards when Liam Henderson went down under Dougie Hill’s challenge, but the Wasps skipper had won the ball with a terrific tackle and the appeals were more in hope than expectation.

And just before the interval the game’s key moment arrived. Flannigan sent a terrific corner into the Hibs box, and it fell kindly for Duffy whose shot smashed off the underside of the crossbar and down. It looked impossible to tell whether the ball had crossed the line but, after a moment of consideration, the officials awarded the goal, giving the home side a crucial lead.

The second half was one of few chances, and most of the opportunities which did come went the way of the visitors as they searched for a way back. Paul Hanlon headed wide from a Fraser Fyvie free kick, before the former Aberdeen man had a go himself with an effort which was deflected behind for a corner.

Stokes forced Crawford into a decent save with a powerful drive which stung the keeper’s palms, and Jason Cummings sliced an effort horribly wide as the Hibees grew more and more desperate.

Duffy could have doubled his and Alloa’s tally when he broke clear inside the final 10 minutes. With no support he drove at the Hibs goal before firing a shot towards the bottom corner which Oxley did well to parry away from danger.

Mitch Megginson was next to go close for the home side. After some magnificent work down the left, he created space for a shot on his right foot but he dragged the effort just an inch or two wide of the mark.

There were more claims for a penalty from the visitors when they felt the ball had struck an Alloa arm in the box but the decision would have been harsh in the extreme and the referee Bobby Madden again waved play on.

Hibs continued to pile pressure on the Alloa goal, but some heroic defending kept the Edinburgh side at bay and the Wasps held out to record a famous victory.

Alloa Athletic: Gallacher (D. Crawford), McAusland, Hill, Marr, Hamilton, Holmes, Caddis, Flannigan, R. Crawford (McManus), Duffy, Megginson.