RETURNING Alloa Athletic keeper Craig McDowall insists he had no hesitation re-signing despite his controversial exit from the club he loves 12 months ago.

The 25-year-old was in fine form for the Wasps under Barry Smith in season 2014/15 as the club fought bravely for survival in an SPFL Championship containing Hearts, Hibs and Rangers for the first time ever, in a spell that saw him produce consecutive man-of-the-match performances at Ibrox to help the club earn a draw on both visits against the Glasgow giants.

But the arrival of Danny Lennon to the Indodrill Stadium hotseat saw him unceremoniously dropped from the side in favour of John Gibson in a decision that left him questioning his love for the game.

McDowall told Advertiser sport: “The way I left the club was very disappointing because I felt like I had actually had one of my best seasons, but I guess different managers have their own opinions on things. We were struggling a little when Danny came in and it was me who got it in the neck, which I felt was harsh. We were in a really tough league and were holding our own at times against the likes of Hibs and Rangers. My last game was a 3-0 defeat away to a rampant Hearts and I have since watched the game back a number of times and I still can't see his reasons for dropping me out of the team. It worked out in the long run with the team staying up which was the main thing, but on a personal note it really left me disillusioned about the game.

“Work commitments really meant that I had to miss out last season, but there was no convincing needed from the manager. As soon as he told me there was a chance to come back, I knew I had to take it. The first session back of training felt like I was coming home, back to where I belong. To be back amongst the boys again is great and we have a brilliant bunch here this season. There is some major changes since I was here last, but the usual suspects are still here like Jason and Homer as well as Greig and Kevin coming back so it looks like it will be a good year ahead for us.

“I have had a year out of the game now and I think I got to about two weeks into last season before I was missing it again. I went and did the London Marathon last year to give myself and my mind ticking over with a sporting challenge. Doing the training and then the race itself really helped to keep my competitive spirit going, but there is no substitute for being in the dressing room among the boys on a Saturday and I really missed it.”

McDowall knows it will be a tough task to dislodge first choice keeper Neil Parry, but is determined to push his new team mate all the way and hopes they can push each other all the way to aid Jack Ross in his promotion bid this season.

He said: “I just got in touch with the manager here because I was keen to try and get myself back playing after a year out of the game. To be fair the gaffer has been brilliant with me to give me this opportunity to come back, but I am under no illusions that I will likely start the season on the bench, but I won't be satisfied with that and I am confident I can push Neil all the way. I will just work hard and see where it takes me, but I am confident in my own ability enough to believe that I will be ready to take my chance when it comes along.

“It is obviously going to be a tough task to dislodge Neil from the no.1 berth because he is a top keeper, but no matter who is front of me, I would still have the belief that I could challenge so that is exactly what I aim to do. We can push each other on as well and so at the very worst I will work hard and make Neil perform better to keep me out the team and so that can only be a good thing for the club. It was just good to get back to doing what I love and I have really missed it. ”

The former Livingston keeper was relieved to get back playing in the 1-1 draw with Dunfermline last week and admits it has left him excited for the season ahead with the squad that the manager has assembled at the club.

McDowall added: “This is a really good club to play for and everyone knows that. If you are going to be playing part time football then there isn't many places you'd rather be than here. In the past, the one thing that put players off from coming here was always the pitch, but this new surface is now top class so it is no surprise to me that the manager has been able to attract so many decent players. It felt great to get back playing against Dunfermline and any doubts I had about whether I still had it or not were quickly put to bed that night so hopefully I can play my part this season."