WASPS manager Jack Ross believes his side are well on course to upset the odds in Betfred Cup Group D after their 2-0 win at Montrose put them right in the mix to progress. 

Alloa are now in second place in Group D heading into this week’s double header and the gaffer heaped praise on his players after their win at Links Park ensured they have a great chance of qualifying including in their final game against Raith Rovers on Saturday. 

Ross told Advertiser sport: ““We have our own targets and beliefs of what we can achieve in the group, and while that will stay within the dressing room, to achieve those goals we had to go and win the first two games. We have done that and it gives us a platform now. 

“The last two games of the group are brilliant games for us. The next one in particular will be a special night to host the current holders of the competition.

"I think Ross County now have to come to our place and win because of results, but it certainly won’t be an easy game for them. 

“It will be a very different test for us where we probably won’t have as much of the ball, but there is a group of players at our club who have a real belief about what they can go and achieve this season and hopefully that will be shown again this coming week. 

“Regardless of Tuesday night now, we go to Raith on Saturday with something at stake and that is something we hoped would happen for us in terms of the other results and that is exactly how it is panned out for us.

"We did well against Raith Rovers last season in my tenure, so it was a game we pinpointed as a chance to get a result. 

“We are expected to finish third in the group, but there was always a belief from within that we could upset that prediction and that is exactly what we aim to do.” 

Ross was delighted with the professional manner of his side’s victory at Links Park last weekend in what was their first competitive away fixture of the new season and he was quick to heap praise on both his defence and attackers. 

He said: “Things went as well as they could have after our first competitive home game and I think equally the same could be said of our first competitive away game. It was as good as we could have hoped for and it is ideal that we have defensively sound in both games.

"I was delighted for Neil Parry because he has had very little to do over the two games, but when he was called into action, he produces a terrific save and that is important for him. 

“The two strikers scoring again was ideal as well. Greig’s all round play has been terrific in both games and another pleasing thing was we were able to make the three changes again as well without weakening the team in anyway.

"We still looked a strong side after the changes and we are starting to build some momentum now so long may it continue.”

The former St Mirren defender had sympathy for Montrose last weekend after they finished the match with only nine men on the pitch due to two players getting injured after Paul Hegarty had made his three substitutions.

The Wasps boss reckons the referee made the right call in ending the game right on the 90 minute mark despite a number of stoppages in the game. 

Ross added: “The way Montrose game ended with the two players coming off injured after they made their three changes. It took a little bit of momentum out of the game after that, but I think the referee brought the game to premature end which was perhaps the right call.”