ALLOA Athletic’s unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt with a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of title rivals Livingston at the Indodrill Stadium. 

Goals from Scott Pittman, former Wasps hero Liam Buchanan and a wonder strike from Michael Miller gave the visitors a shock 3-0 half time lead and despite a second half penalty from Greig Spence, Jack Ross’ side could not salvage anything from the game. 

The confidence of the hosts was clear for all to see right from the first whistle as skipper Graeme Holmes, making his 200th appearance for the club, sent Greig Spence through on the goalkeeper, but the shot was tame and straight at Liam Kelly. 

Livingston responded well and were almost gifted an opener on three minutes when Jason Marr was caught in possession in his own box by Scott Pittman, who then picked out former hero Liam Buchanan for the shot, but Andy Graham got across to make a saving tackle. 

Alloa were handed a golden opportunity to go in front themselves on six minutes when Kevin Cawley mazy run was brought to a screeching halt by Alan Lithgow’s foul. Calum Waters stepped up to take the 25 yard free kick, but his ferocious goal-bound effort was tipped over the top by Kelly. 

Waters then turned provider on 13 minutes as he whipped in a delicious cross to pick out the run of Jon Robertson, but the midfielder’s header was wide of the target. 

It was the visitors turn to attack on 16 minutes when Josh Mullin got in down the right on the counter attack, but his stinging drive was tipped over brilliantly by Parry. 

Jack Ross’ side should have gone in front on 18 minutes when Spence raced past his marker down the left to cross for Cawley, but he could only head past with the goal gaping. 

A three minutes spell of madness in the Alloa defence saw them concede the opening goal of the afternoon. 

A mix up in the Wasps’ defence minutes later then presented Buchanan with a clear run in on the keeper. He got round Parry, but the shot was only into the side netting. 

Buchanan then robbed Holmes of possession to tee up Danny Mullins for the shot, but the effort came crashing back off the crossbar. 

But the visitors were not to be denied and the opener arrived on 23 minutes. Great play by Chris Cadden on the wide left to cross, Mullin headed it back across goal and Pittman was there to tap home to give his side the lead. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Wasps on 33 minutes when Livingston doubled their advantage in controversial fashion. 

Scott Taggart appeared to be wrestled off the ball by Cadden, the home players seemed to stop to protest, but Cadden ran on to pick out Buchanan in the box and he clinically smashed the ball home for 2-0. 

Alloa tried to respond immediately and should have reduced the deficit on 35 minutes. A terrific 1-2 between Holmes and Taggart saw the skipper cut the ball back to Kirkpatrick on the penalty spot, but the effort is agonisingly wide of the target. 

The game was all but put the game beyond the home side in spectacular fashion. Livingston full back Michael Miller ran onto the ball and smashed an unstoppable effort beyond Parry to make it 3-0. 

The Wasps looked shell-shocked as the half time whistle went as their unbeaten run looked in serious jeopardy. 

David Hopkin’s visiting team started the second half as they ended the first and had the first look at goal. Nicky Cadden’s corner was met by the head of Lithgow, but despite having a free header, he could only put it wide. 

The home fans were soon roaring for a penalty as Kirkpatrick’s cross look to strike the hand of Jordan Sinclair, but the referee waved play on. 

There was more bad news to follow for Alloa as vice captain Marr hobbled off injured and had to be replaced by Jamie Longworth on 50 minutes. 

Alloa continued to press forward looking for a way back into the match, but the visitors stood firm and looked increasingly dangerous on the break. 

Danny Mullen soon found himself racing in on goal when Jim Goodwin stumbled in possession, but the shot was straight at Parry. 

The Wasps, to their credit, continued to push forward and soon forced a corner on the hour mark. Waters delivery was flicked on by Goodwin, but neither Longworth nor Graham could force the ball goal ward. 

The pressure paid off for the hosts when they were awarded a penalty kick. Taggart’s cross was hooked back across goal by Longworth into the path of Cawley, who flicked the ball over one defender then fired a goal bound volley toward goal, but the strike was stopped by the arm Lithgow, giving referee Craig Charleston no choice, but to point to the spot. 

Spence stepped up to convert the spot kick sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give his side hope with his 8th goal of the season. 

The home side were throwing caution to the wind as they tried to force their way back into the match. Longworth and Kirkpatrick combined brilliantly to work their way into the box, but the move broke down as they over played it in trying to setup Cawley and the chance was gone. 

Longworth and Kirkpatrick soon combined again with ten minutes remaining as they worked the ball out to Waters on the left, but Lithgow did well to intercept the cross as Spence waited to pounce. 

Livingston were resolute in their defending late on. Taggart’s late free kick was flicked on by Goodwin into the path of Longworth, but Craig Halkett was there to make a crucial block. 

Alloa were in the last chance saloon when Cawley and Kirkpatrick worked the ball out to Taggart down the right, Longworth did well to get his head on the cross, but again the effort was blocked. 

A sobering result for the high-flying Wasps was confirmed shortly after, but they remain well in contention still at the top of League 1 and now must pick themselves up quickly for a visit to the national stadium to face Queen’s Park.

Alloa Athletic: Parry, Taggart, Waters, Graham, Marr (Longworth 52), Goodwin, Robertson, Holmes (Donnelly 62), Spence, Cawley, Kirkpatrick. Subs not used: McDowall, Wilson, Hoggan, Scullion, Martin. 

Advertiser sport man of the match: Calum Waters