GOAL hero Greig Spence dedicated last weekend’s emphatic 4-2 win over Bala Town to outgoing Alloa Athletic manager Jack Ross.

The Wasps hitman hit a double to help them on their way to a comfortable win against the Lakesiders as they advanced to the quarter-finals, and he admits all the motivation going into the game was about giving the gaffer the perfect send off as he departs to take over at St Mirren.

The former Celtic youngster now hopes the players can build on the performance and ultimately benefit from the whole experience of what was a unique cup tie on the road.

Spence told Advertiser Sport: “It was a good occasion with the trip away to Wales with all the boys together and it is has been a real bonding session for us, so hopefully that can benefit us in the long run.

"It was a good atmosphere, in front of a live TV audience and at a ground we hadn’t played at before so we can take a lot from the experience.

“The gaffer has done an amazing job here in turning things around after last season, so we are all gutted that he has gone. 

“We wanted to go out and get the win for him against Bala Town, so I am delighted we were able to do that.

“Personally, I am really gutted because I feel like I am just getting back to my very best form and that is down to him getting the very best out of me, but it was good to finish on a high for him and we showed some of our best form again.”

Spence was delighted the Wasps were able to come flying out the blocks to race into a 3-0 half-time lead down in Wales and the in-form striker reckons that was the key to their win.

He said: “It is amazing how you can sometimes change something about your appearance and it has the opposite effect that you want, but I seem to have had a lucky new haircut with getting the double so I will have to keep it the same way now to see if I can continue on my scoring run.

“We seem to always start well in games this season, so we tried to go out there and put the game to bed in the first half and the 3-0 half-time lead had us cruising, but we seemed to make things harder for ourselves in the second half and maybe took the foot off the gas a little, but credit to Bala Town for forcing their way back into.

“It doesn’t matter who we get in the next round. We are just pleased to be in another quarter-final and from this stage we don’t fear anyone. We have already beaten Scottish Premiership teams in the Betfred Cup, so we know exactly what we are capable of.”

The 23-year-old is keen to find out the identity of Jack Ross’ predecessor along with the rest of the squad with a huge top-of-the-table showdown with Brechin City coming up this weekend, but says it is more important that the club take their time to make sure they find the right candidate.

Spence added: “We have been excellent as a team so far this season and while we have had a few bad results, we will just keep plugging away and doing what we are doing. As players, you always want to know who the new gaffer is going to be as soon as possible.

“It is important, however, that the club don’t rush into it. We have Paddy Connolly and Lee Sharp here at the club still who will keep us ticking over in the meantime.”

“Brechin away is probably the toughest game we could get, so if we were to go there without a manager, it would make it all the more difficult, but that is when we have to stick together as a team to see it through and I am confident we can do that if needs be and go get a result.”