ALLOA manager Jim Goodwin was pleased with his side’s first half performance as they held league leaders Livingston to a draw at the Indodrill Stadium.

But Goodwin admitted the Wasps’ start to the second half gives them plenty to work on.

Despite that, the Alloa boss declared himself proud of his players’ performance, and reckons there was nothing between the two sides.

Goodwin told Advertiser Sport: “In the first half we played well. We went in front but Livingston scored a decent goal. We should have stopped the cross but it is a great header from Mullen so we can’t really take anything away from that. We just didn’t get going at the start of the second half, like last week at Albion Rovers and against Peterhead, and that is really disappointing. That is something we need to address and get sorted.

“We had a lot of joy in the wide areas in the first half, but in the second we didn’t have the same threat and credit must go to Livingston for that. They work very hard and are a very fit bunch, but my team went toe-to-toe with them. There was not a lot between the teams. I am really proud of the lads and the effort they put in.”

Goodwin was delighted with his players’ character, and praised their never-say-die attitude as they yet again came from behind to claim what could prove to be an important point.

He said: “The lads showed fantastic character and they never, ever gave in. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this season that they keep going right up to the last minute. In the end we were worthy of our equaliser. We gambled a bit and it paid off, and even when we got it back to 2-2, we were determined to go and try and get the winner. That left us a bit open and Calum Waters did great to recover and clear one off the line to stop them stealing it. Overall I am relatively pleased.”

The Wasps boss handed young striker Dylan Mackin his first start since joining on loan from Motherwell, and the 20-year-old scored Alloa’s late equaliser to repay his manager’s faith in him.

Goodwin added: “I was really happy with how Dylan did, considering he was up against two big, really physical centre-backs. He led the line really well and he deserved his goal. I thought he was excellent, particularly in the first half.”