ALLOA skipper Andy Graham has been hailed as an "absolute warrior" as he helped secure a vital three points, despite suffering a broken and bloodied nose.

The veteran took an elbow to the face as the Wasps defeated Queen of the South on Saturday, with the home side calling on all their defensive capabilities to deny the Dumfries side.

With four wins on the spin, Alloa have now clawed their way out of the relegation zone, with three games left to play.

Manager Jim Goodwin feels the courageous Graham as the backbone of their resurgence, as his side battles to secure their place in the Scottish Championship for next season.

The gaffer said: "He's an absolute warrior. He's playing through so many knocks that people wouldn't even believe me if I told them.

"He's got a broken nose and all kinds of problems, but he is just never willing to throw the towel in.

"He typifies us as a club and us as a group in terms of our character. Just desperate to do anything to ensure we stay in the league."

Graham's teammates were also full of praise for the captain.

Wasps keeper Neil Parry added: "What a warrior Andy is to play behind. I've said it before, he is just easily the best centre half I have ever played with.

"It's just everything, especially his leadership.

“He’s got a cut on his leg at the moment and I’m not squeamish, but it nearly made me sick.

“He’s the first one to training to start and the last to leave. He’s just the perfect teammate."