JIM Goodwin urged his side not to panic despite being dragged back into the relegation dogfight by Partick Thistle.

The Wasps dropped to just outside the relegation play-off zone after losing 2-1 in Maryhill as the survival scrap took its latest twist.

Jack Aitchison’s first goal for the Wee County side had threatened to upset Gary Caldwell’s men and all but secure Alloa’s survival.

But, a Joe Cardle strike moments into the start of the second half and Scott McDonald’s free kick completed the comeback and hauled the Jags off the bottom of the table.

And speaking after the game, Goodwin lamented his side’s poor start to the second half as Thistle wasted no time in getting back into the game.

Goodwin told Advertiser Sport: “We are disappointed to start the second half the way we did but I thought we played perfectly in the first half.

“It was everything we had spoken about; to allow Thistle’s three defenders to have the ball and then try and beat them on the break.

“Jack Aitchison obviously does brilliantly for the goal and we were delighted at half time.

“But we knew and spoke about the threat that Partick have and are capable of bringing off the bench. So credit to Gary Caldwell for making the changes and Joe (Cardle) and Gary (Harkins) both made a difference.

“We are disappointed because we had spoken about the importance of the ten minutes after half time and keeping it 1-0. Unfortunately we didn’t do that and let Cardle drift into the middle of the pitch and it’s 1-1.

“The goals are disappointing for me because we had been blocking shots and I don’t think Neil has too many saves to make.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up when a player of Scott McDonald’s quality does something like that.”

Alloa host Inverness Caley Thistle in their final home game of the season this weekend before ending the season with a trip to take on Ayr United.

Both sides have already secured a play-off spot and Goodwin insisted they were winnable games in the hunt to seal their place in next season’s second tier.

The Irishman added: “We are disappointed to lose any game of football and that’s just only natural. But, I have been saying to the players to be proud of the run they’ve been on.

“Yes, when you are winning 1-0 at half time, you should take something from the game. But, I’ve been there too many times as a player to know 1-0 is not a comfortable lead.

“We just go again and if you had offered this to me at the start of the season, I’d have snapped your hand off.

“We have two games against Inverness and Ayr which we know we are capable of winning. So we will dust ourselves down and go again.

“I can’t argue too much with the final result. Partick were the better team on the day. We forced them out wide and stopped crosses and defended brilliantly.

“It’s a fantastic league and really entertaining. There isn’t a better league in Europe and there’s still all to play for.”

Meanwhile, Sam Roscoe made his long awaited return to the squad after missing the last six matches through injury.

The Aberdeen loanee was on the bench and Goodwin was delighted to be able to welcome him back for the crucial run-in.

He said: “I was never going to change things after winning four-in-a-row but it is great to have the big man back and the more options the merrier.”