ALLOA ATHLETIC defied the odds once again at Ibrox to earn a hard fought 1-1 draw with Champions Rangers. 

Scott Gallacher returned in goal for the visitors and it was a timely return as he produced a goalkeeping masterclass to deny the champions a title day victory. 

The Wasps took a stunning lead against the run of play on eight minutes when Michael Duffy seized on an error in the Rangers defence to get past Danny Wilson and fire the ball home beyond Wes Foderingham from 20 yards. 

Rangers responded well to going behind to produce wave after wave of attack on Scott Gallacher’s goal. 

Jason Holt and Lee Wallace combined well to create space for a shot for the latter, but Liam Caddis got across to make a vital block on the edge of the area. 

A short corner from the hosts then created space for Gedion Zelalem to shoot, but Gallacher was equal to the effort. 

Alloa were living dangerously now and only a super last ditch Jason Marr tackle prevented Holt getting a free shot on goal. 

Rangers then had the ball in the back of the Alloa net when Barrie McKay picked out Nicky Clark in space in the box, but his celebrations after a cool finish were cut short by the linesman’s flag for offside. 

The Light Blues cut the Alloa defence open with ease on 20 minutes when a quick passing move between Holt and King sent Tavernier through on goal, but he put his shot into Gallacher’s side netting when it looked easier to score. 

Alloa got a rare breakout on 33 minutes when Colin Hamilton robbed King of possession and picked out the forward run of Duffy, but this time Foderingham was equal to the effort. 

Mark Warburton’s men were given a golden opportunity to level on 41 minutes when Kyle McAusland brought Barrie McKay down inside the box for a clear penalty. 

Andy Halliday stepped up to take, but somehow managed to screw his kick wide of the post. 

The respite was only short for the visitors however, as great play on the left by Wallace saw James Tavernier get on the end of the cross to nod Rangers level right on the stroke of the interval. 

Rangers had Alloa pinned into their own half straight from the restart and the pressure almost told on 50 minutes. King wriggled his way into the box to shoot, but Gallacher was there to deny him from point blank range. 

King and Gallacher seemed to be having their own private dual and when Zelalem sent the Rangers winger back in on the keeper again, the Wasps keeper had again to produce a wonderful block to deny him. 

Alloa were defending bravely and got a rare breakout when Steven Hetherington made a brilliant last ditch tackle in his own box to deny Zelalem to send them out on the counter. 

Duffy raced away down the other end past two players and picked out substitute Isaac Layne, but the former Southend United trainee was dispossessed by Kiernan as he looked to shoot. 

Rangers best chance for a winner came on 81 minutes when a skilful run by McKay on the left saw him glide past McAusland to cross, but as the ball found Gers substitute Liam Burt unmarked six yards out, Gallacher produced a wonder save on the line to deny him. 

Rangers would have one more clear cut chance on goal, when Burt picked out Zelalem in space, but pressure from Hill saw him balloon his shot over the bar as the Wasps bravely held on for a hard earned draw. 

Gaffer Jack Ross has a number of positives now to build on as they look to close out the season with a victory at home to Dumbarton in the final game. 

Advertiser sport man of the match: Scott Gallacher 

Alloa Athletic: Gallacher, McAusland, Marr, Hill, Hamilton, Caddis (Layne 65), Holmes (McManus 60), Hetherington, Flannigan (Ferns 80), Duffy, Megginson. Subs not used: Finnie, Hynd, Wilson, Crawford (GK).