ALLOA Athletic fought out a competitive 1-1 draw with Dunfermline on Wednesday evening as they continued their pre-season campaign.

Jamie Longworth's first Wasps goal gave the home side the lead on 37 minutes, but the lead only lasted six minutes as Dunfermline's trialist striker levelled the match.

Alloa started the brighter and almost scored on nine minutes when Andy Graham got on the end of Iain Flannigan's free kick to head goal ward, but Nat Wedderburn was there to head off the line to save the Pars.

The match was halted and the Wasps forced into an early change on 13 minutes when Steven Hetherington suffered a nasty looking cut to his head after a collision.

Youngster Ryan Hoggan replaced him and the interruption allowed the visitors to get a foothold in the game.

Joe Cardle's dangerous free kick whipped across the Alloa box on 15 minutes, but luckily there were no takers. Cardle then did well on the left to pick out the Pars trialist striker, but the big target man could only head wide from eight yards.

It was the home side's turn to threaten on 20 minutes when a terrific cross-field pass from Jim Goodwin found Flannigan on the right wing. He did well to beat his marker then cut the ball back across goal toward the poised Greig Spence at the back post, but Ben Richards-Everton was alert to the danger to intercept.

The hosts then passed up a glorious chance to take the league when a free-flowing passing move between Goodwin, Hoggan, Flannigan and Kirkpatrick saw the ball worked out to Scott Taggart on the right, his cross picked out Kevin Cawley free at the back post, but he could only guide his header wide of the mark.

It was all pressure from the home side at this point and it was almost a spectacular effort to break the deadlock on 35 minutes. Flannigan won a corner after seizing on an error in the Pars' defence to shoot and deflect the ball wide off Richards-Everton. From the set play, Flannigan's cross was deflected out as far as Hoggan 25 yards out who unleashed a ferocious left-footed effort on goal that whizzed just over the crossbar.

Alloa did get the breakthrough two minutes later, when a great move down the left saw Calum Waters dangerous cross punched clear by Sean Murdoch in the Dunfermline goal, but only as far as Scott Taggart and his shot-come-cross was turned into an empty net from close range by Jamie Longworth for his first goal for the club.

The Wasps' lead was only to last no more than six minutes when the visitors struck just before the interval. Great work from full back Ryan Williamson down the right saw him get to the byline and cross to pick out their on-trial hitman who simply guided the ball home beyond a helpless Craig McDowall to level.

Assistant manager Paddy Connolly was forced into a half time reshuffle at the back as Jim Goodwin came off with a slight knock so trialist Ross McKinnon got his chance to shine for the second half.

The visitors, however, seemed to seize on the upheaval in the Alloa side and started the half on the front foot. Andy Geggan did well to pick out the run of Michael Moffat to send him racing in on goal, but McDowall was alert to get out and foil the hitman at his feet.

The second Dunfermline trialist No.7 then had a golden opportunity to put his side in front when Nat Wedderburn sent him in on goal with a ball over the top, but once again it was McDowall to the rescue with a stunning point blank save.

Alloa began to find their feet again towards the hour mark with Kirkpatrick beginning to pull the strings in midfield, but when picked out the run of Taggart down the right, there were no takers in the box to meet his dangerous cross.

Allan Johnston's side then passed up another chance to forge ahead on 62 minutes. This time another well worked move saw Joe Cardle in on goal, but once again McDowall was there to save with his feet from the shot.

The introduction of Issac Layne soon after seemed to add to bit of steel up front for the home side and he immediately caused all sorts of problems for the Pars' backline with his strength and pace in behind. In fact, his sheer presence off a long ball forward saw the ball break kindly for Taggart on the edge of the box on 75 minutes, but the full back's attempted lob on the keeper went over the top. Dunfermline should've went ahead a minute later. Substitute Lewis Martin did well to get to the byline and cut back beyond substitute keeper Andrew Wilson, but somehow the incoming striker blazed the shot over the bar with the goal looming.

Layne then created a brilliant chance for himself at the other end as he held up the ball well, spun his marker and burst into the box, but a heavy final touch allowed the keeper to get out and smother the ball.

Alloa ended the game on the front foot when Longworth released substitute Lewis Wilson down the left, but when he found Layne on the edge of the area, the striker's turn and shot was just over the top. The game ended level which was probably a fair result on the balance of play and it was another eveing of positive signs for the Wasps as they continue preparations for their assault on League 1 this season.

Alloa Athletic: McDowall (A.Wilson 70), Taggart, Waters (L.Wilson 70), Graham, Goodwin (McKinnon 45), Kirkpatrick, Cawley, Hetherington (Hoggan 13), Spence (Layne 60), Longworth, Flannigan (Baker 66).

Advertiser sport man of the match: Craig McDowall