JIM GOODWIN was disappointed to see his side knocked out of the Irn Bru Cup on Saturday but is convinced that Alloa Athletic are moving in the right direction.

The player-manager was encouraged by the spirited nature of the display against the Doonhamers despite being undone by a Stephen Dobbie brace.

He told Advertiser Sport: "I'm really proud of the players. They gave a great account of themselves playing against Championship opposition. There wasn't an awful lot in the game apart from Stephen Dobbie.

"We had our opportunities as well. We hit the post and had a couple of one-on-ones where we would have liked to have done better.

"Dobbie's first goal was real quality, 20-yards out and in off the post.

"The second one is a bit disappointing from our point of view. We could have stopped the cross initially and he's obviously standing at the back post for a free header."

The former St Mirren man praised the work ethic and desire of his side to keep going until the final whistle.

He added: "As a manager I can never fault the boys' effort. They work as hard as they can, they give absolutely everything and I thought there were occasions where we passed the ball really well.

"It is what it is. We've just got to pick ourselves up and go again."

The Wasps showed real tempo throughout the 90 minutes and the manager confirmed that is a discipline being worked on in training.

However, Goodwin sent out a warning to his players that if they want to be first picks, they must keep putting the work in.

"That's modern day football," he said. "At the end of the day you've got to be fit. You've got to be able to play a high intensity game.

"It's just as hard when we have possession of the ball as when we don't because we need to be moving off it to make angles.

"At the same time, we don't want to give the opposition any time or space on the ball."

He added: "I want them to play a real high energy game. If they want to be in the starting eleven, they need to be fit and I thought my boys showed their fitness levels out there today."

Neil Parry turned in a stand out performance for Alloa on Saturday, with his manager admitting that he was baffled that his number one hadn't had a big move.

Goodwin said: "Neil makes his saves and he's kept us in numerous games. We always need to give him credit. We caused them problems at the other end but the big man's been different class.

"He should be playing at a higher level because he's a top keeper. He makes some brilliant saves.

"He's big and strong, he's brave and has some great distribution as well. We're lucky to have him."

Goodwin is settling into the hot seat and said he is satisfied with the transition the team have made since Jack Ross departed for St Mirren.

He added: "It's been great. The lads have been fantastic with me, buying into how I want to play with high pressing and everything that I want to encourage as a manager.

"I like to think I'm positive thinking. I want them to go and be as creative as they can in the final third and not worry about making mistakes.

"I'll not criticise any player for trying to be positive and trying to do something that will help us score a goal.

"The boys give their all in training two nights a week then they give their all on a Saturday so I'm very fortunate.

"I want them to be aggressive and I want them to play. I don't want to be known as an easy-on-the-eye team that plays nice football but when we don't have the ball we're weak.

"We can play football with the best of them but we're not afraid to roll up our sleeves and get tore in about it as well.

"That's what I want to see from my players and that's what I expect every week."