ALLOA player-manager Jim Goodwin was thrilled after his side’s battling 2-1 victory over Stranraer last Saturday.

The Wasps have made a habit of coming from behind in recent weeks and did so again as they claimed three vital points to move up to second in the League One table.

The manager admitted that it hadn’t been his side’s finest performance, but he praised his players’ professionalism and says the victory is down to the character they showed.

Goodwin told Advertiser Sport: “We have played a lot better this season and lost games so I am not going to pretend we were fantastic. But I am so pleased for the boys because they just don’t know when they are beaten and they never give in. It would have been very easy for them to throw the towel in after the first half-hour but they didn’t. We kept ourselves in the game and managed to pick up a valuable three points.

“There is no doubt that Stranraer dominated possession, and we were camped in our own half for long spells, but I can’t remember Neil Parry having too many saves to make. The way we managed the game towards the end to make sure we held on for the three points was really pleasing.

“Although we were lucky to only be 1-0 down at half time, we knew that if we got the next goal we would go on to win the game. That is the kind of belief we have. Lately we have always had to come from behind, but I think that is testament to the boys’ character.”

Despite their rise to second in the table, Goodwin insisted all the pressure is on title rivals Livingston and Airdrie as the race for promotion heats up.

He said: “Back to back wins gives us a great start to the new year but we can only control what we do. We don’t concern ourselves too much with what the other teams are doing. We know the quality we have in our side and we know how tough every fixture is. Livi and Airdrie are two full time teams so the pressure is all on them. They have bigger budgets and see their players every day of the week. But there is still a lot of football to be played.”

Prior to the game at Stair Park, it was confirmed that striker Isaac Layne has departed the club, and the manager thanked the striker for his service during his time at the club, while adding that he hopes to bring in some new faces over the coming weeks.

Goodwin added: “Isaac wanted to go back home. He was a bit frustrated with the lack of football. He is a lovely boy and I have a lot of time for him but we are trying to take the club in a different direction. We wish him well and I hope that he settles in wherever he goes, because there is certainly a player there.

“We have been working really hard behind the scenes to see who is available but every club is doing the same. Whoever comes in has to be of the same mindset as the players we already have. I won’t be taking any gambles on bad eggs. We have got two or three players lined up, and hopefully we will be able to say more over the next week.”