KEVIN CAWLEY admitted that Alloa's first-half performance was not good enough during last Saturday's League One clash with Forfar Athletic.

But having gone a goal behind, a late fightback saw the Wasps claim a valuable victory as they look to climb the table.

The midfielder told Advertiser Sport: "In the first half we weren't good enough and I think everyone could see that. It took us a long time to get going.

"We didn't start playing until we were a goal down. But after that we were a lot better. The boys all dug in and we are just delighted with the three points.

"We do need to put in better performances and start enjoying our football a bit more but the result is the main thing and we really did need that one. We can't have other teams getting too far away from us so it's a massive three points."

The midfielder went on to praise the squad's character, and singled out teenager Adam Martin, who once again changed the course of the game when he was introduced in the second half.

He said: "We have a good group of boys here. Last season we saw how many times we came back and fought right to the very end and it's happening again this season.

"But we can't rely on that all the time. We need to start getting goals earlier in games.

"There is a lot of character in the team and we have showed that again. Adam came on and changed the game, just like he did against Queen's Park. His enthusiasm and drive went a long way to helping us get the three points."

Cawley and his team-mates will look to build on their valuable victory when they travel to pre-season title favourites Ayr on Saturday, and the winger warned that the Wasps will be in for a tough test at Somerset Park.

He added: "Ayr will be a very tough game. They have had back-to-back defeats so they will be looking for a reaction which will make it very hard for us. But if we play as well as we can then we can beat anyone on our day."