Prunty key in title challenge

Iain Robertson • Published 10 Feb 2010 10:36 0 Comments

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Bryan Prunty can fire Alloa to the title

ALLOA Athletic manager Allan Maitland insists hit-man Bryan Prunty can bag the goals needed to challenge for the title.

The Wasps gaffer believes the next two months of fixtures will go a long way to deciding the destiny of the championship and knows striker Prunty could be a key player.

He told the Advertiser Sport, "February will be a big month, and March presumably even bigger.

"Having a number of home games, as we do over this period, is crucial, but you have to win them."

And Alloa need to improve on their goal scoring record if they are to pick up maximum points against teams visiting Recreation Park. Maitland continued, "We've only scored nine goals at home this season but hopefully it will help having Bryan Prunty at the club."

In such a tight league, scoring first is vital, and with recent signings Prunty and David Gormley joining Stuart Noble in Alloa's front line the Wasps must be confident of finding the back of the net.

Saturday's draw at Brechin extended the club's unbeaten run to six games - they haven't lost in the league since 14 November - and put them level on points with Cowdenbeath, who they were due to play on Tuesday night.

The games will keep coming thick and fast for all the sides after so many fixtures had to be postponed during the recent cold snap and if Alloa can get points on the board it will put pressure on the teams around them.

Alloa welcome Stevie Crawford's East Fife side to Recreation Park at the weekend when they will hope to capitalise on home advantage.

"East Fife have shown some good form recently as have a few others."

Maitland added. "There are a lot of teams in the mix at the moment and it isn't even clear who will finish in the top four."

The Methil side lost by the odd goal in five at home on Saturday to an in form Dumbarton side chasing a promotion play-off place.

But recent draws against Stirling and Cowdenbeath show they will be no push-over.

The last time the sides met back in December Alloa won 2-0, while the game ended goal-less at Recreation Park in October.

Chris Townsley and Scott Buist are out, while Mark Gilhaney should be back and Kevin Welsh is nearing a return.

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