Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 10:30am

Scott Walker Column

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LOSING Saturday's ALBA Challenge Cup game at Dundee when we were leading with just five minutes remaining was hard to take - but there were still plenty of positives for us.

The hosts were on top for the first 10 to 15 minutes, which you'd expect from a team of their quality, but after that our lads really grew in confidence, gave as good as we got and created a few opportunities.

We started the second 45 really brightly, put them onto the back foot and deserved to take the lead, and it was a great feeling for me to score it.

Andy Scott then came agonisingly close to clinching the tie for us with a curling shot that ricocheted off the cross bar, and it was just minutes later when Dundee grabbed two quick-fire goals to win it.

It was disappointing to lose so late on but once the dust had settled after the full-time whistle, the guys realised we'd played well and pushed a team, which came close to winning promotion to the SPL last season, all the way.

The quality in this Alloa side is better than last term. There is more balance throughout the team and the guys showed that on Saturday. Look at our left back situation for example. That has been a real problem area for us and we must have had four or five different players in that position last season - there was no continuity. And when you want to start building attacks from the back, it creates big problems.

The signing of Mick Dunlop from Dumbarton though, at the start of the summer, means we now have a naturally left-sided player, who also brings plenty of experience at this level.

On the right, new signing Billy Gibson adds real quality to the back line. Add myself, John Grant, and goalkeeper Stephen Robertson into the mix and you have an experienced defence.

I feel with the new signings, Alloa can win the league this time around. I'm not even thinking about the play-offs, my belief is we're good enough to go one step further than last season and win the title.

The squad is bonding well. We might have a good laugh in the dressing room before a game but once we cross that line there is a real hunger to succeed.

This Sunday it's more knock-out action, this time away to East Stirling in the League Cup. A win in that one could potentially set us up with a draw against an SPL side, and that's we want.

Jim McInally has done a great job at East Stirling and has got the club out of the mire over the past few seasons, so it won't be easy - but I'm confident we can progress.

Next week, I'll give you my reaction to Sunday's cup-tie and tell you how the squad's preparations are going ahead of our league opener away to Livingston.