ALLOA Athletic crashed out of the League Cup after throwing away a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park.

Midfield maestro Iain Flannigan gave the Wasps the perfect start on six minutes when he latched onto a loose ball 25 yards from goal and smashed the ball home past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Berwick tried to respond and both Dwayne Coultress and Darren Lavery tested the concentration of Andy McNeil in the Alloa goal, but the keeper dealt with the danger well.

Flannigan then popped up again on 20 minutes to double his side's advantage when he gathered a lovely pass by Colin Hamilton, beat his marker well and slotted the ball back across the keeper into the far corner for 2-0.

The hosts again looked to respond quickly and Michael McKenna was almost immediately in on goal from a sliced Catalin Paun clearance, but Dougie Hill was there to make a superb last ditch tackle to concede the corner. From the flag kick, the ball fell to Johnny Fairbairn, but again McNeil was equal to the shot.

Alloa should have made it 3-0 a few minutes from the interval, when great play down the left by Hamilton created space for him to fizz the ball goal ward, but Geoff Mitchell could only direct the ball away from goal from a few yards out.

Berwick could have levelled right on the stroke of half time as a superb delivery by Ewan McNeil picked out the run of Lavery at the back post, but the Wasps number one was there again to make a brave point blank save at the feet of the striker.

Alloa started bright enough after the restart and actually had the first chance of the half when Michael Duffy's mazy run past two players got him to the byline, but his cutback towards Mitchell was cut out at the last minute by Finn Graham.

Colin Cameron's men fired themselves back into the match on 56 minutes as the Alloa defence caught out with a long ball over the top to put the dangerous Lavery racing in on goal. He made no mistake as he smashed the ball high into the net past a helpless McNeil.

Danny Lennon made a double change as the home side got a huge visible lift from their goal Mitchell and Ferns made way for Isaac Layne and Mark Williams.

The changes almost worked for Alloa when Williams did well down the right to force a corner. The cross by Flannigan was bulleted goal wards by Hill, but the keeper made a smart save to deny him.

Another corner moments later, and it was Hill again who had the chance as Flannigan's kick fell to him at the back post, but the Berwick defence did well to block his half volley.

The Wee Gers levelled the match with a deserved equaliser on 78 minutes after a concerted spell of pressure.

A super delivery by Ewan McNeil was met by substitute David Morris at the back post to slot past McNeil in the Alloa goal and make it 2-2.

Alloa tried to nick the game on the break in the closing stages of the ninety as the play swung from end to end.

Great play on the right by Flannigan some him feed the ball into Layne in the box, but his shot was high over the top after a neat turn.

Alloa should have stole the tie in the final minute of the 90 when Duffy got to the back post, chipped the ball to Hamilton at back post, but it was agony for Layne as he saw his header come back off the bar from Hamilton's cut back.

Into extra time and the home side always looked to be in the ascendancy.

Henderson fired the first warning shot when got on the end of a Beveridge cross, but McNeil made a smart save to deny him.

But it was only a momentary respite for the Wasps as the home side struck what proved to be the winner on 94 minutes.

A brilliant delivery by Ewan McNeil was met by David Banjo who guided the ball into the far corner to complete his side's remarkable come back.

Alloa looked a beaten side in the second half of extra time and if anything Berwick might have added to their lead.

Cameron's side caught Alloa on the break when Morris sent McKenna in on the keeper, but McNeil was there to save at his feet and keep his side alive. But it just wasn't enough and the referee's final whistle confirmed the end of a shocking afternoon for the SPFL Championship side as they exited the League Cup.

A very sobering defeat for Danny Lennon and his players who now have to lift themselves quickly ahead of their league campaign kicking off next weekend with another difficult trip to Dumfries to face their old foes Queen of the South.

Advertiser man of the match: Andy McNeil