Wasps pick up morale-boosting point
Kevin McRoberts • Published 16 Feb 2011 09:30
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Jim Lister came off the bench to net Alloa's equaliser.
Forfar Athletic 1 Alloa Athletic 1
ALLOA ATHLETIC finally ended their dismal run of defeats as they picked up a confidence-boosting point at Station Park on Tuesday night.
Substitute Jim Lister came off the bench to fire home a late equaliser after the Wasps had gone behind to Ross Campbell's 69th minute penalty.
With a little bit more luck and composure in front of goal, Alloa could well have taken all three points from the match. They created numerous chances, particularly in the first half, and also looked much more secure at the back than they have done in recent matches.
Alloa boss Allan Maitland hopes this display could spark a revival in the team's fortunes, and heaped praise on goalscorer Lister, who had been disappointed not to be included in the starting line-up.
Maitland said, "I felt on Saturday when we played big Jim from the start it perhaps played into the hands of their defenders Michael Bolocheweckyj and James Bishop, so we decided to bring him on later in the game tonight when they were maybe a wee bit tired and he gave us a real spark.
"He scored a fantastic goal – it was a great finish – and it was also great composure from Kevin Motion when we needed it.
"At that stage in the game it was great to see our midfield pushing so far up the park.
"I was delighted not to lose the game tonight, which looked as though we might do after the penalty kick went in, but I think a point was the absolute very least we deserved.
"We are in a dreadful run of form but it is important for the players in these situations to show they've not chucked it, it is important for the supporters to see that we are still here, still fighting and still working really hard and I think we did that tonight."
Alloa threatened from the start with Motion forcing an early save from goalkeeper Scott Gallacher after just three minutes.
And midway through the first half, Kevin McDonald sent a volley just over the bar from inside the penalty area after clever play Michael McGowan created the opening.
Bryan Prunty was next to threaten as he broke through one-on-one with the goalkeeper who just managed to keep out the Alloa striker's effort with his feet.
Scott Walker headed just over from the corner and Stuart Noble also headed over the bar after McGowan's cross found him unmarked at the near post.
Noble had another great chance just after the half-hour mark when a mix-up in ther Forfar defence allowed him through on goal, but he shot just wide as the goalkeeper came out to close down the angle.
Forfar looked more of a threat in the second half and Wasps goalkeeper Jamie Ewings did extremely well to tip over a curling right-foot strike from Ross Campbell.
Ewings then dived to turn another shot round the post before enjoying a little bit of luck when a right foot strike by Greg Ross hit the post.
In 69 minutes, though, Ewings was beaten when Forfar took the lead from the penalty spot. A ball played into the box struck Walker on the arm and the referee had no hestitation in pointing to the spot. Ross Campbell stepped up to fire the spot kick high into the net.
On recent form, that would have been the signal for Alloa to collapse, but they rallied to the cause and grabbed a deserved equaliser with 10 minutes remaining.
An excellent pass by Motion opened up the Forfar defence and Lister made the most of the opportunity to send his right foot shot low past Gallacher into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Forfar Athletic: Gallacher, Ross, Bolocheweckyj, Bishop, I Campbell, McCulloch, Sellars, R Campbell, Deasley (Gibson 77), Hilson (Watson 90), Templeman (Smith 87). Subs not used – McLean, Brady.
Alloa Athletic: Ewings, Bloom, Dunlop, Walker, McGowan, Philp, McDonald, Gibson, Motion, Prunty (Lister 75), Noble (Thomson 89).
Subs not used – Robertson, Hay, Smith.
Referee: John Beaton.
Attendance: 390.
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