Alloa Athletic’s Michael Doyle believes there was nothing to separate the sides in Saturday’s New Year derby day defeat to Falkirk.

The Wasps matched the promotion-chasing Bairns for long periods and despite the result, the full-back is convinced the performance shows how much they have improved over the course of the season.

Doyle told Advertiser Sport: “It was a sore one to take. When you look back at the game there was no real difference between the teams. We just switched off for one minute at the goal. I thought they just reacted quicker than we did. It was an even game and neither keeper has had many saves to make. They just seem to be able to grind out results just now.

“We are definitely getting closer. When you look at our last game against them we were miles off the pace so we have made improvements. It is a step closer to where we want to be. The boys are all gutted to have lost but we still feel as if we can get there. We were playing against a team who are second in the league yet we are not a million miles behind them.”

Doyle has been impressed with new manager Jack Ross, and is backing the new boss to turn things around at the Indodrill Stadium.

He said: “The gaffer has come in and made a few changes, and I definitely believe we will start grinding out results. We just need that little bit of luck in front of goal and in the final third. I think we will start picking up points, especially at home. We need to make it a fortress and the manager is making us difficult to beat here.

“There have definitely been improvements. I really liked working under Danny Lennon but it was a change we needed. We have started improving as a team. Most of us have only been together for six months so that was going to happen. Now we are into the last few months of the season things are getting better.”

The 24-year-old’s short-term contract is due to expire this week but Doyle remains keen to stay at Alloa and hopes he can extend his time with the club.

He added: “I will have a sit-down with the manager this week. Everybody knows I love Alloa and I have been here over four years now. I would like to push for full-time football eventually, but I would always tell the club before anything happened. I love working under him and I will always give my all right up until the last minute for the club.”