Alloa 2-1 Ayr: Wasps down title-chasers with stout display

ALLOA threw a spanner in the works of the League One title race with a dramatic victory over Ayr United.

First-half strikes from Iain Flannigan and Callum Crane were enough for the Wasps, despite a revival from Ayr which saw Craig Moore get on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Ayr were understandably up for it from the start and the first half chance went their way, Neil Parry saving from Moore’s low shot across goal.

However, Alloa were intent on spoiling their opponents’ day and were unfortunate not to take the lead inside ten minutes. Ross Stewart had the ball in the net following a goalmouth scramble, but he was denied by the offside flag.

Stewart was then involved again as the Wasps had another good opportunity, this time laying the ball off to Kevin Cawley, who dragged his effort just wide of the target.

But they did make the breakthrough midway through the first half. Cawley burst down the left and had the awareness to cut the ball back to Flannigan, who lashed his shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors responded immediately and Jamie Adams was close to a leveller from distance with a shot which would surely have torn the net from the posts had it connected.

Kirkpatrick almost put the Wasps two in front with a terrific looping header which had Jordan Hart scrambling, before he dragged a shot wide on the half-volley.

The former Dumbarton man was determined to get himself on the scoresheet, and an audacious effort from the corner of the box was just a couple of inches from doubling Alloa’s advantage.

But they did have their second moments later. Andy Geggan attempted to head Garry Fleming’s long pass back to Hart but was woefully short, and Crane, who had gambled with a run in behind, pounced on the loose ball to slot home his second goal in as many games.

Remarkably, it was almost three before the break as Stewart laid the ball off to Steven Hetherington 25 yards from goal, but his powerful drive was well held by Hart.

Ayr came out for the second half all guns blazing, with manager Ian McCall throwing on Alan Forrest and Craig McGuffie, and the latter almost made an instant impact, testing Parry with a low drive before the keeper got to the rebound ahead of Moffat.

But they did pull one back within five minutes of the restart when Moore raced onto a through-ball, rounded Parry and slotted home confidently to halve the deficit.

Robbie Crawford then almost drew the visitors level with a tremendous curling effort which flashed just wide of the post.

Crawford was proving a real handful from midfield but found Parry in good form, the keeper getting down to his left to foil the Ayr man once more.

Mark Kerr was next to go close with a stinging drive which flew just wide.

The game’s key talking point arrived with 15 minutes left to play. David Ferguson attempted to meet Forrest’s cross and as he did so, flung himself dramatically to the ground with Callum Smith close at hand.

The referee pointed to the spot, booking the incredulous Alloa player as the Indodrill Stadium faithful looked on in disbelief.

Moore stepped up with the chance to give his side a huge helping hand towards the title, but the pressure got to him as he spooned the spot-kick high over the crossbar.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure and Parry had to make another tremendous save to deny Crawford at his near post, before doing the same to keep out Forrest.

Alloa thought they had clinched it in the dying seconds when Kris Renton slotted beyond Hart, but once again the home side were denied by the assistant’s flag.

But it didn’t matter as the Wasps held on for a fine victory over a side who have long been seen as the title favourites.

ALLOA: Parry, Robertson, Crane, Graham, Taggart, Fleming, Cawley (Smith), Hetherington, Stewart (Renton), Kirkpatrick, Flannigan (Crossan). UNUSED SUBS: Meggatt, Monaghan, Goodwin, Wilson.