LIAM BUCHANAN'S hat-trick helped Alloa overcome a two-goal deficit and the striker hopes the team can now build some momentum.

A poor first half saw Alloa two goals down and their hopes of progress in the Betfred Cup increasingly unlikely.

Peter Grant made a number of changes to the side, including debuts and first starts for the younger players of the squad.

However, Buchanan's three goals – and Stevie Hetherington's strike – meant three points and a last 16 tie with Hearts.

Buchanan told Advertiser Sport: "Obviously, we know in the first half it wasn't good enough, but credit to Stenhousemuir, I thought they were excellent in that half. We showed great character in the second half to go on and win the game.

"I don't think it was anything to do with the younger boys playing," the striker added. "It wasn't the young boys that were poor, I think all of us, to a man, were [poor].

"We just weren't working hard enough, and credit to the young boys who still came out in the second half, still wanted the ball and still got on with the game. I'd say it was everybody, no matter their age, it wasn't a young boy problem."

Grant said he had a few choice words at the interval; however, Buchanan feels it wasn't necessary.

He continued: "We knew it wasn't good enough, I think it [the manager's words] was mellow to what we deserved to be honest with you because we were very, very poor, as poor as I've seen us. We got a reaction, which was the main thing.

"Hopefully, we can build a bit of momentum, season got off with a couple of defeats to start with and we knew that wasn't good enough.

"We have to take confidence from the performance against Dundee and then the second-half [on Saturday]."