ALLOA boss Peter Grant says he was delighted with both the individual and team performances that got him his first league win of the season on Saturday.

Grant’s side travelled to Arbroath in a bottom-of-the-table clash and made some changes to his usual line-up and it paid off, with the three points Alloa picked up taking them to eighth in the table, two points above Arbroath at the bottom.

He told Advertiser Sport: “I’m delighted with the boys, their effort and commitment to everything we’ve tried to do, even in the training ground, has been excellent.

“We’ve changed the team, even if we win because I think it’s important because, tactically, we have to be right to get the results we’re looking for so people may be surprised and ask why he’s left out, and it’s not down to his performance, it’s just that I feel that for that particular game that player’s going to be more of an advantage for us.”

One player who finally got his chance in the league was Stefan Scougall, and he certainly took the opportunity, scoring the game’s only goal to seal the points.

Grant said of Scougall’s inclusion: “I just thought there’s a space we could utilise, Stefan can take the ball in tight areas. What I don’t want, I don’t want Stefan to play left-back and right-back if he’s playing wide. He’s an attacking player, sometimes you put these guys in and they spend half their time defending for you.

“I think it’s important that people understand his role within the team, [if] you’ve got these mavericks to take people on, you’ve got to be willing to let them lose the ball but that means the diligence in other boys. He’s been excellent in training; his attitude has been magnificent. I’ve been delighted with him.”

Ray Grant missed the match through a hamstring injury, which meant Jon Robertson was deployed to the middle of the park and Grant says he’s delighted he’s got a group who can be so versatile.

He continued: “Jon Robertson goes into the middle of the pitch, does exceptionally well, but then he’s got to go to right-back because Scott [Taggart]’s got to go off and these boys are willing to do that to help each other out so I’m delighted with the group, as I have been. Queen of the South I was disappointed, I must admit, but apart from that I’ve been disappointed with the results, yes, but not the performances.”

Saturday’s result saw Nicky Jamieson return to the team after an ankle injury and Grant was more than satisfied with his performance.

“Today, I thought he was excellent,” Grant said. “He’s been struggling with his ankle from last week, and even in the first minutes [against Arbroath] he was down again and I was wondering if he would need to go off because he only trained on Thursday so great credit to him and I’m delighted for him.

“He’s got a great partner to learn off in Andy [Graham] next to him and I think he’ll just grow and grow and as I say I’m chuffed with him. He’s exactly what I thought he was bringing in and more.”