NOW THAT was more like it. After an unconvincing start to the season, Alloa brushed aside East Fife and put on a performance which will go a long way in silencing Barry Ferguson's doubters.

Up until Saturday, the club’s competitive record under Ferguson was hardly indicative of his comments at his unveiling when he claimed he wanted the club to win the title. Of course, the victory against Livingston and the draw with Raith Rovers in the Premier Sports Cup were impressive, but it was other results which had alarm bells ringing: the defeats to Cowdenbeath, Brechin City and Peterhead.

After that Peterhead defeat on the opening day of the cinch League One campaign, Ferguson promised ‘a major reaction’ from his players and on Saturday that’s exactly what they delivered.

Another interesting formation was utilised by Ferguson as he deployed Fernandy Mendy and Mark Durnan either side of Andy Graham in a back three. Behind them was David Hutton.

A midfield four saw Scott Taggart on the right, Craig Howie and Adam King in the middle and Daniel Church on the left.

Up front, Stefan Scougall and Steven Boyd were either side of Conor Sammon.

Since Ferguson’s arrival, players have spoken of his intense training sessions and his high demands. He’s constantly barking orders from the side of the pitch and clearly requires that intensity be carried over to a match day.

On Saturday that intensity came to fruition as Alloa transitioned quickly to break up the park and leave the visitors in their dust.

A right hand side of Taggart and Scougall will cause any team problems and on Saturday the two were absolutely exceptional. With Mendy on the right of a back three it allowed Taggart free reign to roam up and down the wing which gave Scougall license to cut inside.

It was that combination which would lead to Alloa’s opener. Taggart, facing his own corner flag, whipped the ball away from danger and if it was intended to be a pass to Scougall it was a great one. Collecting the ball on the half-way line, Scougall teased the defender into committing before simply hopping over him as if he was a training cone.

From that moment the outcome was inevitable. Scougall drifted into the box, waited, waited and then waited some more before finding Boyd with a delightful pass with the outside of his left boot. Boyd was practically on the line when the ball bounced off him and into the net.

After an impressive first half, the Wasps were sucker punched within minutes of the restart. After some nice passing, Boyd was crowded out and the visitors countered. A through ball to Jamie Semple appeared to have him heading away from goal before he unleashed a rocket to Hutton’s near post which gave him no chance.

For a brief period Alloa were on the ropes. Scougall was next to lose the ball and a lack of concentration saw the ball roll towards goal with Semple quickest to react. His first-time strike was saved by Hutton before Graham mopped up the danger.

Minutes later substitute Sean Brown really should have put the visitors in front. Liam Newton’s through ball was perfect and took Mendy out the game but Brown’s shot was weak and Hutton was down quickly to save.

The miss would be costly as Alloa soon regained the advantage. Durnan was given too much time to bring the ball forward and eventually found Church. His cross to the near post was met by Sammon who wanted it more than anyone else and he touched it past Scott Gallacher.

Not long after Sammon’s goal, Boyd got his second. A truly wonderful counter-attack, this move was surely a result of those intense training sessions. Hutton’s throw found Taggart’s run who drove into East Fife’s half before passing to Scougall who had drifted inside. Turning on the ball, he opened up and saw Boyd on his own. Scougall’s pass was inch perfect, just out of reach of the outstretched defender, and Boyd only needed two touches before finding the net.

“I thought we played well,” Boyd said after the match. “Created some good chances, defended well. We worked hard so it’s good but there’s still [room for] a lot of improvement.”

The league table now looks a lot more appealing to those of an Alloa persuasion. Next up for Ferguson’s men is a trip to Clyde who sit bottom of the table. The manager said post-match there were a couple of players in contention for a return however they may find it hard to steal a spot from Saturday’s team.

Ferguson has mentioned on more than one occasion he wants competition for every spot and he’ll certainly have it now. Saturday’s performance was impressive; it’s now time to replicate it.

ALLOA: Hutton, Mendy, Graham, Durnan, Taggart, King, Howie, Church, Scougall, Sammon, Boyd. Unused: McDowall, Webster, Lamont, O'Donnell, Armstrong, Taylor