FOR the first time under Barry Ferguson, Alloa made it two wins in a row on Saturday with an impressive performance against Falkirk.

Goals from debutant Euan Henderson and Conor Sammon ensured the Wasps picked up their second league win of the season and momentum certainly seems to be building following some impressive performances.

With their last league match against Aidrieonians postponed – and scheduled to be played last night after Advertiser Sport went to print – this was the first time Ferguson’s men had played league football since the draw with Queen’s Park last month. An impressive draw against one of the league’s favourites, they followed that up with a 2-0 victory over Cowdenbeath and looked to continue that form in the cinch League One.

Ferguson deployed Scott Taggart at right-back and Jon Robertson on the opposite side with Fernandy Mendy and Mark Durnan – sporting the captain’s armband – in the centre of defence. Adam King and Mouhamed Niang sat in front of the back line with Kevin Cawley, Alan Trouten and Steven Boyd behind Hearts loanee Henderson.

With Henderson as the lone striker, his style of play offered Alloa a new avenue to explore. With Sammon up top, the long balls look for him to control and hold up for the players around him. Thanks to Henderson’s pace and running, the long balls can go in behind.

The 21-year-old almost hit the back of the net within minutes of the first half. David Hutton blasted the ball forward for Henderson and Paul Dixon’s headed back-pass was far too soft. Henderson intercepted and unleashed a stinging volley that unfortunately went just wide of the post.

Despite being noted as title contenders, Falkirk hardly troubled the Alloa defence. As always, Aidan Nesbitt was busy with the ball and full of tricks without an end product to match.

The first real chance of the match fell to Trouten but he couldn’t convert. Boyd was able to fire a shot at goal after a good run and Robbie Mutch saved well. However, he could only knock it into the path of Trouten but his diving header went the wrong side of the post.

Thankfully the miss would not prove too costly as Henderson would find the net soon enough. A great counter-attacking move started from Hutton throwing to Cawley. With his back to goal, he controlled the ball and laid it off to Taggart. His first-time through ball looped over the Falkirk defence and, despite a hint of offside, Henderson was able to run through on goal and bundle it over the line.

Asked if he was impressed with Henderson’s performance, Ferguson said: “Yes, but he can get better. No doubt about it, that’s why I brought him to the club, I know he can make the difference but he’s still got a bit to go for me.

“He tired badly with 15 minutes to go but you can see the quality that he brings.

“He’s very good on the ball as well, he doesn’t just bring pace, he’s a very good footballer and I like options. If I’ve got everybody fit – which I did on Thursday night – then I’ve got real competition for places.

“They know now they need to fight to get into my team and I think that’s healthy.”

With the exception of a 25-yard effort from Seb Ross, Hutton didn’t have a real save to make and Alloa made it to the interval a goal to the good. Unfortunately, for the Wasps the first half also saw Trouten and Boyd replaced due to injuries.

The second half continued much like the first, with Falkirk enjoying spells of possession without ever looking menacing. Craig McGuffie saw a decent attempt go just past the post with Robertson doing extremely well to follow his run and put him off.

Alloa would double their lead in the 63rd minute with former Falkirk man Sammon heading in past a hopeless Mutch.

Taggart’s deep free kick was headed back across goal by Durnan and – with Mutch following the flight of the ball – Sammon only had to hit the target to see the ball across the line.

Hutton would be called into action again to deny substitute Samuel Ompron’s effort from distance and then King would show the importance of having a man on the post. With two minutes left, a bulleted header a Bairn looked to be heading for the back of the net before King stretched to block it off the line.

In the end the Wasps held on two make it two 2-0 victories in a row. One of their most impressive performances of the season so far, they limited Falkirk to very little and made the most of their chances. The signing of Henderson now offers Ferguson that selection headaches he so desires and the Hearts loanee certainly looks like he could bring a lot to the team.

ALLOA: Hutton, Taggart, Mendy, Durnan, Robertson, King, Niang, Trouten (O’Donnell), Cawley, Boyd (Sammon), Henderson (Church). UNUSED: Burt, Graham, Lamont