ALLOA assistant manager Paddy Connolly insists the team can't keep going down to 10 men and giving themselves "an uphill task".

For the second league match in a row Alloa had a man dismissed. This time goalkeeper David Hutton was sent off as Peterhead beat Alloa for the second time this season.

Connolly, who attended the post-match interview in the absence of manager Barry Ferguson, said: "Obviously disappointed with the result, we actually felt we started the game quite well [and] worked really hard to get our goals. That's the last two home games we've went down to 10 men.

"The game against Cove Rangers is really early and then today two bookings for Hutts [David Hutton] so we're making it difficult for ourselves and in this league there's not much between all the teams so it's really difficult.

"It's an uphill task and we're asking the guys to work really hard in terms of trying to get something from the game.

"We've spoken about the individual mistakes as well, the guys know decision making at vital parts in the game has to be better. As I say, overall we're disappointed but we'll go again next week."

Despite the 4-2 defeat, Connolly praised the players for their commitment.

He continued: "You can't fault the guys in terms of their effort, we got in at half-time and the gaffer spoke to them about being compact, going to 4-4-1 and just making sure we plug the gaps which I felt we did reasonably well. Obviously they bring on big Russell [McLean] who we know is going to be a threat from set-plays and that's one which undone is.

"Listen, we went down 3-2 and the manager's then changed the formation again to try and get us a wee bit more momentum up top. We changed the formation twice in terms of trying to get something from the game.

"Overall we can't be disappointed with the effort from the players but at the same time the guys know we can't keep going down to 10 men. As I say we know how difficult it is in this league to get points, we know that."

Reflecting on Hutton's red card, Connolly believes his first booking was harsh however it put him in danger for the rest of the game which ultimately seen him dismissed.

Furthermore, it leaves the club with only 17-year-old Keir Burt available for next week's trip to league leaders Queen's Park and Connolly admitted they may need to bring in another goalkeeper.

Connolly said: "There was nothing in it, there was no physical contact, I thought it was a harsh booking but in the end that's what's got him a red card because the second one is a booking, it's a penalty and that's what's caused the red card. It's a difficult one to take, I thought the referee was quite card happy, he was quick to get the cards out.

"We need to take it on the chin, the boys need to react in terms of learning from it.

"We've obviously got a wee goalkeeping situation where Hutts will be suspended so we'll need to see what the gaffer's plans are with that but we'll obviously need to bring a goalkeeper in in terms of either cover for young Keir but I'd imagine we'd be looking for an experienced keeper to come in because it's a tough ask for a young 17-year-old kid to come in."