BRIAN RICE was disappointed with how his side started in Saturday's defeat to Airdrie but praised his players for their efforts.

Alloa were nowhere near as bright as they were in the previous week's draw with Cove Rangers and that allowed Airdrie to take the lead.

Rice said: "I was disappointed with the way we started the game. I want to start every game like a cup tie, get a good tempo to it, get on the front foot and we didn't do that.

"As the first half grew on – Airdrie started better, great credit to Airdrie, they started better and I'm honest enough to admit that – but as the first half grew on I think we got control of the game and from there on I don't think there was a great deal in the match.

"It's took a deflection for the game to get killed off but the commitment, the effort and the desire, it's all there.

"I keep saying ifs and buts don't matter, it's what actually happens. There's plenty there, there's plenty endeavour so it's a good starting point."

Rice continued: "Airdrie are a good team; Ian's got a good team out there. I think his better players performed well, our players that I expect a lot from probably didn't play to my expectation of them.

"I think that was the difference but, I keep saying it, we kept going right until the end.

"We're five minutes away, it's 1-0 and you get a bit of luck sometimes and Airdrie got a bit of luck with their second goal.

"But we just keep taking the positives. There was a lot of good play, we just need to recognise that when we change the strikers they need different service.

"The team we started with, they need the ball in [to their feet] and runners and when we changed the strikers we needed crosses."

He continued: "Their keeper had a fantastic save, I think it was a double save. There might have been a wee penalty in there with the handball but these things happen in football, sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't, there's no point in dwelling on it and worrying about it. Now we focus on training and getting the team ready for Saturday."

Rice's two recent signings, PJ Morrison and Ross MacIver, both featured and Rice was satisfied with their efforts.

He continued: "I thought the goalkeeper done well, he's made a couple of good saves. He had no chance with the deflection, I thought he done well.

"Ross coming on, he gets half an hour, that'll do him the world of good as well. They'll be good additions for us."

Up next is Queen's Park, who occupy that final promotion play-off spot that Alloa are hoping to reach, and Rice will be looking for a victory as always.

He said: "Go every week to try and get three points. The team's set up to get three points [with] two strikers every week.

"I keep saying it, the game's about scoring goals. It's my belief that you've got more chance of scoring goals with two strikers instead of one.

"That's my belief and that's how I set my team up so we'll come prepared to try and win the three points next Saturday."