BRIAN RICE praised his team’s outstanding performance on Saturday as he wrapped up the season with a 4-1 victory over Montrose.

Alloa shot themselves in the foot once again when Andy Graham was sent off in the first half and the team went a goal behind.

However, they levelled the score before the interval through Euan Henderson before the Hearts loanee added another three in the second half.

“Outstanding, absolutely outstanding," the gaffer said. "To play 70 minutes with 10 men and to be 1-0 down, the character we showed, some of the goals were sensational.

“I’ve said to Euan since I’ve came in: ‘Keep doing the right things, keep working hard and the goals will come, don’t worry about it’.

“An outstanding performance from him but I thought the team performance for 70 minutes against a good team – I know they’ve changed their team about – but I can’t ask for any more than that.

“And to finish fifth, above Falkirk, that was our aim and we achieved that so all the credit to the players.”

Looking at the spirit, the bravery and the hunger of his team, Rice continued: “That’s what I try to instil: belief, a never say die attitude, work for each other, give it everything you’ve got and we done that.

“We gave it absolutely everything. They’re out on their feet down there and so they should be. I’m proud of every one of them.

“I enjoyed it, I really, really enjoyed it. I said to them I can go home every Saturday night good, bad or indifferent knowing they’ve gave me everything on the pitch, never left anything in the dressing room and it’s a great foundation.

“This week I really worked them. I think they were maybe expecting [with it being] last week of the season nice and easy. We really worked them hard and that’s why we have to work them hard: you never know what happens on a Saturday. Down to 10 men, the spirit was absolutely amazing.”

Rice’s stay was extended last week and the gaffer is looking forward to attempting to repay the good faith the club have shown him.

He said: “I’m here because I want to be here and the club want me here, first and foremost.

“I’ve got to have somebody who wants me and I feel wanted here by everybody and I’m just trying to repay that, that’s all I’m trying to do.”

Rice said he’s spoke to all the players and will speak with them in detail this week about their futures but his priority was the game on Saturday.

“I wanted to win, I wanted to try and finish as high up the league as possible,” he continued. “That’s done now; we’ve done what we set out to achieve since I came in, and now it’s a case of sitting down with the players and seeing what we can do.

“Too many times in football you don’t enjoy the good times because you’re too busy worrying about the next game. Well the next game isn’t until the beginning of July so I’m going to enjoy this.”