ALLOA registered their second consecutive away win in 13 months as they dispatched Peterhead 2-0, in what is a crucial win in their fight for playoffs.

A header from Luke Donnelly put the Wasps in front, before Scott Taggart doubled their lead from the spot.

Brian Rice praised his side for digging in and getting the three points, in what was always going to be a tricky match.

He said: “It was a really important match for us, we knew it was going to be a difficult match – it always is up in Peterhead, especially with the week they’ve had.

“They lost 7-0 the week before, changed their manager – there was always going to be a reaction from their team and we were ready for that.

“They were on top the first half, but we weathered the storm and dug in – second half, we were a lot more composed, had more possession and used the ball well and got the win we deserved in the end.”

This was Donnelly’s eighth goal this season, who has recently come back into the side following a spell out injured.

“The first goal was important,” Rice added. “He took it well and changed the game again.

“Luke is a very important player for us and to have him back on the pitch is really important. He’s still not at full fitness just yet but he is getting there.”

Alloa have been hindered by injuries all season but the match in Peterhead showed signs of more depth in squad. Daniel Church and Luke Strachan came off the bench to make their first appearances in several weeks, in what will be a boost for the Wasps going forward.

Rice added: “We have been hampered by a lot of injuries, so it’s been a great credit to everyone involved.

“We’ve got Donnelly back now, Church, Strachan, [Stefan] Scougall all came off the bench and it’s an important time of the season so to have bodies available is a really important.”

Victory in Peterhead meant that the Wasps stay in third place ahead of their clash with Airdrie, who currently sit in at fourth.

Rice insists the team will be taking each game as it comes, in an effort to secure a playoff space in the last run of games this season.

“There’s six games to go and we’re probably in the best position we can be in at the minute and we just need to maintain that.

“We need to stay ahead of the teams behind us, they’ll be looking to catch us. Airdrie are two points behind us so they’ll be looking to leap frog us but we’ll be playing to extend our lead over them.

“I’m looking forward to a really exciting match.”