FINE margins separated Hamilton and Alloa on Saturday, on a day which could have seen either team earn three points.

Joe McGlynn’s stoppage time goal meant the match ended 2-1 in favour of Accies, but it would be unfair to say Alloa didn’t fight back.

The Wasps lined up with PJ Morrison between the sticks, with a back three of Morgyn Neill, David Devine and Josh Debayo in front of him.

Cammy O’Donnell and Scott Taggart started as wing backs, with Kurtis Roberts and Steven Hetherington making up the double-pivot midfield.

Kevin Cawley was moved into the 10 position in the absence of the injured Stefan Scougall, whilst Conor Sammon and Taylor Steven started up front.

Hamilton had more of the chances through the first half, Alloa’s biggest chance of the first 45 coming after Roberts sent a superb delivery into the box.

It was controlled and kept down by O’Donnell into the path of Sammon, who skimmed it across the six-yard box.

Initially going a goal behind early into the second half, Alloa proved themselves very much the better team as the half progressed.

Cammy O’Donnell had a superb free kick rattle off the crossbar, it came off the head of David Devine and landed in front of Luke Donnelly, who flicked it past Ryan Fulton to level scoring for the Wasps.

Alloa had the chance to take the lead after another brilliant cross from O’Donnell was met by Scott Taggart, but his header hit off the crossbar to deny the Wasps again.

Taylor Steven forced a good saved from Fulton with a great left-foot effort in the closing minutes of the match.

Gaffer Brian Rice praised Alloa for their determination throughout the second half, rueing “fine margins” that cost Alloa.

He said: “In the second half, I thought there was only one team that, once we got the equaliser, was going to go on and win the game.

“But somebody switches off, the cross goes in – that’s football, it’s fine, fine margins. I don’t think we deserved to lose today.

“Hamilton were the better team first half, we were the better team second half. I asked them to give me everything again and they did.

“We’re running on empty again against a team that is going to be up there challenging for the league.

“It’s fine margins today. Taggs hits the bar and to lose it the way we did, I’m gutted for the boys because they’ve put so much into it.”

Hamilton have had a very strong start to their League One campaign following their relegation from the Championship.

Only Stirling Albion took points off Accies two weeks ago in a 2-2 draw at Forthbank.

An early concern for Alloa came when PJ Morrison went down after a collision with the Accies forward, replaced by Tochukwu Ogayi for the remainder of the match.

“I don’t know [how Morrison is] yet,” Rice added. “I think it was a stud caught his knee.

“It was an accident, these things happen, we’ll just need to see how he is.”

Alloa will be hoping PJ Morrison’s injury will not be a serious one, as a couple of prominent members missed out against Hamilton.

Stefan Scougall and Quinn Coulson were left out of the squad, with Scougall picking up a lingering knock in Alloa’s last match against Cove Rangers.

Rice added: “Scougall got injured in the last match against Cove, Coulson has been carrying an injury, so they weren’t involved today.

“They are two of our most creative players then you see when Donnelly comes on and what he brings to the team.

“He’s just come back and is trying to regain some fitness as well. The boys gave it everything, I can’t ask any more effort-wise from them.

“Effort-wise, it was outstanding to come here and run Hamilton so close. I’d be disappointed if we’d drawn the game so you can imagine how I’m feeling right now.”

Alloa next have a tough away day to Annan Athletic this Saturday. Annan were promoted from League Two and initially struggled but have been undefeated in their last three games.