ALLOA produced their strongest performance of the season as they ran out rivals Stirling Albion in their own backyard.

Goals from Steven Buchanan and Ally Roy guaranteed a huge three points for the Wasps at Forthbank, who stayed on top from minute one.

PJ Morrison came back into the starting eleven for the first time since the visit to Hamilton in September, with an unchanged back three of David Devine, Scott Taggart and Morgyn Neill.

Buchanan and Deveney started on the wings with Kurtis Roberts and Steven Hetherington between them.

Quinn Coulson also made his first appearance since the cup game against Rangers B, stepping into the attacking midfielder role in place of Taylor Steven.

Alloa’s talisman Ally Roy came back from injury to line up alongside Bobby Wales up front.

From the first whistle, Alloa showed dominance against their rivals, with Roy coming close in the opening minutes.

Alloa took the lead after some clever footwork from Quinn Coulson allowed him to play the ball through to Buchanan, his first effort blocked but he made no mistake on second time of asking.

The Binos remained under constant threat from Alloa, who had chances to go two or three up before half time.

Roy almost scored an absolute wonder goal, hungry for his third goal in three appearances from the club, after his effort floated high above Stirling’s defence and forced a good save from Blair Currie.

Currie then produced another great save to deny Morgyn Neill, who hit a strong header toward goal from the back post. David Devine then hit the bar from the resulting corner.

Gaffer Brian Rice was delighted with the team performance, with every man on top of their game on Saturday.

“We deserved to win the game,” Rice told Advertiser Sport. “First half we played really well, scored the goal, had a few more chances, hit the bar, we limited them during the first half.

“As expected, Stirling came out the second half and had a right go at us, but we stood up to it and scored another goal but missed a couple good chances.

“To come here and win and get a clean sheet, I’m delighted.”

Stirling came out from the break stronger, but Alloa did well to keep them contained, with Morrison making one or two good saves to keep the Wasps in front.

Bobby Wales, searching for his first Alloa goal, had a brilliant chance to double their lead, dancing past Stirling’s defenders to go 1-on-1 with Currie, but sends it just inches wide.

Alloa made no mistake from their next big chance, Euan Deveney sending a corner towards Devine, who heads it down into the path of Ally Roy, his strike meeting the back of the net.

This is his third goal for the club in just three appearances, with the striker proving to be a constant goal threat since coming in on loan.

This was Alloa’s chance for revenge against Stirling, who had beaten them twice in the season so far, and each man took it and ran with it.

“They beat us in the League Cup,” Rice added. they beat us in the League in two tight games but I don’t think anyone can complain about the result today.

“We defended properly today, balls into their box and the quality going forward. At times, our play going forward was really good.

“The team performance was excellent. That win right there is for my wee granddaughter Orla, that was for her.”

Steven Buchanan has maintained a spot in the starting lineup since the SPFL Trust tie against Rangers B, with the wing back proving a constant threat down the right-hand side.

He was responsible for creating a lot of Alloa’s chances against Stirling and was on hand to score the opening goal.

Rice continued: “Young Steven Buchanan was given his chance five or six weeks ago and he’s taken it, he scored the first goal today and he’s a threat going down that wing.

“It’s a job well done today. It’s good to see Quinn Coulson get back to things, he’s had a tough time.

“Pre-season wasn’t great for him and he’s struggled a little bit. He came back into it today and did brilliantly.

“We knew it was a big game, we were disappointed with last week but this is a new week and it’s a three points and now it’s onto next week.”

Alloa see themselves move up to sixth place, with the playoff spots within sight at just four points away.

Next up for Alloa is a visit from Queen of the South, who have struggled this season so far, but their away form is better than their home record.