ALLOA recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they beat Queen of the South by a goal.

Paddy Connolly and Kenny Brannigan led the team following the departure of manager Brian Rice earlier this week, with just one change from the previous game against Stirling.

PJ Morrison lined up in goals as he continued to return to full fitness behind Scott Taggart, David Devine and Morgyn Neill.

Steven Buchanan and Euan Deveney started on the wings on either side of Kurtis Roberts and Steven Hetherington.

Taylor Steven returned to the starting XI, with Quinn Coulson dropping to the bench, with a front two of Bobby Wales and Ally Roy.

Alloa had one great chance to go ahead in the first half, as Steven Buchanan found himself one-on-one with the Queens keeper, forcing a great stop from Harry Stone.

Queen of the South responded up the other end as Gavin Reilly breaks through the Alloa defence and plays in Kieran McKechnie. Morrison came out to make a huge save to deny the Doonhammers before half time.

Alloa broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, with talisman Ally Roy scoring his fourth goal in as many matches for the club.

Connolly spoke to Advertiser Sport after the match, explaining he was delighted with the players performance despite the circumstances at the club.

He said: “We only found out on Thursday that the gaffer had left and started his new job this weekend so yeah, it was difficult circumstances.

“The players reacted brilliantly to it, we knew it was going to be a tough game against Queen of the South, we always have tough games against them especially here.

“It was a really good, disciplined performance and fortunately we got the goal which made the difference.”

Alloa started to really test the Queen of the South defence as the first half edged on, with the strike partnership of Ally Roy and Bobby Wales proving a constant threat.

Roy, in particular, has scored a goal in every appearance he’s made for Alloa since coming on loan from East Kilbride.

The in-form striker is now Alloa’s joint top scorer for this season in all competitions, tied on five with Brad Rodden.

“Ally’s been excellent,” Connolly continued. “He took his goal brilliantly today, great first touch outside of his foot.

“He was unlucky not to get a second one after that. I’m really pleased with him, he’s a goal threat in every game, he’s got a goal a game.

“Young Bobby Wales as well, I need to give him credit, he’s worked his tail off as all the boys did but he brought quality to the team as well.

“Ally had one of his quieter games but he is still that goal threat. We’re really pleased with the two strikers and the whole team throughout.”

This was Alloa’s fifth win of the League One campaign and their first back-to-back wins of the season so far.

The Wasps remain in sixth place, just two points off Cove and Montrose who sit in third and fourth place respectively.

Meanwhile, at club level, the search for a new permanent manager to replace Rice is well underway.

“We’ve been in this position before,” Connolly added. “It’ll be the usual speculation, all the managers that have come here before have done pretty well.

“I’m sure there will be a few coaches out there that will see this as a stepping stone maybe for bigger things as it has been in the past.

“I’m pretty sure the chairman will have a few applicants already but I’ve not heard anything yet.

“Once the chairman has made a decision, he’ll let me know but I don’t know when that will be.”

Next up for Alloa is a trip to Edinburgh City, who remain bottom of the League after losing 2-1 to Falkirk.