ALLOA sit in the coveted fourth place playoff spot for the first time this season, courtesy of a Bobby Wales brace and a second half Taylor Steven strike against Annan.

The Wasps visited Galabank to take on league strugglers Annan, who sit at ninth in the table, well ahead of Edinburgh City in tenth.

Andy Graham made two changes from last week’s game against Falkirk, with Quinn Coulson returning to the starting XI on the left side of the attack, with Conor Sammon dropping to the bench.

At left back, Ethan Sutherland made his debut since coming in on loan from St Mirren on Thursday, with Cammy O’Donnell also on the bench.

Alloa got a shock in the first few minutes as Aidan Smith fired the hosts in front with a strike into the bottom corner.

However, the Wasps recovered quickly and settled into the game right after, with their efforts being rewarded just 10 minutes later.

After re-signing for Alloa, Bobby Wales was back to doing what he does best as he scored twice in two minutes to fire the Wasps in front.

For the rest of the first half, Alloa controlled play, keeping the ball down and testing Annan’s back line, with Wales hungry for a hat trick.

“I’m really pleased with the three points,” Graham said. “The first 10, 15 minutes was just so unlike us.

“That was the frustration, not just that we lose a goal but the way we started the game was really poor.

“What I was delighted with was our response to that, once we started putting our foot on the ball and passing the ball properly, we were much better.

“That’s when we get the two goals, Bobby does really well but it was good play to get the goals and for the rest of the half, we got the ball down, started getting good touches and we showed composure.

“We were good after that and I thought we were well worth the three points in the end.”

Alloa came out the break the better side, but Annan did start to challenge the Wasps’ backline at times.

Wales, searching for his third of the day, had a great chance when he broke free and went one-on-one with Jacques Heraghty, but the Annan keeper did well to deny the Kilmarnock loanee.

Taylor Steven, who shone on Saturday driving the ball forward from the right flank, had a few efforts go over the bar or saved by Heraghty.

Eventually, though, his efforts were rewarded as he added Alloa’s third and his first goal since the 3-1 win over Kelty Hearts in October.

Graham continued: “We had a couple good chances in the second half, the goalie’s done well with Taylor’s one and Bobby’s unlucky.

“Overall, on the balance of play, we deserved a win. Annan are a good side and they’re always going to put you under pressure.

“Fair play, the boys stood strong to it and in the last few minutes at 3-2, we stood up to it really well and I’m delighted to come here and get three points.”

A real highlight of Alloa’s performance on Saturday was the debut of Ethan Sutherland, who came in on loan from St Mirren on Thursday evening.

Slotting in at left back, the 17-year-old did well on his Wasps debut including a sublime weighted ball to set up Bobby Wales’ opener.

This will surely be just a flicker of what the youngster is capable of as he is set to continue his development until the end of the season with Alloa.

“He did really well,” Graham added. “The first 10 minutes, it was hard to judge anybody as we were all poor, we were all off it.

“Once he got a lovely ball in for Bobby’s goal, that settled him right down and I thought he was really good after that.

“He’s only 17-years-old but great for him to make his debut. I don’t like singling people out and everyone plays their part when you get three points.

“He did well and there’s more to come from him as well and from the rest of the players as well.”

Alloa have a tough run of fixtures to look forward to, as they host Stirling Albion at the Recs before a midweek game against Annan.

Stirling, who had struggled in the league over the past couple of months, have started to find their feet again, demolishing Kelty Hearts 5-0 last week before drawing 2-2 with Cove Rangers on Saturday.

This will be a big test for Andy Graham’s men, one that the gaffer insists they will be more than ready for.

“It’s a really big game and a local derby,” Graham continued. “One that the players will be really motivated for.

“Stirling are a good side, Darren [Young]’s done really well and you’ve got a lot of players that can cause you problems but we’ve got players that can cause them problems as well.

“That’s what we’ll be focusing on this week – how we can best approach the game to get three points.”

Alloa take on Stirling Albion next Saturday at the Recs at 3pm.