Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rovers stung by in-form Wasps
Kerr reflects after winless run in league is extended
Brian Kerr admits Albion Rovers are stuck in a rut after they were stung by in- form Alloa Athletic.
A goal in each half from Iain Flannigan and substitute Kris Renton earned the Wasps all three points at Cliftonhill on Saturday.
Jim Goodwin’s men cemented third place in the League One standings courtesy of a fourth straight victory.
However, Rovers are now without a win in five games and their inability to get it right defensively threatens to ruin what had been an encouraging start to the campaign.
Boss Kerr said: “I thought we dictated the game for long spells but didn’t take our chances. We’re going through a bad spell just now.
“I felt our possession and shape was great and I thought we moved the ball well but in the final third we didn’t have the spark we had in previous games.
“I think quite a lot of our problems would be solved if we stopped conceding cheap goals. We’ve given away another two poor goals here.
“We’re not being cut open. It is down to individual errors and things that are becoming more difficult to coach.
“It’s frustrating and difficult but we’ve got to pick ourselves up as players and coaches and move on.”
This encounter wasn’t one for the purists on a bitterly cold afternoon on Coatbridge’s Main Street but an early goal soon warmed up the travelling contingent.
Andy Graham’s low cross was turned home by midfielder Flannigan and it could have been 2-0 in eight minutes had PJ Crossan’s fierce strike not hit the post.
Rovers did improve and ex-Cliftonhill custodian Neil Parry blocked from Ross Davidson towards the end of the first half with highly-rated Connor Shields and midfielder Gary Fisher both denied after the interval.
Indeed, Fisher should have equalised for the home side in the first minute of injury time but he blazed over from just inside the box.
Alloa capitalised on that wasted opportunity by scoring a second goal which might yet make the cut for one of those Christmas bloopers DVDs.
Alan Reid passed back to keeper Graham Bowman but his clearance rebounded straight off hitman Renton and into the back of the net.
Parry is a paid-up member of the goalkeepers’ union and he had plenty of sympathy for his opposite number.
He said: “It’s every goalie’s worst nightmare at that stage of a game when you’re chasing it.
“He is an excellent goalkeeper and it is just one of those things. You have to take it on the chin and come back stronger the next week.
“It was a hard- fought win. In the second half we dug in although it maybe wasn’t the best spectacle. I think we can be proud of our performance.”
Rovers chief Kerr is hoping a trip to Lowland League East Kilbride FC in the third round of the Scottish Cup can be the catalyst for bouncing back.
He said: “The last time we were on a decent run the international break came up and it kind of stalled our progress.
“It’s a tough one but I’m hoping that we will get the flip side from the break from the league this time.”