Jim’s Wasps still buzzing after a Diamonds heist
Alloa boss Jim Chapman was thrilled with his side after they dug in to see off play-off rivals Airdrie 2-1.
The second- placed Wasps widened the gap between themselves and Airdrie in third spot to five points thanks to Andy Graham’s first-half double.
And Chapman said: “It was a great performance. We started well then dropped off a wee bit but overall I’m delighted.
“I’m pleased we were able to follow up a win over Queen’s Park last week with a huge victory against a good Airdrie team.
“We’ve got a decent cushion right now but we want to cement ourselves in that play-off place.”
The hosts got off to a flyer with Graham in the right place at the right time in the box to net from close range in just four minutes.
Airdrie keeper Rohan Ferguson then did well to stop Greig Spence from close range before the Wasps extended their lead in 17 minutes as Graham nodded home a second.
The Diamonds looked out of it but Iain Russell gave his side a little hope, firing home from close range in 22 minutes.
But Alloa should have added a third late on with Kevin Cawley unable to finish from inside the area as they strengthened their play-off hopes.
Airdrie manager Mark Wilson said: “You prepare all week then you go and start like that for the first 20 minutes. It’s appalling.”
East Fife gaffer Barry Smith hailed his bare bones side after they held Peterhead to a 1-1 draw and stretched their unbeaten run to 10 league matches.
Kevin Smith headed the Methil men in front early in the second half but sub Jordon Brown rescued a point for the Blue Toon.
Smith said: “It was always going to be tough up here with our squad being low on numbers. It’s a point we would have taken before the match.
“But when you’re 1- 0 up, you want to win so it was disappointing that we couldn’t see the game out.”
The Fifers broke the deadlock four minutes after the interval when Jamie Penrice’s cross was headed in by Smith.
The Blue Toon responded well and were level in 65 minutes when Brown, who had only been on a matter of moments, nodded in a Grant Anderson cross.
Peterhead boss Jim McInally said: “As soon as East Fife scored, we started to play and were on the front foot.”
Stranraer striker Craig Malcolm netted his 100th goal for the Blues as they beat Brechin 2- 0.
Willie Gibson’s deflected effort in 22 minutes had the home side in front but they were kept there thanks to Cameron Belford’s saves.
Malcolm sealed it 12 minutes from time, flicking home Gibson’s free-kick.
Boss Stevie Farrell said: “Craig is a natural finisher. He plays between the posts in the six-yard box and reacts. That’s why he’s got 100 goals. I’m delighted.”
Brechin player/manager Darren Dods said: “Things are not breaking for us.”
The games at Livingston and Albion Rovers were postponed due to their pitches being water-logged.