Arbroath fail to make most of domination

ALLOA 1 ARBROATH 1 (ARBROATH 6-5 ON PENS)

Arbroath dominated the match from start to finish, they out played and outran the home side, who just did not get into their stride, and yet the visitors were unable to convert their dominance into goals.

Blair Yule opened for Arbroath in the 16th minute. He was perfectly placed to connect with an inch-perfect cross from Danny Denholm and headed home from close range.

The home side tried to get something from the game but the well-drilled Arbroath defence mopped up any attempts made by the Alloa forwards.

Alloa came close in the 29th minute when Andy Graham outjumped the Arbroath defence, but his header went wide.

The Arbroath fans and players appealed for a penalty in the 56th minute after Omar Kader connected with a Bobby Linn cut-back and Kader collided with Craig McDowell, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Bobby Linn squandered a great chance in the 54th minute when he ran in on the Alloa goal and, with only Craig McDowall in the home goal to beat, shot wide.

Alloa continued to fight to get back in the game but were unable to break down the strong Arbroath defence.

Alloa substitute Declan McDonald came close to levelling the match in the 85th minute but his close-range shot went wide.

Alloa were rewarded for their perseverance with an equaliser in the 89th minute when Frank McKeown fired in a fierce shot from 12 yards out that beat Ricky Gomes in the Arbroath goal.

Arbroath manager Dick Campbell was delighted with his side’s performance in what was their first competitive match of the season, but expressed disappointment at the outcome.

“We created a lot of chances and I am very disappointed that we did not take the three points.

“This will be a hard league to play in.

“We played tonight with four or five players missing due to holidays and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.” Teams: Alloa: McDowall, Taggart, McKeown, Graham, Hetherington, Robertson, Flannigan, Cawley (Martin 60), Fleming (McDonald 76), Cook (Grant 61), Renton. Unused subs: Hoggan, Cunningham, Wilson, Monaghan.

Arbroath: Gomes, Gold, Little, O’Brien, Hamilton (Malin 80), Yule, Henry (Whatley 72), Kader, Linn (Hester 74), Denholm, Doris. Unused subs: Skelly, Prunty, McCord. Attendance: 311 Referee: Grant Irvine.