Wasps earn good point in play-o promotion race
Alloa unable to take all three points in close encounter
ALLOA earned a good point in the play-off race as they played out a goalless draw against Montrose and the weather.
Conditions were not great as rain and wind battered the Recs, with neither side able to finish their chances to put the game to bed.
In the end, the Wasps settled for a point against fellow play-off chasers Montrose, and with results going their way elsewhere, they further tightened their grip on the all-important spot in the play-offs.
Manager Andy Graham named an unchanged XI from last week with the exception of Dave McKay coming in to replace David Devine, who was forced off with a hamstring injury against Stirling.
The visitors controlled the game in the opening phases, with Alloa at times penned in by Montrose’s attackers.
Despite pressure, the back line stood tall and denied the Mo any real chances before the hosts settled into the game and began to play out from their goal.
An overly uneventful first half came to a goalless end, with the highlights being Morgyn Neill and PJ Morrison working very well to deny Montrose seconds before the whistle went.
As the second half started, Alloa came out on the front foot and looked to really test Cammy Gill but were unable to get their shots away.
Kurtis Roberts had a cheeky back heel attempt saved after some commotion in the box, while Miko Virtanen put an end to the resulting counter attack.
Montrose thought they had the breakthrough as the ball was bundled past PJ Morrison but the flag was raised for offside.
The conditions worsened with heavy rain and wind making the ball difficult to control, as Alloa threw everything they had to find a last minute winner.
Montrose had their final effort scooped up by Morrison at the death, topping off a solid performance from Alloa’s defence.
“It was really tough,” Graham said. “It was tough conditions for both sides but we tried to get it down.
“In the first half, I thought we played some good stuff at times but in the second half, the conditions worsened a little bit and we struggled against the wind to get
it down and play.
“There wasn’t much in the game, both teams had chances and overall a draw is a fair result, we had a couple in the first half that we’re unlucky with.
“Cammy Gill made some good saves and likewise, PJ has made a really good save for us so overall, I’d say a point is a fair result.
“We’re disappointed obviously, because we’re at home and we want to win and never take that away from us, we always try and win.
“I thought in the last 10 minutes, we were pushing for it and going for it but it wasn’t to be, we didn’t get the shot off in the box or find that half yard we were looking for.
“It wasn’t through lack of effort, I’m delighted with that side of it and I’m pleased
What the gaffer said:
“There wasn’t much in the game, both teams had chances and overall a draw is a fair result, we had a couple in the first half that we’re unlucky with.”
with the clean sheet so we build on that and take it into next week.”
This result means Alloa remain in third place and safely in the play-off spots, with Montrose a place behind, albeit with a game in hand at the time of writing.
Saturday’s result does ensure, however, that Montrose couldn’t overtake Alloa last night when they played their rescheduled fixture against Edinburgh City.
Positive news elsewhere for Alloa was Annan’s 4-2 victory over Cove Rangers, the last member of a three-way fight for playoffs.
This means should Alloa beat Cove in Aberdeen this Saturday, their play-off place, and the chance to go for promotion, will be secured.
Graham added: “I never look at it as a set of games or anything like that, it’s just one game.
“Montrose played well and I’m sure they’ll be happy to go down the road with a point. We move onto the next game, we take the positives from it and go up to Cove and get a result.
“We’re only focused on the next match, there’s no point in thinking about the games that follow because when we go to Cove that’s an opportunity to win the game and cement our place in the play-offs.
“That’s all we’re looking at, that game is the most important thing.
“It’s really not about other teams because it’s in our hands, we’re the team in third place and it’s down to what we do.
“We know that as a collective that it’s in our hands and it’s the most important thing we go to Cove and try our best to get a result.”
Alloa’s game at Cove Rangers this Saturday will be played at 5.30pm and will be shown live on BBC Alba.