Parry has some sympathy for old pal Connolly

DUNFERMLINE ALLOA 2 2

NEIL PARRY, the Alloa Athletic goalkeeper, has backed his former Queen’s Park team-mate Aidan Connolly to bounce back from his penalty nightmare.

A breathless Irn-Bru Cup clash was decided from the spot after Dunfermline’s Louis Longridge and Alloa playmaker Alan Trouten both scored braces in a 2-2 draw.

Connolly was the villain, though, when he saw his effort superbly saved by Parry, sending the visitors through 5-4. It was cruel on the 23-year-old, whose dad, Paddy, is the assistant manager to Jim Goodwin at the Clackmannanshire club.

Parry was adamant he did not require any advice from Connolly Sr, having played alongside Aidan for two seasons at Hampden.

“I didn’t ask his dad which way Aidan would go,” Parry smiled. “I played with Aidan at Queen’s Park, so I already knew him pretty well. He’s a top player and a really good guy.

“Someone has to be the guy who misses in a penalty shootout and unfortunately it was Aidan on this occasion. I told him afterwards just to keep his head up.”

Alloa’s triumph continues a remarkable run of form in penalty shootouts for Goodwin’s spot-kick specialists.

Alloa have scored 14 out of 14 this term, spanning two wins over Dundee United and Saturday’s victory in Fife.

Parry also boasts eight shootout stops for Alloa.

“It’s all credit to the boys this season because our penalties have been unbelievable,” he said. “I had confidence in the boys. It’s not something we even particularly work on.”