Watson late show sinks brave Alloa
ST MIRREN defender Keith Watson scored a late winner against bottom club Alloa to keep the Paisley men 10 points ahead of the relegation play-off spot.
Saints will no doubt continue to look over their shoulders, with 11th-placed Livingston — winners at Falkirk yesterday — having a game in hand.
But this win eased any worries of Alex Rae’s men being dragged into a fight near the bottom.
Defeat was harsh on Alloa, though, and their search for a first home victory of the season goes on. Although the Wasps could mathematically still catch Livvy, they are bracing themselves for life in League One next season
Rae was delighted to see his side eventually seal the win.
‘You must give Alloa credit,’ he said. ‘They threw everything at us in the second half.
‘It’s a massive result for us, with Livingston winning.’
Rae accepted a one-match ban for comments he made towards the referee in last Tuesday’s home loss to Raith and he sat in the stand.
The first half failed to produce any quality football on a questionable artificial playing surface.
However, the game livened up in the second period and Alloa nearly took the lead on 49 minutes, but Michael Duffy’s fierce shot was tipped over the bar by Saints goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.
And the hosts somehow failed to score on 63 minutes in an almighty scramble. Iain Flannigan’s effort was cleared off the line by Watson. The ball fell to Duffy 10 yards out. His effort was blocked by Langfield before Graeme Holmes blasted over the bar.
Alloa were then denied the opener after a stunning save by Langfield from Duffy’s point-blank effort.
Saints snatched the win five minutes from the end when Watson fired home a loose ball in the box after Alloa’s defence failed to deal with a long throw-in.
Wasps boss Jack Ross said: ‘I’m gutted for the players because they were terrific, but it is a really quiet dressing room now.’