Goodwin glad to get a slice of luck as Wasps climb away from trouble
JIM GOODWIN admits Alloa enjoyed a stroke of luck in their survival fight after a freak goal direct from a corner secured his side three precious points against relegation rivals Queen of the South.
Both sides missed a hatful of chances until, 17 minutes from the end, Steven Hetherington’s wind-assisted corner found its way past Queens keeper Jack Leighfield to give Goodwin his fourth win on the bounce.
‘We didn’t play great, and that’s as bad a game as we’ve put in with regards possession,’ said the Alloa boss, whose side are now up to sixth in the Championship. ‘It wasn’t pretty but we got a bit of luck.’ In a remarkable resurgence, Alloa went into yesterday’s crucial showdown on the back of three successive wins, including a victory over runaway leaders Ross County.
In contrast, Queens are in freefall, with just one win in their last 12 — a run of form which has left Gary Naysmith’s men just above Falkirk in the relegation play-off spot on goal difference.
Andy Graham, who has played in every minute of Alloa’s league campaign this season, flicked a header on from an Iain Flannigan corner from the left after 14 minutes, but Dario Zanatta, from just six yards, scooped the ball over.
Five minutes later, Liam Dick swung over a cross from the left for on-loan Celtic youngster Jack Aitchison to force a save from Leighfield, with the follow-up by Kevin Cawley bundled off the line.
Queens passed up a glaring opportunity in 34 minutes after a shocking defensive blunder from Graham let Lyndon Dykes through on goal, but goalkeeper Neil Parry blocked his effort with his legs.
Two minutes later, Parry produced a wonderful double save from Dykes and then Scott Mercer.
There was more heroics from Parry less than a minute into the second period when he blocked Jordan Marshall’s effort.
The Wasps carved out a glorious chance in 65 minutes when substitute Jim Hamilton got on the end of a pass from Cawley, but Leighfield spread himself well before Hetherington struck the freak winner.
‘I feel like we’ve been robbed,’ said Naysmith. ‘We were in control and had the chances. To lose a goal from a corner at any level is inexcusable.’