David Gold’s late strike earned Arbroath three precious points, which could go a long way to preserving the Angus side’s Championship status.
However, for Alloa, the result leaves their survival hopes very much hanging in the balance. The Wasps are now seven points adrift of both the Lichties and Morton with just four games to play, but, in a topsy-turvy season, anything could yet happen.
Lichties boss Dick Campbell said: “It’s a massive three points for us, but I still wouldn’t write off Alloa as they are more than capable of winning games.
“I’m not sure if it was a good game to watch or not, but I’m not bothered about that. What’s important is that we won and the teams above us will be looking over their shoulders
“I thought we deserved to win the game. We got a lucky break with the second goal, but remember Alloa got a 90th-minute one against us at their place, so we’ve turned that around.”
In a disappointing first half, there were few chances, but, after the break the game, burst into life as both sides went in search of the victory they both craved.
The Lichties struck first, Nicky Low setting up Jack Hamilton with a slide rule pass which the striker powered below Neil Parry just before the hour mark.
But Alloa struck back within five minutes through Alan Trouten, who made amends for a couple of earlier misses by blasting beyond Derek Gaston.
The all-important winner came seven minutes from the end. Arbroath sub Dale Hilson crossed low into the six-yard box where Gold got a touch on the ball to deflect it past Parry. It wasn’t a thing of beauty, but no-one in maroon was caring.
Alloa boss Peter Grant was obviously
disappointed with the outcome, but he is far from being ready to throw in the towel.
He said: “It’s a hard one to take and the boys are distraught.
“The first half was pretty scrappy, but, in the second half, I thought if a team was going to win, it would be us. But we’ll keep going.
“Today’s a big blow for us as it’s a game we felt we could win.
We are hurting, but we’ll never give in.
“I can never fault the commitment of my players, so we’ll keep going and try to win every game from now to the end of the season.”