IT WAS a tight contest between Alloa Athletic and Falkirk in the Scottish Cup, which saw the wasps crash out of the competition in the fourth round after a late goal left it 2-1.

Alloa opened the scoring against their fellow League One side early, after a brilliant shot from Ross MacIver fell into the path of Luke Donnelly who taps it in.

The hosts almost had a second before half time after a mistake by Falkirk keeper PJ Morrison gifts MacIver a shot, but shot stopper manages to recover in time to keep it out.

Falkirk grew into the game as the half went on and equalised just before the break with a goal from Brad McKay.

The second half was a very even forty five minutes, with Falkirk substitute Rurman Burrell breaking the deadlock in the 76th minute to win the game for the visitors.

Alloa manager Brian Rice felt the result was frustrating and commended his team for their performance.

“We were on top most of the game, created some really good chances,” he said. “I’m really disappointed we’re out the Cup, it was a sucker punch.

“I’m proud of my boys, the way they played, the effort they gave, I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.”

Alloa had plenty of chances fall to them, with Ross MacIver and Conor Sammon unable to find the back of the net.

“We had a great chance at 1-0, the goalkeeper passed it straight to MacIver”, Rice said. “Lots of ifs, buts and maybes.

“We played some really good football and it was a good cup tie. Overall, we’re disappointed to be out of the Cup but really proud of my team.”

Alloa controlled the ball for the most of the first half, with Falkirk only finding an equaliser in the last seconds before the break.

Rice went on to say this was a part of the match that disappointed him, feeling that the Wasps had managed to stay on top up until this.

He said: “It was a poor goal from our point of view – we’ve not picked up a cross coming into the box.

“Brad McKay goes in and then scores a goal. We regrouped at half time and then in the second half we were at it again.

“Cup ties are all about having a go and today, we certainly had a go”

Looking ahead, Alloa travel to Airdrieonians next Saturday January 28, hoping to continue their five match unbeaten streak in League 1.

Alloa then welcome Peterhead before coming up against Falkirk again for a double header.

Rice is looking forward to getting back to the league and is already thinking about what will be a difficult game against Airdrie.

“We’re back to league business next week, with a tough game against Airdrie. They’re a really good team.

“We’ll look forward to Airdrie then we play Falkirk twice. If I get that effort and we keep up the way we played today, we’re a handful.”

Alloa Athletic will play Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium on Saturday, January 28 at 3pm.