MORGYN NEILL said he “owed it the fans” after he opened the scoring during Alloa’s win over St Johnstone.

The centre half played the full 90 in Alloa’s giant killing in the League Cup on Tuesday, dispatching Premiership side St Johnstone 3-2.

Neill caught on to a ball from Scott Taggart’s free kick and headed home the opening goal, setting Alloa on the path to victory against the Saints.

He remarked that this goal truly meant something for him, after he was sent off during the second leg of the Championship playoff semi-final against Hamilton.

After that game, Neill received abuse on social media from angry fans, but vowed he would bounce back better than before and repay the club for keeping faith in him.

Speaking to Advertiser Sport, Neill talked through how much his goal against St Johnstone meant to him.

He said: “Since that Hamilton game, I’ve had to try not to dwell on it too much but it’s always been on the back of my mind.

“Coming into pre-season, I felt I did well and I came back in good shape. I felt I owed it to the fans but I also owed it to myself to put it right and it was a good feeling.

“It was good to repay the fans and that goal did mean a lot to me, I want to put what happened in the playoff game right.

“We’ve got our goals and objectives but mine personally is I want us to go for the league, this could be our time.”

Outside of the goal, Neill played a vital role in Alloa’s back line in keeping St Johnstone quiet, constantly having to deal with their long balls over the top to their strikers.

Neill was tasked with marshalling Benjamin Kimpioka and did a stellar job in containing the Saints striker, nullifying any attacking threat from Craig Levein’s side.

This was Neill’s second competitive goal for Alloa, his first coming against Stenhousemuir in the League Cup last year.

Alongside focusing mainly on his defensive duties, he also has an eye for goal and wants to add to his tally this season.

“It was a big game,” Neill added. “We were up against a team that everyone outside our dressing room didn’t expect us to beat.

“The gaffer has an idea of what we’re like as players and he wanted us to get something from the game.

“It was good to get a goal. I joked with the gaffer that since I came to Alloa, it’s been my worst goalscoring record.

“I’ve scored a few goals in friendlies for Alloa, but I’ve only scored two competitive goals for Alloa.

“Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve always chipped in with big important goals so it was good to get a goal against a big team and be part of the team who beat St Johnstone.

“I’m still looking to contribute far more.”