STEFAN SCOUGALL scored his first goal in 15 months to send Alloa joint top of the League after a 1-0 win over Annan.

Andy Graham made two changes for the visit to Galabank – Morgyn Neill slotted in at centre half and Scougall replaced Luke Donnelly in midfield.

The first chance came from Steven Buchanan’s delivery on the right hand side, meeting Calum Waters who leapt into the air but his header was saved by Jamie Smith.

Waters would remain involved in the action, however, with his turn for a delivery poorly cleared by Annan’s player/manager Willie Gibson.

The ball rolls out for Scougall, who charged forward and drilled it down the middle into the Annan goal.

A nervy moment for Alloa came shortly after, Gibson’s corner finding an unmarked Tommy Goss who heads towards goal.

Kurtis Roberts heads it off the line and the ball ricochets off the crossbar, with the Galabankies adamant the ball had crossed the line.

Annan’s Harrison Wood has two follow up efforts in the resulting scramble – one hit off the post and Roberts stood tall to clear the second.

Alloa continued to produce some wonderful play – David McKay firstly carrying the ball forward before playing it out to Buchanan and then Taggart.

The Wasps captain looks for Sammon in his cross but Annan sat back and defended well as Alloa looked to double their advantage.

Sammon would be denied a goal of his own before half time, a long ball over the top played down by Scougall and teed up nicely for the Irishman, who slotted home before the whistle went for a contentious offside.

“First half, I thought we played really well,” Graham told WaspTV. “We looked a real threat especially when we passed the ball really well and we made some good moves.

“Calum Waters heads it near the back post – it’s a great save by the goalie – but if you watch it back, the move was excellent when we were brave enough to pass the ball about.

“The first half was a really good performance – they had the scramble from the set play which was chaos but fair play to the boys again, they’re putting their bodies on the line and showing great commitment to stop the ball going in.”

The game would ultimately be a game of two halves for Alloa – after starting really positively, the Wasps were suddenly pressed hard by the hosts.

Annan would spend the second 45 creating some really good chances, but lacked the finish in the final third to be able to get back in the game.

Andy Graham brought on the likes of Donnelly, Cammy O’Donnell and Miko Virtanen to hold up the game and stop the Galabankies’ press.

Graham went on: “Second half, you have to credit Annan – I say it all the time, you’re never going to get it your own way for the full 90 minutes in this league.

“Annan came out the second half and played much better – they were more aggressive in the way they pressed us and they caused us problems.

“On the flipside, I’m delighted by the attitude shown by the players to come here and get a clean sheet.

“We talked about it at half time – we got ourselves into a winning position, it was all about going in at the end of the game in a winning position.

“We did that and I thought defensively, we were really good as a team and that starts from Sammo up front who worked his socks off.”

While Graham’s subs came on and settled the game down, helping Alloa claim their second win in a row of the league season, one in particular was enforced.

Roberts has been carrying a hernia over the last couple weeks, replaced by Virtanen as he was unable to finish the game.

Graham talked through Roberts’ situation, explaining that his injury is not getting any worse but that he was unable to finish the game.

“It’s not making it worse,” Graham added. “Kurtis has a hernia that we’re having to deal with and we know that.

“He gave us what he can and that’s brilliant – the players are ready to put their bodies on the line and Kurtis did that today.

“He couldn’t complete the game but we put Miko on and he came and did a job for us really well.

“It’s frustrating with injuries but that’s why we’ve got a squad – I had guys on the bench who were unlucky to be left out but every week, they know why that’s the case.

“The guys that came on did a shift and I’m really pleased with the three points, this is a really difficult place to come and Annan are a good side.”

“We’re looking to pick a team to win every Saturday and we’ve done that today.”