Alloa Athletic remain top of the league with win over Kelty

The Irishman tapped the ball in from close range following a superb cross from the young Kane Thomson, who continued to fill in at left back in place of the injured Calum Waters.

Alloa had a slow start against Michael Tidser’s men, but both sides went into the break goalless despite having good chances.

The visitors were lucky not to be a man down after goalkeeper Ruaridh Adams cleaned out Steven Buchanan out wide, only receiving a yellow for his challenge.

Morgyn Neill had a fantastic game in defence but the towering centre half almost had a chance to put the Wasps ahead, his double effort first being saved by Adams and then striking the bar, before the referee blew for a foul.

His centre back partner David McKay would have his own chance to fire Alloa in front, his well struck effort ricocheting off the crossbar and down onto the line before being cleared.

DELIGHT: Andy Graham watched on as his side beat Kelty Hearts 1-0. (Image: Scott Barron) Manager Andy Graham was delighted in how his side marshalled Kelty’s attacking line, despite not playing up to the standards they had set themselves.

“I’m really pleased for the group,” Graham said. “I don’t think they played particularly well today but again you can’t question the character of the group.

“Second half, we were better to be fair, we addressed how we were pressing Kelty – we sat off them in the first half and they were creating opportunities.

“They’re very dangerous going forward and they’re a good side and it didn’t surprise me from [Luke] McCarvel, CJ [Craig Johnston] and [Scott] Williamson, they’re very good and I thought we handled them really well.”

Alloa came out the break hungry for a goal came agonisingly close as Buchanan sent a cross in towards Cameron O’Donnell – his header being well saved by Adams.

Neill had another effort saved by Kelty’s number 1, while Morrison did well to deny Scott Williamson for the visitors.

Graham turned to his bench on the hour mark, swapping out Kevin Cawley for Conor Sammon – but was forced to wait as the referee let a Kelty free kick be taken before the change could be made.

Sammon made an instant impact, bundling the ball into the back of the net before it was ruled out for offside.

The veteran striker would not be denied a second time, latching onto Thomson’s cross and tapping home his fourth goal of the campaign.

DEFEAT: Michael Tidser watched on from the sidelines. (Image: Scott Barron) Kelty piled on the pressure as they sought an equaliser, but Alloa weathered the storm and saw out a 1-0 win to remain unbeaten and top of the league.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Graham went on: “Second half, we started to play more once we got the ball down, we looked a threat going forward.

“We were catching them high up the pitch and with a little bit more composure, we could have maybe added once we go ahead.

“My frustration is – not intentionally, we didn’t sit in or anything like that – but on the counter attack, if we’d shown a little more composure, we could’ve made it calmer at the end.

“Last 5, 10 minutes they’re always going to push men forward and have pressure and I thought we stood up to that really well.

“it was only really the scramble in the corner that looked like it potentially go in but yet again, they all put their body on the line and gave everything they got to keep that clean sheet.

“Thankfully, that’s what we’ve managed to do.”

Alloa now remain top of the league but have extended their lead by one point, edging next week’s opponents Montrose.

In addition to the league standings, Alloa now stand as the only League One side to remain unbeaten.

The defence has been a highlight this season, conceding just five goals in seven goals, which came in games against Dumbarton and Inverness.

While the defensive performance has been pleasing for Graham, he hailed the quality of the full team in keeping clean sheets.

“It’s not just PJ and the defence,” Graham added. “Everyone keeps a clean sheet.

“Look at Sammo, he had a couple big headers at the end as well and LD, I thought he got into some great defensive positions to help out.

“It really does take 11 and I never see it as just a goalkeeper and a clean sheet, it really is everyone that’s kept a clean sheet – including the subs that come on.

“The pleasing thing for me is that they’ve got a lot of determination to keep that ball out of the net at the moment.

“Long may that continue.”

ALLOA: Morrison, Taggart, McKay, Neill, Thomson, Hetherington, Scougall (Virtanen, 86'), Buchanan, Cawley (Sammon, 59'), O'Donnell, Donnelly.

Unused Subs: Ogayi, Devine, Nevans, Rankin, Graham.