Alloa 0 Cove Rangers 2 

ALLOA’ S unbeaten run came to an end as Cove Rangers strolled to a comfortable win, with Luke Donnelly being sent off to complete a miserable day for the home side.

The Toonsers visited the Recs to round off the first quarter of games – Andy Graham’s side just one away from finishing the first nine unbeaten.

A promising opening 10 minutes for Alloa saw Stefan Scougall come inches from inflicting the first blow.

Buchanan continued to be a terror on the right wing, beating left back and cutting back for the unmarked Scougall, but his effort was wide.

From there, Cove settled into the game and began to test Alloa’s defence, PJ Morrison making two good saves within minutes of each other.

But the hosts’ back line was penetrated not long after, Connor Scully picking up on a slack pass to open the scoring.

The Wasps looked to respond and almost did, with some great passing between Scougall, Donnelly and Buchanan getting the crowd going, but the winger’s shot went past the post.

Cove struck again to double their lead, Fraser Fyvie getting the better of Steven Hetherington to find the net.

Already facing a two goal deficit, things went from bad to worse as Donnelly saw red for a late lunge through the back of Mitch Megginson.

“I was never really looking at it as a run as such,” Graham said. “There are wins and draws in there but it’s more important to win games of football.

“I’m disappointed to lose. I don’t think we played very well at all, especially in the first half.

“We have a big chance at 0-0 but credit to Cove, they came here and they’ve got really dangerous players in the forward areas and they showed that.

“They were very good in the first half and they were well worth 2-0.”

Graham made three changes at half time – Morgyn Neill, Kevin Cawley and Buchanan being replaced by David Devine, Tyrese McDonnell and Conor Sammon.

Alloa looked more settled in the second half and, similar to the 10-man performance against Hamilton in May, didn’t look a man down.

McDonnell continued to show glimpses of class when on the ball, always willing to take a man on and carry the ball forward.

The second half was a largely tepid affair, Alloa’s defence more watertight but the Wasps rarely threatening Cove’s goal.

One big chance came late into the second half, a dangerous cross and effort from Scougall was cleared off the line.

“Second half, credit the players ,” Graham went on. “They go out there with 10 men and you wouldn’t have known it to be honest.

“I’m disappointed not to get a goal for our efforts and credit to the players for the way they worked in the second half.

“The disappointment for me is the way we played in the first half but that’s the first quarter out of the way and it’s just one game of football.

“They’re quite down in there and I understand that because it hurts but you’ve got to channel that the right way and make sure we come in Tuesday night and we’re ready to go.

“We'll come in with a smile on our face and some positivity and we'll go in Friday and try to set right the mistakes that we made today.”

Devine came off the bench to get his first minutes since going off injured against East Fife in July on the opening night of the League Cup.

However, it was heartbreak for the young defender as he was forced off again late into the second half.

The manager was devastated for Devine, who has endured a torrid time on the sidelines with various injuries.

“Far too early to tell,” Graham said. “It’s so disappointing for him and so hard for him because he’s worked so hard to get himself back.

“He’s a brilliant boy in that respect and he does everything you ask of him, you’re just hoping it’s not as bad as you fear.

“We’ll wait to see what happens with that one but yeah, it’s disappointing.”

Next up for Alloa is a break from the League One campaign as they look to carry on their run in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The Wasps welcome league rivals Arbroath to the Recs on Friday evening for the round of 16 tie, with both sides chasing a spot in the quarter finals.

The sole meeting between the sides this season was a goalless draw, but this week will produce a victor – and Graham is determined to make it his team.

He added: “We want to win next week whether it’s a league game, cup game, anything. It’s important to get through to the next round.

“That’s always the attitude of myself, my staff and the players most importantly and I know they’ll want to put that right.

“They’ll go home tonight and think about the mistakes that they made and the things they could do better.

“It’s important that they put that behind them on Tuesday and they’re ready to go.”