A CONTROVERSIAL penalty, a dubious goal and a couple of red cards were the deciding factors in Alloa’s 1-0 defeat to Arbroath.

The Wasps were reduced to 9 men by the end of things, with Calum Gallagher’s headed effort adjudged to have crept over the line.

Referee Steven Kirkland was particularly card-happy throughout the match, sending both Calum Waters and Tyrece McDonnell off in the second half.

Andy Graham made one change from last week’s win over Stenhousemuir as Kane Thomson came back into the side at right back, at the expense of Morgyn Neill.

Alloa had a couple chances from the off, with Steven Buchanan striking the crossbar after good work from Luke Rankin to carry the ball into the danger area.

The first half was a largely even affair until Arbroath were awarded a questionable penalty for a supposed foul from Scott Taggart.

This was the beginning of the unravelment against Alloa, as Waters went into the book for dissent on the other end of the box.

PJ Morrison continued his exceptional form over the season with a superb penalty save, pushing the ball out for a corner.

A stramash from the corner gave Gallagher the chance to head past Morrison and, despite Kevin Cawley’s best efforts to clear the danger, the referee decided the ball crossed the line and gave the visitors the advantage.

The fans erupted around the Recs after the two controversial decisions, but things would only get worse in the second half.

On the decisions, Graham said: “It’s not in my nature to come out and point the finger at officials and blame them for results.

“I do think anyone that was at the game today will understand how big an impact they did have on it.

“The penalty decision, if people watch it back, will find it quite baffling as I did and everything stemmed from that.

“PJ saves the penalty but they score from the resulting corner – was it over the line? I don’t think it was.

“That’s where the frustration comes from and then Calum Waters picks up his booking so it all stems from that one really poor decision.”

Alloa came out the break and looked to draw things level yet again, but a late tackle by Waters would see the ref give him a second yellow and send him to dressing room early.

A man down, Cawley would make way for Morgyn Neill to round off the defence as Graham sacrificed the man in attack to keep Arbroath from adding to their goal tally.

This was successful as a resolute Alloa defence largely contained Arbroath, with Morrison coming up with some big saves to keep it 1-0.

The Alloa stopper did exceptionally well during a two-on-one, reading the situation well and getting a strong hand to deny Arbroath from close range.

Ex-Wasp Innes Murray would then find himself one-on-one with Morrison, but Alloa’s number 1 ran out from his goal and made himself large, with the Lichties man only able to strike the woodwork.

Up the other end, chances came for Alloa as Cammy O’Donnell also struck the bar, but the Wasps found it difficult to get a break of the ball as the referee blew for fouls and pulled the game back where he could.

The sting ultimately out of the match, Alloa were dealt a final sucker punch as Tyrece McDonnell was also sent off after two yellows.

The first was for kicking the ball away, while the second came for a foul late on in the game, his first since coming on off the bench.

“It’s one that we put behind us,” Graham went on. “I made mistakes today and I’m honest and open enough to own up to that.

“I don’t think I got things right tactically and I spoke to the group about that in there but it’s about putting the result behind us.

“The boys didn’t stop trying, they gave everything they had when down to 10 men in the second half.

“Cammy’s really unlucky with his free kick that comes off of the bar, they’re obviously going to have chances on the counter attack.

“Overall, I’m disappointed with the result but it’s about doing what group do best which is bouncing back.

“I’ve no doubt they will because they’re really good at that.”

Saturday’s result sees Alloa knocked off top spot, but they remain joint top of the league with Cove Rangers and Stenhousemuir on 17 points.

Next week’s game sees them up against Annan Athletic at the Recs and will unfortunately be without the services of Waters and McDonnell.

Luke Donnelly should be making his return, after serving a two-game suspension for his tackle against Cove Rangers three weeks ago.

League One remains as tight as it’s ever been, with just three points separating first from seventh place.

Graham added: “Regardless of how tight the league is, you can only focus on what you can do.

“We can only focus on what we can control and the variables are other teams and there’s no point even worrying about that.

“Today, I got a few things wrong, but ultimately the decision in the full match – Arbroath were good and they had a game plan.

“They’re a good side and I’m not taking anything away from them when I say that but that decision had a huge impact on the outcome in the end.”