PJ MORRISON said it was a “bitter pill to swallow” as Alloa were on the receiving end of a 1-0 defeat to Arbroath.

Several key officiating moments dictated the tempo of the game, stemming from a controversial penalty awarded to Arbroath.

Wasps captain Scott Taggart was deemed to have fouled Scott Stewart when making a block, with referee Steven Kirkland pointing to the spot.

While Morrison would go onto save the penalty kick, Arbroath hit back straight after to score the only goal of the game, albeit it was uncertain if it crossed the line or not.

Alloa’s day went from bad to worse in the second half as Kirkland saw fit to send off both Calum Waters and Tyrece McDonnell.

“We’re unfortunate with some of the decisions,” Morrison said. “We don’t like to come out and blame anything like that.

“The performance wasn’t great but I think a couple big decisions didn’t go our way today and it was an uphill task to come back from that.

“With the sending offs, it was a difficult one and it’s a bitter pill to swallow but we’ll move on and we’ll have our eyes on Annan next week.”

Morrison came under some pressure in the second half with Alloa facing a man disadvantage, increased to two for the final minutes of the game.

Despite the odds stacked against Alloa, the shot stopper popped with some big saves, customary at this stage after such a storming start to the season.

Morrison came out on top from a close range effort by Innes Murray, before going on to make himself big and put Murray off at the second time of asking, his shot striking the post.

Morrison went on: “It’s been a good start personally in this season but the most important thing is the team.

“The team have been doing well whether that is keeping clean sheets and sneaking three points here and there.

“The most important thing is the team but I’m definitely feeling confident.”

Morrison’s penalty save adds to an impressive start to the season, but also adds to a positive penalty record that the keeper is forging.

He popped up with big saves against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup last season and also made the save against East Fife to grab a bonus point for Alloa in the League Cup.

Morrison cited assistant manager Niall Marshall's research on the opposition as key to his penalty performances, but insisted it is a spur of the moment decision.

“Most of the time, it’s just pick a side,” Morrison added. “Niall does his homework on the penalties and we get reports through.

“That only takes you so far and sometimes you’ve got to take that information and try make a decision.

“I don’t think I made my mind up until the second before he hit it. I was glad to get the penalty save but then the goal right after was disappointing.”