ANDY GRAHAM felt a point was a fair result as Alloa crept past Cove at the top of the table with a draw against Queen of the South.

Alloa’s well worked goal was finished off by Luke Rankin but cancelled out by a world-class strike from Josh Walker for the hosts.

The Wasps were the side looking to take three points the most, however, and despite creating chances, were unable to find the goal to put them three clear at the top.

Graham made one change from last week’s 5-0 thumping over Annan, with Calum Waters returning in place of Kane Thomson.

Alloa’s bench was boosted, with Tyrece McDonnell making his comeback from suspension and Steven Hetherington an option after being unwell the week before.

The bench was so stacked that Graham could afford to not put himself on it, a rarity not seen since last season.

Queens certainly had the better of the opening chances, with Pharell Willis going through before David McKay made the block.

McKay would then have an effort up the other end, with a header just wide in what was an opportunity to score against his old side.

Morrison tipped an effort over the bar from Reece Lyon, while Queens suffered a setback as they were forced into replacing Willis with a hamstring injury.

Hamstring injuries would form the story of the hosts’ half, with no less than three players forced off with injury.

Luke Donnelly hoped to continue his electrifying form from last week and, while he didn’t get on the scoresheet this week, his footwork was exemplary.

Alloa found the breakthrough as Donnelly played a brilliant pass through to Steven Buchanan, the winger squaring it to Rankin who swept it home with ease.

Alloa looked on the ascendancy from there on, with the side hopeful of being able to kill the game off.

Queens responded well, with a superb strike from Walker giving Morrison no chance of stopping a brilliant equaliser.

“It probably was [a fair result]”, Graham told Advertiser Sport. “I’m disappointed because at 1-0, we had the opportunity to put them under a bit more pressure than we did.

“Fair play to Queens, they go and change their shape and they go and score very quickly and we don’t have time to react to that.

“That was disappointing but overall I think a draw was a fair result, there was chances at both ends.

“The second half really opened up and either team could argue they could have won it but I was delighted with the application and effort.

“The boys gave it everything they’ve got and on another day and more quality in the final third, we could’ve won the game.

“Queens could say the same so I’m not grumbling, I just want to win games of football and the boys are the same.

“What pleases me the most is that you go in at the end of the game and they’re disappointed, they understand the importance of trying to get three points.

“It’s important that you don’t lose games as well so we’ll take the point and move on.”

Alloa were the better side in the second half following the hosts’ goal, knocking the ball around well and forcing the Doonhamers’ back.

Queens did have an opportunity to get ahead as Oscar McIntyre’s delivery is headed over Morrison by Leighton McIntosh.

The ball looked to be rolling off the line before McKay pulled off a quick-thinking goal line clearance to keep things level in Dumfries.

A pivotal moment in the game, as Alloa began to pile on the pressure looking for a winner.

Cameron O’Donnell had an opportunity of his own after a sublime delivery from Scott Taggart, but his shot fizzled wide, while McDonnell had a last-ditch effort for Alloa over the bar.

Graham continued: “Dave’s done really well to hook it off the line and he’s picked up a really good position so I’m delighted for him.

“There’s moments where they defend really well or you’re looking at PJ making a save.

“The goal that Queens score, it’s a really good finish, I’m not sure if it takes a nick off Scougall, but it’s a really good finish.

“Nothing we could do about that so no complaints there, but going forward we could have really killed the game off at 1-0.

“That’s when we were really in control of the game, the crowd were getting a wee bit restless and we were looking to bury it.

“Credit Queen of the South and Peter Murphy for changing it at that point, they go and score a goal right after it.

“Goals change momentum and that’s exactly what happened, they got a foothold in it but we had opportunities as well.

“A point is a fair result.”

Next up for Alloa is a trip to East End Park for their SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final showdown with Championship strugglers Dunfermline Athletic.

The Pars sit second bottom of Scotland’s second tier, but have the home advantage and the chance to make a semi-final against either Livingston or Greenock Morton.