ANDY GRAHAM said a lack of creativity and quality in the final third cost Alloa against Inverness, as ex-wasp Charlie Gilmour came back to haunt his former side.

Alloa were up against their third full time team in the space of seven days on Saturday, making the way to the far north to face Caley Thistle.

While Inverness sat at the bottom of the table due to entering administration, it would be the hosts that earned three points on the day.

Two changes were made by Andy Graham following Tuesday’s SPFL Trust Trophy exit to Dunfermline – PJ Morrison returning in goal and Calum Waters in at left back after his cup suspension.

Inverness showed from the first whistle that their position in the league was a false one, Adam MacKinnon’s early effort going wide.

PJ Morrison had a strong first half, producing quick reflexes to deny Billy Mckay’s close range header and made himself large to snuff out Mckay again when he got in behind Alloa’s defence.

The Wasps settled into the game as the half drew to a close and began to knock the ball out much better.

A wonderful team move unfortunately couldn’t lead to a goal, Scott Taggart’s looping cross finds Rankin at the back post but the youngster can’t make a clean connection to open the scoring.

“I’m really disappointed with the result,” Graham said. “I think you need to put things in perspective as well.

“Credit to Inverness, they’re stronger than when they came to our place earlier on in the season.

“They’ve got Charlie Gilmour back, he goes and scores the goal today but they’re a good side.

“They played well and I was really disappointed in our performance first half especially, it was sub-standard and we’re better than that.”

Alloa came out improved into the second half, looking to test Musa Dibaga more than they had in the first.

The Wasps came inches from earning a reward for their efforts – Luke Donnelly’s header striking the post following a great delivery from Cameron O’Donnell.

The home fans were insisting they had a penalty claim as Morrison rushed out his goal to clear the danger, catching Luis Longstaff on the way.

The referee rightfully sees nothing in it and the score remains goalless. It was then Inverness’ turn to hit the post, Paul Allan is on the rebound but his effort is just wide of the other post.

Inverness would take the lead not long after as former Wasp Charlie Gilmour finding himself with space around him to collect a cutback from Mackinnon and slot past Morrison.

Alloa piled on the pressure late into the second half as they searched for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way to break through as Gilmour’s goal decided the tie.

“Second half was much more an even game,” Graham continued. “We had the opportunity and hit the post, they hit the post.

“If it ended up a draw, there wouldn’t have been too many complaints from both sets of supporters.

“Inverness have taken their opportunities, it’s a poor goal from our perspectives, they shouldn’t have that much time so close to the goal at that point.

“It’s disappointing from our point of view but we lacked that wee bit of creativity and quality in the final third today.

“Usually that’s something we do have a lot of and we didn’t, we got into lots of good positions but it was the final thing, pass, shot but that’s the hardest part of the game.

“It’s the bit that I know the group are much better at so it’s disappointing with the result but it’s about putting it into perspective and making sure we go and set things right next week.”

The defeat to Inverness caps off a tough seven days for Alloa, following a 1-1 draw with Queen of the South last Saturday evening and the 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Alloa have endured hours of travelling from one end of the country to the other and went up against three full-time teams in doing so.

“It’s not an excuse,” Graham added. “They’re fit enough and good enough and it wasn’t fitness that let them down today, it was quality.

“You love playing games as a player but I’m certainly not one to go looking for excuses, not at all.

“We’ve got to do a wee bit better and quality has to be a wee bit better than it was today.

“This league is just so competitive and if you’re a wee bit off it, you lose games like we did today.”

Next up for Alloa is the first of a double-header against Dumbarton, the Sons will visit the Recs next Saturday.

Alloa then make the trip to East Dunbartonshire for their Scottish Cup tie the following week.