This wasn’t so much of an Alloa win, it was more that Montrose lost because it was a defensive error that made the difference, and it was the sort of game which was the difference between the two sides.

Montrose made a few changes with youngsters Ross Matthews in goal and Adam Mackinnon in midfield otherwise it was a re-juggle of the same squad. Referee was Peter Stuart.

Alloa were quick to attack but the cross from the right was intercepted and a corner was set up for big Sammon of the Wasps as keeper Matthews was edged out of it but he did get to the ball and cleared up at the second attempt. From his quick clearance it went out to Webster on the right but his cross was also intercepted for a corner which came to nothing. Lyons was next to attack also down the right but his cross across the box had no takers. The first and only Montrose yellow card was handed out to Webster on 15 minutes very harshly as the lad cut right across Webby’s path. The free-kick was wasted by Alloa.

Into the 20^th minute and another 3 corners for Montrose all of which came to nothing but from one a Lyons cross was cut back too far and was swept away downfield. Coulson for Alloa was then yellow carded for simulation then McAllister for Montrose had a glancing header go just wide from another Mo corner. Coming up to half-time and both sides had further corners with Sammon hooking it wide for Alloa and Lyons crossing again for Montrose with keeper Hogarth collecting cleanly. Scoreless at the interval and 50/50 in terms of possession but Montrose had much the more in the way of corners.

The second half saw the Wasps making three changes with Millar, Strachan and Sammon off and replaced by King, Donnelly and Robertson. It was to be a move that proved productive for Alloa as it gave them more pace up top and it led to the only goal of the game. It was however a Montrose defensive error which should have been cleared but Webster appeared to be shielding the ball out of play only to be dispossessed on the goal line. Donnelly came away with the ball close in and cut it back to Adam King who had the easy job of hammering it past Matthews who had no chance – 1-0 to Alloa after 52 minutes.

All to do now for Montrose and they certainly had a lot of possession and their count in corners told that story, 10 for Montrose and only 1 for Alloa, but it is what is done with them which counts. The first Montrose change came on 65 minutes when Webster was replaced by Craig Brown as Montrose had their best chance of an equaliser when Dillon connected with a corner and it went just wide of the far post as Johnston tried to hook it back goalwards but didn’t get it right. Alloa were certainly capable of scoring a second with quick attacking play but it was Montrose who looked more of a threat except where it mattered most, in the vital area. Two more Mo changes on 75 minutes with Watson and Machado on for McAllister and Mackinnon then Alloa created another good chance quickly down the right but too quick for support as their cross found no takers. Another change by the Wasps on 81 minutes as Scougall was replaced by Durnan as the clock was winding down with the Mo desperately trying to find an equaliser. A free-kick to Montrose 30 yards out was going to be taken quickly but Stanger kicked it away and was yellow carded for his efforts. That was in stoppage time and although Lyons went close with a header it was to no avail as the game was decided by one simple defensive error – 1-0 to Alloa.

On balance it was a 50/50 game but with a vastly better corner count and more possession it really should have resulted in a different scoreline, but it’s goals that count and something which Manager Petrie and Assistant Campbell will no doubt be working on before next week.

Report by Steve Doyle

Highlights can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/FzOLniAXQe4