Dundee 2 - 1 Alloa Athletic: Dundee leave it late to claim victory

Published on Friday 23 July 2010 23:56

DUNDEE'S defence of the Alba Challenge Cup was almost short-lived until their own version of the late show.

The holders had to rely on late goals from substitute pairing Colin McMenamin and Sean Higgins, cancelling out Scott's Walker's opener.

With just a minute remaining, Higgins converted a messy rebound but it mattered little as Gordon Chisholm's side completed their recovery to avoid an embarrassing exit at the hands of their Second Division opponents.

In 74 minutes, Walker's header found the net from Kevin McDonald's cross, making the Wasps look like certainties to be in the next round.

McMenamin's 86th-minute header from Gary Irvine's cross changed things and just three minutes later Higgins chipped in, slamming home the winner after Alloa keeper Steven Robertson's initial point-blank save.

Dundee: Fox, Irvine, Forsyth, Kerr (McHale 80) McKeown, Benedictus, Riley (McMenamin, 70) O'Donnell, Antoine-Curier (Higgins, 70) Harkins, Griffiths.

Alloa: Robertson, Gibson, Brown, Dunlop, Walker, Grant, Scott, McDonald, Prunty (Gormley, 67) Noble (Lister, 67) Smith.

Referee: Euan Norris.