Signings pay off for Alloa

Published on Sunday 31 January 2010 22:48

ALLOA manager Allan Maitland was quick off the mark when the January transfer window opened, and he was rewarded on Saturday when two of his new signings combined to score the goal which saw off Arbroath 1-0 at Recreation Park.

Strikers David Gormley and Bryan Prunty arrived from Ayr United a fortnight ago and last season's Second Division player of the year Prunty found the net after Gormley had picked him out at a free kick.

Alloa have moved into second place, just a point behind leaders Cowdenbeath, and a title challenge is very much on the agenda. They will now keep a keen eye on tomorrow night's re-arranged match between Cowdenbeath and third-placed Stirling Albion.

Prunty has now scored in both the games he has played for Alloa after failing to find the net during a loan spell at Stirling Albion.

Maitland said: "I knew Bryan needed a goal. Last week at Stenhousemuir got him up and running and his confidence is back."

Fourth-placed Brechin City led against Stenhousemuir twice, but the visitors, for whom goalkeeper Chris McCluskey excelled, hit back to secure a 2-2 draw. After a goalless first half, Rory McAllister netted just before the hour mark from close-range. Pat Scullion equalised on 67 minutes when he was handily placed to score after a Kevin Motion corner had struck a post. Mark Docherty fired the Glebe Park men ahead again two minutes later after McCluskey had denied McAllister, but Scott Dalziel ensured a draw when he headed home 12 minutes from time.

In addition to the Cowdenbeath v Stirling match, the games at East Fife and Peterhead were also victims of the weather.