Stenhousemuir 2 - 3 Alloa: Late goals fail to prevent losing return for Irons

Published on Sunday 2 January 2011 18:15

Stenhousemuir 2 Anderson 89; Thom 90 Alloa 3 Noble 12; McGowan 15; Gormley 72

David Irons' return to management ended in disappointment, as his Stenhousemuir charges went down at home to Alloa, although he will have been pleased with the spirit shown.

The Wasps netted twice in the opening quarter of an hour, with a third added in the second half before a late revival from the home side ran out of time.

Alloa took the lead on 12 minutes, when striker Stuart Noble reached a Michael McGowan through ball quicker than Ally Brown. Noble dealt easily with the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty goal.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when McGowan cut in from the left wing and fired in a low drive from the edge of the box that beat Brown.

Stenhousemuir tried to battle back at the start of the second half. However, the visiting rearguard was well served at that time by Scott Walker and keeper Stephen Robertson and chances were few and far between.

Substitute David Gormley scored a fine solo goal with 18 minutes left to extend Alloa's lead when he dribbled past a couple of defenders and finished with a fierce drive that Brown could only help into the net at his near post.

Grant Anderson restored some home pride when he volleyed home from the right hand side of the box after Walker had headed clear. A second goal came when Stevie Murray curled in a corner from the right and defender Gary Thom rose to head in from six yards out.