Alloa brought down to earth

ALLOA boss Paul Hartley asked the media last week when he picked up his first Irn-Bru Manager of the Month Award, “Does this mean we are now cursed in our next game?” He found out the answer at Elgin on Saturday when his team crashed 5-0.

Graeme Beveridge and Brian Cameron had put the Borough Briggs men two ahead before the visiting Mark Docherty was sent off for bringing down Cameron right on half-time and Stuart Leslie converted the resulting penalty. Leslie netted a second spot-kick after Alloa goalkeeper Scott Bain had fouled Craig Gunn and Beveridge added a fifth when he slotted past Craig McDowall. Bain was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card for comments made after Leslie’s second success.

Elgin boss Ross Jack said afterwards: “I am really proud of every player after a performance like that.”

Hartley said: “We made in so easy for Elgin but we know we can do so much better than that. We let ourselves and the fans down.”

With Alloa faltering, leaders Annan took the opportunity to extend their lead with a 1-0 success at Berwick Rangers, with defender Scott Gibson shooting home his seventh goal of the season 20 minutes from time.

The Borderers’ frustration got the better of them and striker Darren Gribben was dismissed before the end for a verbal volley at the officials.

Stranraer made it six games in a row without defeat and moved into second place when their home game with Clyde finished goalless. Queen’s Park lost Ricky Little to an early red card but they still managed to see off bottom side East Stirlingshire 3-1. Ian Watt, David Murray and Martin McBride were all on target for the Spiders in the second half, before Ally Love’s consolation.

Montrose defeated managerless Peterhead 2-1 with Martin Boyle’s second-half goal being decisive after the Blue Toon’s Rory McAllister had opened the scoring and Terry Masson had levelled before half time.