Second Division: Maitland lauds crucial victory as 'lucky' Alloa extend lead

The Wasps were a goal down with two minutes to play when manager Allan Maitland's side showed the desire of a squad that want to win as they scored twice to turn defeat into victory. Maitland said: "We were very lucky but this could prove to be a huge win."

The Warriors took the lead just before the half hour mark when Scott Dalziel headed home.

An Alloa goal never looked like coming until visiting goalkeeper Chris McCluskey made a rare error that allowed David Gormley to equalise from close range.

Bryan Prunty then stepped up to volley home an injury time winner to provide Maitland's men with a five-point cushion.

"Stenhousemuir were the better side and I don't think we created a chance in the first 88 minutes," Maitland admitted. "Chris McCluskey made a mistake which is unlike him and David Gormley showed great instinct to take advantage. Bryan Prunty's goal was just magnificent."

Stenhousemuir manager John Coughlin said: "We were the better team and lost which is hard to take."

Second-placed Cowdenbeath were held to a goalless draw by Dumbarton at Central Park and after scoring 11 times in their previous four games manager Danny Lennon was disappointed by the lack of goals. "John Dempster and Gareth Wardlaw both went close but the ball would not go over the line," he said.

Dumbarton manager Jim Chapman said: "Both teams cancelled each other out and a draw was the right result."

Stirling Albion made it two league wins a row for the first time since September when they triumphed 3-0 at East Fife. On-loan Motherwell defender Jonathan Page headed home either side of half-time before on-loan Hamilton striker Stuart Elliot adding the third. Stirling manager Allan Moore said: "If we win all our games we will win the title."

The Fifers' assistant manager Scott Crabbe said: "We just never turned up and that was unacceptable."

Brechin came from behind to defeat Clyde 3-1 at Glebe Park with the bottom placed side going ahead when Aleks Gramovics slotted home six minutes from half-time. Rory McAllister equalised midway through the second half and the striker put Jim Duffy's side ahead when he converted a penalty after he had been brought down by Neil McGowan, who was dismissed for his troubles.

Charlie King chipped in a third to leave Duffy pleased. "I thought it was going to be one of those days but we came back well," he said.

Clyde manager John McCormack said: "We stopped playing in the second half."

Peter Bruce scored in 13 minutes before Martin Bavidge hit a double as Peterhead beat Arbroath 3-0. Balmoor manager Neale Cooper said: "We were under pressure going into this game but the players handled it well."

Gayfield manager Jim Weir still reckons his side can make up the six-point gap that has left them in the relegation play-off place. "There will not be a towel thrown in by me or my players," he said.