The ‘Loons’ Development side lost 3-2 at home to Stirling Albion in an entertaining SPFL Development League East clash at Station Park last night.
There were however a few bonuses even in defeat for the watching Assistant Manger Ian Campbell, Dick having headed over to Montrose to watch cup opponents Queens Park in action.
Thomas O’Brien and Derek Young got an hour of match time under their belt as over age players while a few of the younger ‘brigade’ must have impressed.
The home side went in at the break 1-0 up and it could have been a more convincing margin at this juncture.
Kerr Hay hit the foot of the post with a fierce drive after having been put clear thanks to a superb through ball from Frankie Devine on the half hour mark, before the opening goal finally arrived five minutes later.
Craig Smith was the scorer, cutting in from the left before unleashing a 16 yard strike that was deflected past Ronan Fallens in the Stirling goal.
Before the break the visitors goal also survived an amazing onslaught where in the space of barely sixty seconds, five net bound efforts were blocked either by the custodian or one of his defenders.
However to be fair the second period turned out to be a different tale.
Eight minutes in and the scores were level, Salim Kouider- Aissa netting with a close range header.
Then with fifteen minutes remaining Moses Olanrewaju took advantage of a total misunderstanding in the home back four to slide home a second Albion counter.
Former Scotland internationalist and second half substitute Craig Beattie then powered home a header in the 85th minute to seemingly put the game beyond the homesters, but to their credit they did not concede that this was the case and netted the goal of the night in the 89th minute to reduce the arrears.
They swept downfield in a four man move which culminated in trialist Adam Braid sliding the ball home from close range.
Alloa is the next ‘port of call’ on Development League action for the ‘Loons’ on Monday night of next week, Berwick Rangers the visitors to Station park on December 1st.
