ALLOA Athletic snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after coming from behind to beat Queens Park at Hampden. 

The feisty league 1 clash came alive after the interval when a penalty each had the match at stalemate before Iain Flannigan scored a late winner for Jack Ross’ side to send them back to the top of League 1. 

The home side started the game the better and enjoyed some early pressure in the opening exchanges. An early burst forward saw Seans Burns get past two players and pick out Scott Gibson on the left. The wicked cross flashed across goal with no takers and just beyond the far post. 

Alloa responded well and created their first opening of the match soon after. 

A clever cross-field pass by Jordan Kirkpatrick found Iain Flannigan in space on the left, he beat his marker and then laid the ball back for Calum Waters to cross. Jon Robertson met it with the header at the back post, but he couldn’t keep it down. 

A well worked corner on 18 minutes created a decent chance for the Wasps to break the deadlock. Waters spotted the run of Greig Spence to the near post, but the striker could only fire his shot over the top. 

Alloa were beginning to get on top as the game headed toward the half hour mark. A brilliant flowing passing move between Jim Goodwin, Robertson and Flannigan eventually saw the ball fall for Waters to have a shot from range, but the full back dragged his shot wide. 

Gus McPherson’s side began to push back on 31 minutes and forced a corner after some sustained pressure. Burns’ whipped cross was aimed toward John Carter, but Ben Gordon was alert to mop up the danger. 

Another corner for the hosts followed shortly after and this time Burns picked out Gibson at the back post, but the defender could only head over under no pressure. 

Alloa then passed up a guilt-edged chance to grab the lead before the interval on 38 minutes. 

Robertson’s pass saw Spence break the offside trap to race through on the goalkeeper, but somehow curled his shot beyond both the keeper and the far post. 

The Wasps had the final chance of the half right on the half time whistle as Taggart and Robertson combine to play Kevin Cawley in on goal, but the shot was straight at the keeper. 

After the restart, the second period could not have began in any more dramatic fashion as Alloa screamed for a penalty. 

The ball was knocked high into the air and as Adam Cummings went to challenge for it with Kirkpatrick, the ball struck the Queens defender on the arm, but the referee waved away the claims. 

As fate would have it, just moments later, the home side were awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances. Burns caused problems on the left to cross into Alloa box, and as the visitors tried to clear the ball, Anton Brady was tripped on the edge on the area by Kevin Cawley, but the referee had no hesitation and pointed straight at the spot. Ross Millen stepped up and made no mistake as he sent Neil Parry the wrong way to give the hosts a shock lead. 

Alloa almost responded immediately as Flannigan’s corner was flicked on by Waters into the path of substitute Jamie Longworth, but his overhead kick was straight at keeper. 

Referee Barry Cook then seemed to lose control of the match as tempers flared and the visitors frustration started to show. Flannigan and Miller were both booked for their part in a six man skirmish. 

Alloa regained their focus on 74 minutes and Robertson did well to win a free kick in a dangerous area which allowed them to pin the hosts in with a series of set plays.  

Waters free kick was headed goal ward by Ben Gordon, but McGeever headed behind for the corner. 

Longworth’s header from the resultant header was cleared for another corner straight away and then Goodwin went close, but again Queens held firm. 

The Wasps’ persistence paid off on 79 minutes when they were awarded a penalty of their own. Spence burst onto a brilliant through pass and was upended from behind as he entered the box. 

Spence dusted himself down and sent the keeper the wrong way to convert the penalty and slot his 9th goal of the season. 

Queen’s Park almost regained the lead on 84 minutes. Paul Woods’ cross was met by John Carter at the back post, but as his header looped over Parry, Ben Gordon got back to clear off the line to save the day. 

The Wasps then snatched all three points with a superb counter attack on 86 minutes. Goodwin picked out the run of Spence in behind the home defence. He burst forward and found for substitute Luke Donnelly, he in turn played Flannigan in on goal and the midfielder made no mistake to slot past  the keeper with a cool finish. 

Gus McPherson’s side pushed forward in the closing stages, but the Wasps held firm for all three points to go back joint-top of League 1 alongside rivals Livingston. 

Jack Ross and his men now have the daunting task of a trip to face Glasgow Celtic in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup on Wednesday evening. 

Advertiser man of the match: Iain Flannigan