Omens good for Maitland’s Alloa side

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ALLOA emerged the happier from a hard-fought contest – earning a replay at their own ground a week tomorrow which manager Allan Maitland hopes will result in them clinching a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

And the Wasps gaffer sees hopeful omens. Last season, Alloa overcame an in-form Raith Rovers side.

Maitland said: “At this stage last season we faced Raith, who were on a similar run to Cowdenbeath, and we beat them in a replay. So we can be confident about progressing.

“We worked really hard against the best team in the Second Division, according to the league table, so to earn a replay is a decent return for us.

“We can now look forward to meeting them at Recreation Park – by which time we could have a couple of key players back to full fitness."

The Wasps came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Chris Townsley fired in a header from an Andy Scott corner. David Hay was beaten, but Craig Winter popped up on the goal line to clear.

Cowdenbeath hit back after the interval and only two fine saves from David Crawford kept the scoresheet blank.

He clawed away a 30-yard strike from Gareth Wardlaw and then foiled the home striker again, diving to fingertip away his 18-yard low drive.

But then in the closing minutes Maitland's men came close to snatching victory when Scott raced in to the box, only to prod his shot wide from close range and the game stayed scoreless.