Alloa Athletic 3 : 0 Dunfermline - Wasps sting Pars

Posted Thursday, May 16, 2013 by PA

Alloa are within touching distance of Irn-Bru First Division football after dispatching Dunfermline 3-0 in tonight's play-off final first leg.

Jonathan Tiffoney and Calum Elliot gave the hosts a 2-0 advantage at the break and a dominant second period was capped by Kevin Moon shortly after Elliot missed a penalty.

Dunfermline, who finished ninth in the First Division due to a 15-point deduction for entering administration, turned a 3-1 deficit into a 7-4 aggregate triumph after extra time during their action-packed semi-final against Forfar and they require similar heroics to avoid relegation.

Despite enjoying long periods of possession during the first period, Dunfermline failed to significantly trouble Alloa goalkeeper Scott Bain and the hosts went ahead following an error by his opposite number Michal Hrivnak.

Tiffoney edged forward before letting fly with a speculative effort 30 yards from goal that Hrivnak plunged unconvincingly in pursuit of, limply palming the full-back's strike on its way into the net.

Dunfermline retained a set-piece threat, Stephen Husband seeing an effort blocked, but Alloa doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Elliot collected Ryan McCord's pass at the end of a superb counter-attack to nonchalantly lift a first-time shot into the top corner.

Paul Hartley's men understandably started the second half with their tails up, Hrivnak forced to hold efforts from Elliot and Kevin Cawley.

Dunfermline weathered persistent pressure to avoid further damage before collapsing in the closing minutes.

Elliot was fouled in the area by John Potter before watching Hrivnak save brilliantly from his spot kick, but his blushes were spared when winger Moon clinically side-footed home in added time.