Queen of South 3 - 1 Alloa Athletic : Russell double inspires Doonhamers

Iain Russell scored twice as Queen of the South beat Alloa 3-1 in their Ladbrokes Championship opener.

Derek Lyle's early goal and Russell's double gave the hosts a convincing 3-0 half-time lead and the Wasps could find no way back despite Iain Flannigan's goal.

Lyle's left-footed finish in the fifth minute opened the scoring, and Geoff Mitchell missed a chance to quickly equalise when he headed wide.

Flannigan twice threatened but Russell rounded off a good move to make it 2-0 just before the half-hour and then beat two defenders before slotting home his second.

The re-signed Michael Chopra set up Flannigan to pull a goal back four minutes into the second period, raising hope of a comeback.

But though Lewis Kidd, Lyle and Russell all missed the target Queens again became the dominant side, as Lyle cleared the crossbar with an audacious effort from his own half and Russell twice could have had his hat-trick.