Alloa Athletic 0 Gretna 3

Last updated : 28 January 2006 By Footymad Previewer

It was bottom versus top when Alloa met Gretna at Recreation Park. Alloa boss Allan Maitland introduced two new signings to his side to try and get them back to winning ways.

In the opening minute Gretna wasted a great chance when Derek Townsley outjumped the Alloa defence but his header went narrowly over the bar.

Alloa hit back and in the eighth minute Graeme Brown beat the offside trap to connect with a Hamilton pass, but with only the keeper to beat he couldn't finish and Alan Main cleared.

Alloa came close again on 13 minutes when the Gretna keeper pulled off an outstanding save from a James Stevenson shot.

Gretna settled and their class showed when they took the lead in the 28th minute. Townsley slotted home a David Graham inch-perfect cross, giving Alloa keeper Allan Creer no chance with his close-range shot.

Gretna doubled their lead in the 56th minute from the penalty spot. They were awarded the spot-kick when the referee judged Alloa's new signing Steve Hamilton to have fouled Graham and Ryan McGuffie stepped up to fire the ball home.

Alloa were reduced to 10 men after 69 minutes when John Grant, making his debut, was shown a straight red for a foul on Steve Tosh.

Gretna sealed the game on 81 minutes when Gavin Skelton was on hand to fire home from 12 yards, killing off any Alloa hopes of a fight-back.