Alloa 2-1 Berwick

Apr 27 2008 Chris Gallagher At Recreation Park

ALLOA boss Allen Maitland watched his side sneak into the play-offs then claimed they have no chance of getting promoted. Master of mind games Maitland turned the heat up on John Brown's Clyde squad by stating his side have already had a successful season just by getting this far.

With a play-off clash against Clyde now guaranteed the wily Wasps boss said: "We can't possibly win that game. It is absolutely perfect for them as they have full-time players and we are just part-timers.

"It's a fantastic achievement for us to get this far and now we'll just enjoy the Clyde game as we have absolutely nothing to lose."

In fairness to Maitland he was speaking after his side had been outplayed by an already-relegated team with the worst defensive record in British league football.

But the Alloa boss refused to lay into his men following their shaky performance.

He said: "We were really poor. We looked nervous and were fortunate to get a winner.

"But we had many players who were exhausted so I won't criticise them. They've done brilliantly this season."

Alloa knew they needed a win to keep Peterhead and Brechin at bay in the race for the play-offs. And they couldn't have picked better opposition than Berwick who've only won once at Recreation Park in the past 10 years.

It took the Wasps just 11 minutes to make the breakthrough with Scott Agnew curling a 20-yard effort into the top corner.

It was the 100th league goal Berwick had conceded this season and it should have been 101 on the half hour mark but Graeme Brown headed Derek Fleming's cross wide from three yards out.

Another chance was spurned seconds later when Kyle MacAulay set up Steven McKeown who mishit his effort from 10 yards.

Berwick were still battling for every ball and Chris Townsley did well to stop a close-range header from Blair Tolmie creeping in.

The home side had another escape in 36 minutes when David McClune handled in the box to take the ball away from the lurking Scott Gemmill but the ref waved play on.

However Berwick got the reward for their efforts in 54 minutes. David Greenhill fired in a shot that Raymond Jellema could only parry and Iain Thomson slotted home.

Maitland wasted no time reacting to the goal and sent on Andy Ferguson and Andy Scott for Brown Ferguson and Brown in 55 minutes.

The switch paid immediate dividends as Scott crossed for Ferguson to head in with his first touch two minutes later.

Berwick hit back and had the ball in the net again in 67 minutes but Thomson had clearly fouled Jellema.

Jellema was looking shaky and in 80 minutes his hasty clearance hit off Gemmill before flying inches wide.

Berwick caretaker boss Jimmy Crease was full of praise for his side's display.

He said: "We were superb.

These players are capable of coming back up again as champions next season."

HERO

SUBSTITUTE Andy Ferguson earned a play-off spot for Alloa and spared the blushes of the woeful Wasps. His third goal in three games from the bench rescued a side which must quickly improve if they are to have any hope of promotion.

VILLAIN

ON his return to Recreation Park former Alloa midfielder Stuart Callaghan gave the home fans nightmares with his classy display. The ex-Wasps ace was public enemy No.1 as he inspired Berwick to push his old side all the way.