Alloa 2-1 Berwick

Jan 13 2008 John Hughes Reports

BERWICK boss Michael Renwick is still hopeful his rock-bottom side can beat the drop despite seeing them lose more ground with defeat at Alloa.

Graeme Brown and Dougie Wilson fired the goals as Wasps ended a four-game losing streak while Chris Anderson hit a late consolation for the visitors.

The result leaves Rangers eight points adrift of Ayr but despite the Somerset side having a game in hand Renwick has hope.

He said: "The damage was done with the bad start to the season but since I've come in I've seen steady improvements.

"I'm not going to set any point targets but I've told the boys to get as many wins as they can and see where it takes us.

"I have nine injured at the minute and if I can add strength and depth to the squad we can turn it round and stay up."

Wasps started the match like a side with something to prove and pressed Berwick back with Scott Agnew and Brown going close in the opening five minutes.

Gers created their first chance in 10 minutes but Jordan Smith couldn't find the target with his header following great work by Brian Fairbairn.

Alloa were dominant and should have scored midway through the half. David McClune delivered into the box but Agnew fluffed his shot from two yards and the ball sailed harmlessly over.

The opener arrived after 38 minutes as Wilson fired in a delightful ball for Brown to nod home.

The home side could have extended their lead before the break but Wilson and Chris Townsley couldn't find a way past Chris Flockhart.

Berwick emerged for the second half like a different side and enjoyed a 15-minute spell of intense pressure.

Ex-Alloa ace Lewis Coult rounded keeper Raymond Jellema seconds after the restart but after doing the hard work his weak effort only found the side netting.

The home side eventually grabbed the vital second 12 minutes from time as the ball broke to Wilson 13 yards out and he made no mistake with a crashing finish.

The game looked over but both keepers pulled off saves in the dying minutes before Anderson netted for Gers in injury time from close range.

Allan Maitland, Alloa boss, said: "We didn't play well but there was enough there for a welcome win.

"It was vital to get our first victory of the new year.

"I'll have a few players back from injury next week but it's unlikely I'll have any more signings before then."