UNITED UNABLE TO SECURE THE THREE POINTS AT ALLOA

United managed to leave Alloa with a share of the points battling to a 1-1 draw. Despite being up against it Watson headed United into the lead only for Flannigan to give the hosts a deserved point with a cracking free kick.

By Gareth Scott

Following two straight league wins, Csaba Laszlo named the same starting eleven that lined up against Partick Thistle. 

First Half 

The home started the game very brightly and twice in the opening minutes had a chance to open the scoring. Firstly Zanatta intercepted a short-headed backpass from Frans but fortunately for United Rakovan was alert and saved his attempted lob. Shortly after Hastie took advantage of a Murdoch mistake but Watson was on hand to block his shot. United had to wait until the 24th minute for their first effort which was a long-range shot from Frans that failed to trouble the keeper. On the half-hour mark, United had a great chance to take the lead. Robson won the corner on the left which was taken by Aird. His cross found Watson but last weekend's two-goal hero this time headed just wide of target. Two minutes later the hosts had an even better opportunity. The prolific Trouten beat the offside trap and with only the keeper to beat he flicked his shot wide of the far post. As the half neared its end Rakovan made two good saves from Zanatta and Cawley and then on the stroke of half-time a Loemba cross just missed Curran and with Aird lurking at the back post the Alloa defence cleared.

Second Half 

It was the visitors who started the second half better and straight away Curran was played through but his shot was well saved by Parry. Alloa then began to come back into the game and with an hour gone, they went very close. Following a Watson clearance, the ball came to Hastie and his cross picked out Graham who headed inches wide. Minutes later Alloa went again went close when a low shot from Hastie. The hosts were really starting to dominate and again Hastie went close when he flicked a shot just wide. The ball then fell kindly for Graham at the edge of the United box and he volleyed just wide. With 20 minutes left United took the lead against the run of play. Loemba won a corner on the left and once again Aird found Watson who this time made no mistake. United then had the ball in the net but Safranko's through ball caught Loemba in an offside position. Despite being a goal down the hosts continued to press. They won a free kick and from distance Rakovan fingertipped a Flannigan free-kick against the bar. United then conceded another free-kick and from 25 yards Flannigan this time scored with a fantastic strike giving Rakovan no chance. Both sides battled for a winner and twice United went close with Safranko from close range and then Loemba from distance. Right at the end the ball dropped in the box at the feet of Watson but the home defence stood firm.

Summing Up - United will be the happier of the sides with the point as the home side looked dangerous throughout. In a league where results are very tough to call this might turn out to be a good point.

Man of the match - For his goal and some decent defending Paul Watson was United's best player on a disappointing afternoon.

Teams:
Alloa: Parry, Taggart, Dick, Roscoe, Graham, Hetherington, Flannigan, Cawley (Brown 74), Trouten (Burt 67), Hastie, Zanatta (Shields 85)

Subs: Robertson Peggie, Spence, Henry

United: Rakovan, Murdoch, Frans, Barton, Curran (Booth 79), Safranko, Robson, Rabitsch (Glass 66), Aird (McMullan 86), Watson, Loemba

Subs: Smith, Wardrop, Edjenguele, Siegriest

Referee: Alan Muir

Attendance: 1616