Scorers: Alloa Athletic – Trouten (27), Buchanan (53), O’Donnell (87); Stranraer – Stirling (42)
ANDY STIRLING netted a sublime equaliser for Stranraer, but two second half goals saw Alloa take the win at a rainy Recreation Park.
The hosts had threatened with a number of early chances, but took the lead just before the half hour mark as former Blues loanee Kevin Cawley’s long range strike was parried by Stranraer keeper Greg Fleming.
Familiar frontman Alan Trouten pounced on the rebound to put the Wasps in front.
Ruari Paton replaced the injured Thomas Orr towards the end of the first half, and having scored a brace three days earlier at East Kilbride, the Blues frontman looked confident on his introduction.
His header from a Sean Burns corner was cleared off the line, but Stranraer would find an equaliser just before the interval.
Darryl Duffy’s sliding interception found Stirling in an advanced position, the former Alloa man racing forward to curl a delightful strike past home keeper Neil Parry and into the corner of the net.
As both sides made wholesale changes, the second half was a ragged affair, with the Wasps proving more clinical in front of goal.
For the second time, Fleming made a save but had no chance with the rebound, as Adam Brown’s strike fell into the path of Trouten, whose ball across goal was tucked home by fellow veteran Alloa striker Liam Buchanan.
Fleming did well to turn away the lively Brown’s next effort, with Blues scorer Stirling whipping a shot over the bar at the other end.
That was as close as Stranraer would come to a second equaliser, with penalty appeals for a shove on Paton in the box turned down by the referee.
Instead, it would be Alloa who scored the final goal of the evening.
With the Blues defence appealing for offside, Liam Evans’ through ball found Cameron O’Donnell in acres of space to slot home the hosts’ third.
Despite the result, Stranraer boss Stevie Farrell was pleased with his side’s competitive showing against Championship opposition.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to Cumnock on Saturday afternoon, with a 2pm kickoff.
