PARS 2 Alloa 2
(Alloa win 5-4 on penalties)

IT was penalty shoot-out sorrow for the Pars as they lost to Alloa in the IRN-Bru Cup.

After Louis Longridge and Alan Trouten scored braces for their respective sides the game went to penalties.

Neil Parry was the hero for the Wasps as he denied Aidan Connolly's left-footed effort at East End Park.

The visitors started the brightest and a free-flowing move was unlucky not to be finished off with a flick from Trouten after neat work down the right by Kevin Cawley and the overlapping delivery from Reis Peggie.

It was an early warning sign that wasn't acknowledged as the Pars fell behind on 8 minutes.

John Robertson capitalised on a loose clearance and sent a low ball into the penalty area. Trouten swivelled and fired into the back of the net courtesy of a deflection.

Robinson had no chance with the midfielder's strike but was able to theatrically deny Cawley on 15 minutes with the Wasps' number seven letting fly from the edge of the area.

Allan Johnston's men had threatened little in the opening half an hour but drew themselves back level through the inspired Longridge.

The winger turned his man 22 yards from goal and his drilled strike from range found the back of the net. Neil Parry stood no chance.

The Alloa goalkeeper would then produce a great save high to his left as Andy Ryan rose in the box. His header was destined for the top corner but Parry's fingertips kept the ball out with the striker applauding Parry for his efforts.

Alloa defended well to keep the scores level at half-time but they fell immediately behind after the restart.

Faissal El Bakhtaoui sent Longridge in the clear and with just the keeper to beat, he clipped the ball over Parry and against the post.

The ball spun back into the path of Longridge but he was caught by the outstretched leg of Liam Dick.

Referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot and after getting back to his feet, Longridge dusted himself down and sent Parry the wrong way from the spot.

Parry would fair better from an Andy Ryan drive minutes later, as the stopper thwarted the striker with a smart save. Aidan Connolly's rebound effort was blocked.

The home support were on their feet on 65 minutes in appreciation for Malaury Martin's contribution in midfield and for the arrival off the bench for the returning Tom Beadling.

However, it was the away fans who were next on their feet as they brought the game all-square.

Alloa had failed to threaten since midway through the first-half but produced a surprise leveller thanks to Trouten once again.

The Pars were punished as Danny Devine allowed a long ball to go over his head with Dario Zannatta racing clear to the byline.

His cutback along the goal-line was turned home off the underside of the crossbar by Trouten as Goodwin's men pegged back their hosts.

Neither side could force a winner before full-time - El Bakhtaoui missed a free header with minutes remaining - as the game went to penalties.

Dunfermline beat Boreham Wood on penalties earlier in the tournament, while Alloa had defeat Dundee United twice already from the spot in cup competitions.

Nine players found the net before Aidan Connolly approached the Norrie McCathie stand for his spot-kick.

After Alloa fired home five, the pressure was on the midfielder to keep the shoot-out alive.

He struck his effort to Parry's left but his old Queen's Park teammate was equal to it as the Pars crashed out of the Irn-Bru Cup in the last 16.

Pars: Robinson, Craigen, Ashcroft, Devine, J.Longridge, L.Longridge, Martin (Beadling 65), Vincent, Connolly, Ryan (Hippolyte 67), El Bakhtaoui.

Subs not used: Gill, Morrison, Thomson, McCann, Muirhead.
Booked: Robinson, Martin, Hippolyte

Alloa: Parry, Taggart, Graham, Dick, Peggie, Cawley, Flannigan, Robertson, Zanatta, Trouten, Shields (Brown 65) Subs not used: Henry, Spence, Karadachki, Aloulou.

Referee: Nick Walsh

Attendance: 1,469