Alloa Athletic 1
Dundee 3
League Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

Dundee boss Jocky Scott insisted Martin Cameron's shock first-minute goal at Recreation Park last night worked in his side's favour.

After Alloa took the lead in the CIS Insurance Cup third round tie, Dundee stormed back to net three times and book their place in Sunday's quarter-final draw.

Willie Falconer was the hero, scoring twice and going close on numerous other occasions, while James Grady also got on the scoresheet.

Scott said, "It was a ridiculous start, but losing the goal gave us the kick up the back- side we needed.

"Once we settled, we dominated the match, and it sets us up nicely for the derby match on Sunday against Dundee United.

"We were always in control, and should have had the game won by half-time.

"You must take all your chances or a team like Alloa will come back as they did when they hit the bar."

Aside boss Terry Christie felt his side's lack of discipline cost the Wasps a League Cup giant-killing of Dundee for the second successive season.

After taking a 35-second lead, Christie's men were torn to shreds and were fortunate to concede only three goals.

Christie said, "We had a real chance, but you've got to be really disciplined and mistakes cost us two avoidable goals, but we faced a sharp Dundee side. It is a learning process and we are a fit part-time side."

Scott made sure his boys were prepared for this tie, especially after their surprise defeat by the Wasps in the same cup at Dens last year.

But Wasps boss Christie had been hopeful as, while in charge at Stenhousemuir, he steered them to victories over Aberdeen, Dundee United and St Johnstone.

He included his son Max last night, but relegated former Dunfermline left-back Rae Sharp to the sub stitutes' bench.

Dundee brought back Willie Miller after injury, with Lee Wilkie suspended after his dismissal against Rangers.

But Dundee were stunned in just 35 seconds when they fell behind to a delightful goal. Midfielder Irvine released Mark Wilson on the left, he found top scorer Cameron perfectly positioned to slip past Steven Tweed, then hit a left- foot shot low past Dens Park keeper Robert Douglas.

But Dundee came to life with Alloa forced back into defence. Steven Boyack's angled shot was knocked clear by Christie, then a snap shot from 18 yards by James Grady was cleared by centre-half Dave Beaton. But Grady missed an even better chance in 19 minutes, shooting wide from 14 yards after Falconer cut the ball back.

Falconer turned from provider to finisher in 20 minutes, pulling his side level. Boyack had fired over an excellent ball from the right and the ex Motherwell man headed in from four yards.

The second division side continued to show great spirit and Scott Bannerman-on loan from Hibs- picked out Cameron, but his looping header dipped over. The Dark Blues stepped up a gear and should have scored again in 28 minutes.

Eddie Annand's eight yard shot was saved by Mark Cairns, but Falconer turned the ball wide from the rebound. Four minutes later, an Annand backheel foxed the home defence, but Boyack drove wide.

The pace quickened and in 37 minutes home defender Derek Clark was booked for a rash challenge on Grady.

Strong pressure was reward ed five minutes before the interval when Dundee took the lead with a strong low shot from Grady following a probing run by Miller from midfield.

Alloa freshened up their attack in the second half with David Menelaws coming on, but fell further behind, Falconer blasting a 25-yard strike past Cairns and high into the net-justifying his selection as man of the match.

Now showing more technique, Dundee had the part timers at full stretch with Falconer denied his hat-trick with a volley off the post, before a Boyack header was swept off the line by Beaton.

When Alloa burst clear, Cameron got to a Mark Donaghy cross, only to see Douglas touch his header on to the bar. The striker tried again, but headed Irvine's cross over.

Dundee were now moving sweetly from midfield, resulting in McSkimming driving into the side netting and Falconer bringing Cairns down low for a one-handed save.

No one could deny Alloa's determination to claw their way back and, when Donaghy brought out a great diving save from Douglas in 80 minutes, it showed why they have a reputation for cup shocks.

Dens boss Scott kept his side fluent right to the end, bringing on Hugh Robertson for Gavin Rae six minutes from time.

Match report written by The Courier