JIM GOODWIN dedicated his team's performance to the Alloa fans after last Saturday's victory over East Fife.

The Wasps' supporters have had little to cheer in recent weeks but were treated to a convincing win last weekend as their side ran out 4-1 winners.

The manager was delighted with his players' response to their recent poor run and says they were rewarded for their positive approach to the game.

Goodwin told Advertiser Sport: "I'm over the moon with the way the team responded. I thought it was a terrific performance.

"Going a goal down again was disappointing but we showed great character. That's one thing we have that nobody's been able to question.

"We didn't get the results we required in the first quarter but for commitment and effort, you can't question the lads. I see how hard they work on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I was just delighted, particularly for the home fans.

"They've not been happy of late so I was just happy we could go out and put on a performance for them.

"We spoke during the week about not being anxious or uptight, and we set out a very attacking team so we could play the way we think the game should be played.

"It would have been very easy to go 4-5-1 but we didn't. We took the game to East Fife and got our just rewards."

Goodwin was forced to play several players out of position as an injury crisis continued to hold a vice-like grip over his squad, but he admitted that some regulars may struggle to regain their places in the side, such was the level of performance from those standing in.

He said: "When you've got good players, you can ask them to play anywhere and they'll do a job for you. They were exceptional, and even if a couple of my centre-halves decide to drag themselves off the treatment table they might struggle to get back in, because why would I change it after that?

"It's exactly what we've been asking for for weeks. We looked solid, whereas in weeks gone by we have looked very vulnerable.

"Even when we went a goal down I wasn't worried because I always felt we would get back into the game. Our first goal in particular was excellent. I think you'd struggle to find a better goal than that in terms of build-up."

The manager is determined to look ahead after a poor first quarter of the season, and insisted that his side's poor run is now behind them.

Goodwin added: "We've had our bad spell, and that's it done now. Every manager will sit down at the end of every quarter and analyse the numbers.

"Our points return wasn't good enough but I'm delighted that we've been able to get three points towards our target.

"If we play like that more often than not, then we will be absolutely fine. We're a very positive group and we believe there's still more to come.

"We want to be competing at the right end of the table, and there's still a lot of football to be played."