JIM GOODWIN heralded super sub Jordan Kirkpatrick for stepping off the bench to claim all three points for the Wasps in Dumfries.

The midfielder got on the end of an inviting cross from Dario Zanatta to nod the ball home deep into injury time and seal the smash-and-grab win.

It was the 26-year-old’s first strike since his return for a third spell in the Wee County and many will be hoping the goal can help kick start his season.

For his boss, who admitted Alloa had been second best to Queen of the South, the goal was reward for Kirkpatrick’s brilliant attitude.

Goodwin said: “Jordan popped up with a massive goal from our point of view. He does what you hope all substitutes do and make a positive impact.

“Kirky is one who has been unlucky to be out of the side and has been very disappointed to not be in the starting 11.

“But, his attitude is spot on and he goes on there and manages to get the winner.”

Alloa had taken the lead when Andy Graham got on the end of Iain Flannigan’s corner and side footed the ball past Alan Martin midway through the first half.

However, Queen of the South came roaring out of the blocks in the second and dominated most of the half. Kyle Jacobs popped up to equalise and Stephen Dobbie had a goal chalked off for offside as the hosts searched for the winner.

But, Kirkpatrick popped up at the back post in the 93rd minute to secure Alloa’s first win in Dumfries for 16 years.

The win was also Jim Goodwin’s 50th at the club in just 119 games in charge.

Goodwin continued: “If ever there was a game of two halves. We were the better team in the first half and deserving of our lead at half time.

“But full credit to Gary Naismith. He changed the shape and they had us pinned back for the majority of the second half. It was very much backs to the wall.

“I must give great credit to the back four and my goalkeeper for managing to avoid a second goal.

“We just stayed in the game and with five minutes to go I would have been delighted with a point.”

The win ended a five-game losing streak for Alloa, their worst of the season so far, and lifted them back off the foot of the Championship table.

And Goodwin was full of praise for the mindset shown by his players in securing the vital three points.

He added: “I think Saturday was more about the resilience and the togetherness of the group.

"When, Queen of the South equalised, it would have been very easy for us, who have been on a poor run, to capitulate.

“It just shows you the mindset and the characters that we have in there.

“As always, people had written us off after going four league games without a win. I mentioned to the boys that it was only four weeks ago that everybody was talking us up as we had gone six unbeaten.

“We had a wee dip in form, there’s no doubt about it. We’re just delighted that with ten games to go we are still in it. That’s massive for me and massive for the players.”

Meanwhile, the manager confirmed Connor Shields’ injury was not as bad as first feared and he would return to training this week.