GOOD things come to those who wait. Alloa hadn’t won a game since December 19. They had waited 49 days, they could wait another 40 minutes.

An issue with the referee meant the kick-off was delayed until almost 3.45pm so Steven Reid, due to be the fourth official at Livingston’s game against St Johnstone, could make his way to the game.

The Wasps were given a boost before kick-off with Scott Taggart finally returning from injury. He started in what appeared to be a back five, which Peter Grant would later clarify was a back three of Andy Graham, Nicky Jamieson and Liam Dick in the middle with Steven Hetherington and Taggart either side of them.

Kevin Cawley would go on to score the match-winner but it was his poor pass which lead to Queen of the South’s opener. Trying to spread it wide to Taggart, the pass was intercepted by Connor Shields who ran through on goal and shot at Neil Parry.

The keeper got down quickly to block the shot but could only push it into the path of Isaiah Jones, who passed it into an empty net.

For a spell during the first half, Alloa were playing with fire. Slack passing all over the park continuously gave possession back to the visitors and they could have added to their tally had they been more clinical.

Around the half-way mark of the first half, Alloa equalised. Alan Trouten’s pass to Innes Murray allowed the Hibs loanee to turn and strike the ball first time, forcing keeper Rohan Ferguson to parry it wide for a corner.

Hetherington’s corner found its way to Cawley who whipped it back towards goal. Headed away by a Queens player, Innes Cameron controlled the ball and prodded it towards Graham, who opened his body up and calmly slotted it past Ferguson.

The visitors pushed to retake the lead, and went close more than once. A smart reverse pass from Jones found James Maxwell running into the box and Parry got down quickly to save his shot before Dick cleared it from danger.

A slack pass from Graham to Ray Grant allowed Queens to push forward again, this time allowing Dan Pybus to switch the ball to Aidan Fitzpatrick, who beat Jamieson easily and hit a good shot towards goal that Parry once again managed to get down to and save.

Half-time saw the introduction of Jon Robertson for Jamieson, with Taggart moving to the centre of defence and Robertson providing the width.

Alloa started the second half with two half chances that might have gone in on another day.

Cawley’s determination saw him win the ball back on the by-line before firing it across the pitch to Hetherington, who took one touch to set the ball and then fired it across goal.

Taggart then launched a through ball forward for Innes Cameron, who controlled it well and cut inside before launching a shot towards goal.

The Wasps stung the visitors on the hour mark to take the lead. Cameron knocked the ball wide to Robertson who whipped in an inch-perfect cross for Cawley, arguably the smallest player in the box. He headed towards goal and when the header bounced off the bar, Cawley reacted quicker than anybody and slammed the ball past Ferguson.

Queens pushed for an equaliser as snowflakes began to fall but Parry was there every time. A corner found Ayo Obileye who powered the ball towards goal but the keeper reacted brilliantly and palmed the ball away from goal.

Cameron was still searching for his first goal for his new club and once again came very close to getting it. Alan Trouten laid the ball off for Hetherington who launched it over the top for the Ayrshire striker. Letting the ball bounce once, he saw Ferguson off his line and tried to lift it over the keeper but it went wide of the post.

With minutes left to go, Alloa should have doubled their lead and Cameron should have scored. Parry’s goal kick was flicked on by Cameron to substitute Liam Buchanan, who raced onto the ball and cut inside before laying the ball across goal. Any touch from Cameron would have put the ball across the line but Maxwell did enough to ensure he couldn’t make contact.

Alloa managed to hold out for the last few minutes to claim a deserved and crucial win. It means there are just three points between the Wasps and safety.

Saturday was the first part of a huge week for Peter Grant’s men. For now, tonight’s away match against Inverness Caley Thistle was still on and this Saturday sees Arbroath come to Clackmannanshire.

With both clubs just three points above the Wasps, it cannot be underestimated how big these matches could be for Alloa’s survival hopes.

ALLOA: Parry, Hetherington, Dick, Jamieson (Robertson), Graham, Taggart, Grant, Murray (Buchanan), Trouten, Cawley, Cameron. UNUSED SUBS: Wright, Lynch, Thomson, Scougall, Connelly