JUST when it seemed hopes of continuing their Championship adventure for another year were on the verge of disappearing, the Wasps pulled off a remarkable result to claw themselves out of the abyss.

Few would have given Jim Goodwin's men a chance of knocking table topping Ross County off their stride when the Staggies arrived in the Wee County.

But, a wonder goal by Dario Zanatta knocked out the heavyweight Highlanders to haul the Wasps’ survival hopes off the floor.

What a barnstorming performance this was to a man from the part-timers, who yet again defied their many – and ever growing – doubters.

All through the team, Goodwin's boys stood up to be counted and no one leaving the Indodrill could begrudge them the points.

In fact, you could argue they should have won by an even bigger margin had they taken their host of chances in the first half.

Jack Aitchison, making his long awaited first start, showed in his 60 minutes just what the Wee County faithful had been missing. His Alloa career may have stuttered out of the traps, but he was in the mood from the get go.

The teenager could have been on a brace before the game had even reached its 20th minute. First, the Celtic kid latched onto a wonderful through ball from Jon Robertson but dallied to allow Keith Watson to get in a goal saving block.

Then, it was the County goalkeeper Scott Fox who denied him, springing to his right to claw Aitchison's drive off the line.

Alloa tails were up and pre-match nerves were suddenly replaced by hopes of an unlikely shock.

Skipper Andy Graham was next to threaten, heading a delicious Iain Flannigan free kick toward goal only for Fox to tip it over.

The save proved to only be a momentary reprieve and soon came the Zanatta goal Alloa’s play deserved. Under pressure from Aitchison, Watson nodded a long ball into the path of the Canadian.

Zanatta still had it all to do when he collected the ball 30 yards from goal, but showed wonderful poise to drive past the County backline and fire an unstoppable shot beyond the reach of Fox to end his 2019 goal drought.

County protests fell on deaf ears as their co-management duo raged Aitchison had been in an offside position and it seemed they had a point; not that anyone cheering on the boys in black and yellow was caring.

At the other end, Neil Parry was earning his crust and once again proved critical in deciding the result.

The big goalie first denied Jamie Lindsay with a sprawling save after the youngster wriggled his way into the box, before pushing a dangerous looking Michael Gardyne effort wide for a corner.

From the set piece, Brian Graham really should have opened the scoring but instead sent a free header wide.

It was a frustrating day for Graham in front of goal as he continued to be thwarted by a combination of Parry and the dogged Alloa rearguard. Again the striker had only Parry to beat but blasted high and wide early in the second half.

The chance was a sign of things to come in the second as the Wasps endured relentless spells of pressure from the visitors.

Scott Taggart, again at the heart of the defence, had to be alert to nod clear a dangerous looking Gardyne cross before former Wasp Ross Stewart sent an angled drive wide of Parry's post.

Alloa attacks were becoming increasingly rare but Alan Trouten should have put the game to bed as he missed a gilt edged opportunity.

Superb play on the right sent Connor Shields in behind Kenny van der Weg and his cross found Trouten unmarked on the penalty spot. Surprisingly, the veteran could only find the stand.

As County became even more reckless in search of an equaliser, they pinned Alloa inside their own third, forcing Parry into yet more action as he blocked Stewart's goal bound effort.

But, Parry saved his best for last to deny County with a remarkable double save in stoppage time. Stewart waltzed into the Alloa area and sent a stinging drive towards goal, only for the stopper to palm his shot away.

It looked for all the world that Graham was going to tap home the rebound, but Parry bravely threw himself at his feet to seal the points; taking a kick to the face for his trouble.

At full time the cheers were loud and proud. Write this Alloa team off at your peril.