County secure two-goal win against spirited Alloa
Ross County 2 (McManus, Lindsay)
Alloa Athletic 0
Ross County comfortably saw off the challenge of Alloa Athletic, easing to a 2-0 victory.
County took the lead after 10 minutes through Declan McManus.
Brian Graham ran into the box to be met with a tough but fair challenge, and the ball ran free – allowing McManus to run on to it and shoot first time into the far corner.
It was an open match, with Alloa trying to come out and play to carve open an opportunity that would get them back into the tie.
But it was still the hosts who had the best of the chances, with Mckay hitting the post and the Northern Irish international and Graham each forcing saves out of Wasps stopper Neil Parry.
Alloa came out at the start of the second half with a renewed attacking threat, Dario Zanatta at one point seeing two shots from inside the box blocked by Keith Watson.
County were able to weather the storm though, and managed to extend their lead just after the hour mark.
McManus slipped in Graham, who picked out Jamie Lindsay's forward run beautifully.
The midfielder's first shot was straight at Parry, but he was there to knock in the rebound from close range with his head.
That goal essentially killed the match as a contest, with each side going through the motions until the final whistle confirmed the three points for the home side.
