FIVE-star Alloa ran riot at Forthbank, condemning their arch rivals Stirling Albion to a day they will soon want to forget.

Quality shone all over the pitch for the Wasps, with five different goal scorers finding the back of the net as they made Binos keeper Blair Currie’s goal a nightmare for him.

Andy Graham made two changes from last week’s draw against Annan, with Conor Sammon replacing the injured Stefan Scougall, while Ethan Sutherland dropped back to left back and Quinn Coulson started on the wing.

The Wasps had the best start they could have asked for, as a goalkeeping howler from Currie gave Sammon an easy tap in to fire Alloa in front.

Stirling began to settle into the game after that, but before they could look to test PJ Morrison, Bobby Wales doubled Alloa’s lead, bundling over the line after Currie’s palmed it in front of him.

Ethan Sutherland sealed up the first half with an unstoppable strike to five the Wasps their third, a truly deserved goal for the St Mirren youngster.

Stirling boss Darren Young made three changes at the break as he urged his team to find a way back into the game, which they did through former Wasp Greig Spence.

Stirling capitalised on a defensive error from Alloa, with Spence dragging Morrison wide and firing past him to give the hosts a consolation goal.

Before Stirling could try to force their way back in with more, Alloa scored twice in three minutes – the first through Kurtis Roberts and lastly from Taylor Steven.

At the other end of the park, PJ Morrison made some stellar saves to deny good Stirling chances as the Wasps closed off a dominant 5-1 display against the Binos.

Speaking to Advertiser Sport after the match, Graham was delighted with the showing and hailed Morrison for his work.

He said: “In terms of the result, I certainly can’t ask for any more than that. We spoke before the game about how important it was to get back on track.

“I thought the players were excellent, especially in the first half. I’ve been there as a player, when you go in 3-0 up and it’s natural to take your foot off a little bit.

“I think we did that too much in the second half but I have to credit PJ, I thought he made some brilliant saves at big times in the game.

“Fair play to Stirling, they kept coming at us and PJ made a brilliant save which is the difference between going 4-2 and us running up the other end and making it five.

“In the first half, we played some really good stuff and looked a threat every time we went forward and I’m delighted with the work rate and application of the players today.

“In conditions like that, that’s what you need and we got that in abundance.”

Alloa’s attacking players maintained a constant threat to the Binos backline, with Sammon, Wales and Steven extending their challenges for the top scorer this season.

Wales scored his 10th goal of the season and provided two assists today, whereas Steven notched his 9th and Sammon poked home his 8th of the campaign.

Kurtis Roberts’ third goals of the season was a particular delight for the Wasps manager, who had called on him to add goals and assists to his game.

“We’ve got goals throughout the team,” Graham continued. “We do have guys that can chip in with goals.

“I’m delighted for Kurtis to get his goal, it’s a lovely strike from him but likewise even though Stirling had pressure in the second half, we always looked like we were going to break.

“We always looked a threat and looked as if we were always going to score and that’s the pleasing thing for me.

“We are always a threat and I thought we showed that today.”

The 5-1 demolition job of Stirling will now provide an excellent launch pad for Alloa to build momentum for the end of the season.

The Wasps face the four toughest fixtures they could to see the season out, up against fellow playoff challengers Montrose and Cove Rangers before taking on second placed Hamilton and league winners Falkirk on the last day of the season.

While fans will be thinking of the fixtures ahead, Graham insisted the team will focus solely on their next game and will look to take maximum points from it.

“You play football for these games,” Graham added. “We’ve got a massive week and next week is the only game we’re focused on.

“There’s no point thinking about the three coming after that, the only thing important to that group of players is next week at home to Montrose.

“It’s down to us to go and put in a performance like today and get three points.”

Alloa next face Montrose at home next Saturday at 3pm.