BERWICK Rangers launched their hectic programme of seven games in 22 days in perfect style with their first victory in eight outings at league leaders Alloa Athletic.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to this busy spell,” admitted Borderers boss Ian Little, after watching his side send the Wasps to their first defeat of the season on their own territory.

“It really was vital that we got a win under our belts after a fairly lean spell,” said Little, who has not ruled out reaching the play-offs – although Rangers are nine points adrift.

“With seven games in quick succession we can still achieve our target if things go well.”

Little, who introduced new signing, 20-year-old striker John Ferguson from Cowdenbeath, as a substitute late in the game, added: “There were spells when Alloa were on top – there’s no getting away from that.

“But we kept plugging away and got the goal which settled the issue.”

The only disappointment for the manager was the fact that Steven Notman was sent off in the dying stages for a second bookable offence and David Greenhill was also shown a yellow card.

Berwick had a lucky escape minutes before the break when Ryan McCord beat keeper Jamie Barclay only to see his effort come back off the bar.

Rangers finally got the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Damon Gray fired home from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box.

ALLOA: Bain, James Doyle, Gordon, Harding, McKinnon, Docherty (One 76), Young (Winters 82), Ryan McCord, Holmes (Ross McCord 67), May, Cawley. Subs (not used): McDowall, McCullagh.

Booked: Ross McCord, One.

BERWICK: Barclay, McLeod, Townsley, McLean, Thompson, McLaren (Ferguson 81), Notman, Ross Gray (Deland 46), Greenhill, Noble (Gribben 74), Damon Gray. Subs (not used): Sorley, Miller.

Sent off: Notman (84). Booked: Deland, Notman, Greenhill. Goal: Damon Gray 59 pen.

Referee: Andrew Dallas Attendance: 544