Alloa Athletic pulled off heroics by overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Rangers 3-2 and book their place in the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup this evening.
The Gers suffered an early setback when Lewis Macleod was stretchered off with a suspected hamstring strain, and things almost went from bad to worse for them as the hosts claimed the first meaningful attack.
Ben Gordon played a cheeky ball across the face of goal, allowing Greig Spence to test Steve Simonsen from close range, but the striker failed to get any power behind his effort.
Rangers barely threatened in the first half, coming closest when Kris Boyd headed a Nicky Law free kick over the crossbar in the 23rd minute, and there was a let-off for them at the other end shortly before half time as Liam Buchanan gained possession in a dangerous position and shot wide.
Alloa threatened again on the stroke of half time with Mark Docherty's deflected effort testing Simonsen again, helping the Wasps make a statement of intent at the halfway stage of the tie.
Rangers looked like a different team after the break, and they took the lead just three minutes into the second half through Kenny Miller, who was on hand to tap home after Alloa goalkeeper Craig McDowall parried a blistering free kick from Boyd.
Ally McCoist's side continued to up the tempo, and they added a deserved second shortly after the hour mark as Miller laid the ball on a platter for Dean Shiels and the midfielder thumped one beyond McDowall.
Alloa refused to lie down, and they set the stage for a nervy finish in the 71st minute when Spence beat Simonsen with a close-range header to add what looked like a consolation goal.
However, the Gers were left stunned three minutes later when Ryan McCord danced into the area and placed a shot beyond Simonsen to level to tie; but what happened next was the stuff of their supporters' wildest dreams.
Spence was the hero for the Wasps, popping up in the area with one minute left on the clock to sidefoot into the net and notch up the goal that booked his team a place in the final.
Mark Langshaw
