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DEFENDER Ryan Strachan spoke to the media after our dramatic 3-2 victory over Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Ryan netted a sensational last minute winner to secure our place in today’s third round draw and felt the victory, our first over a Championship side, was deserved.

“We were the better side, if we had scored seven or eight goals nobody in the Alloa team could have complained,” said Ryan.

“We were good on and off the ball, worked very hard for each other and created so many clear cut chances – while they scored from the two they had.

“Thankfully, I was able to get the winner to prevent extra-time because even having to play that would have been harsh on us.

“But even if it had gone to extra-time I would have fancied us because we were playing so well.

“It’s a really pleasing victory because playing an established Championship side away from home was a tough draw.

“Cove lost 4-0 away to Alloa in the League Cup four years ago, before I joined the club.

“This result shows how far we have come since that day – and we are hungry to keep progressing.”

Ryan’s winner was certainly a memorable one, a 35-yard free-kick that roared into the top corner of the net.

“I’ve hit a few like that before,” said Ryan.

“I was joking with some of the Alloa players that, nine out of 10 times, they go into the top corner.

“It was still a great feeling to see it sail in there, as you can tell by my celebrations.

“The reason I was so pleased is because I knew it was ensuring a proper reward for the effort everyone put in to secure the win.

“The headlines will say I’m the one who put us through because I scored so late.

“But it was the perfect team effort.

“The management team did their homework to ensure we came out knowing exactly what needed to be done to get the better of Alloa.

“We, to a man, stuck to the game plan and did what had been asked of us in training during the week over the course of the 90 minutes and got the job done.”

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Paul Hartley on Alloa & Third Round Draw »