QUEEN'S PARK gaffer Gardner Speirs reckons the 3-1 win at Alloa was their most vital of the Irn-Bru Second Division season.

A Paul Cairney penalty three minutes before the break and goals from Ian Watt and Paul Harkins did the damage for the Hampden outfit as they moved into seventh spot.

Speirs said: "This was a massive win for us and, given the fact we were going into it off the back of two heavy defeats, it was invaluable. To be fair to the lads, some of the football we played in the first half was excellent.

"But, after the break, we had to soak up some pressure and we were up to that and always dangerous on the break. So I feel the boys stood up and were counted and really showed some character when it was most needed."

And Speirs was quick to single out the contribution of teenage strike prospect Watt.

The Spiders boss said: "Young Ian has come in and done really well and, along with Stevie Nicholas, who we got after East Fife released him, look like they have the makings of a decent partnership up front.

"We have been struggling for goals previously with just one in our last three games, so it was great to treble that in one fell swoop."

In the Irn-Bru Third Division, Dumbarton came from behind at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium to earn a 1-1 draw with Albion Rovers.

Ciaran Donnelly gave Rovers the lead after 37 minutes before Ross Clark levelled for Sons two minutes before the interval.

Dumbarton boss Jim Chapman said: "The draw was a fair result. Rovers are a decent side and they made it tough for us. But at the moment we are going through a wee dip and we must learn to make things happen for ourselves."

Albion gaffer Paul Martin said: "On the balance of play we feel we should have won the match. But we are now unbeaten in our last six away games and to take a point from one of the fancied teams like Dumbarton proves the progress we have made."