KEVIN O’HARA’S freak goal was the only thing separating Alloa and Hamilton on Saturday, as the two sides played out a pre-playoff dead rubber.

Both sides went into the game knowing that a rematch in the playoffs was just around the corner, with the teams set to meet again on May 7 at the Recs.

Andy Graham had promised rotation in his squad to get match fitness into some players ahead of the all-important playoffs and made three changes for the Accies visit.

Steven Hetherington, Jon Robertson and Kevin Cawley all came into the starting line-up, with Kurtis Roberts, Miko Virtanen and Luke Donnelly all absent.

The first half was end-to-end, with both sides having spells of dominance and having their chances to take the lead.

Bobby Wales had a bullet saved very well by Hamilton’s Dean Lyness, with the Wasps keeping the visitors on their toes in the early minutes.

PJ Morrison made a superb save to deny the visitors, tipping it over the crossbar but was eventually beaten by O’Hara’s deciding goal.

The former Wasps striker got his cross away and past David McKay, gliding over Morrison and ending up in the net.

His fluke goal would be the only goal of the game, with the second half a much quieter affair between the sides.

Graham made a number of changes at half time, introducing the likes of Cammy O’Donnell, Conor Sammon, Ally Roy and Steven Buchanan to ensure the squad was up to scratch before the playoffs.

Speaking to Advertiser Sport, Graham applauded the performances of the full squad and hailed plenty of positives.

He said: “I was really pleased with the guys who came in that hadn’t played in a while, I thought they showed up really well and played some really good stuff.

“Before the freak goal – he’s trying to cross it and it goes in at the back post – we had a couple of opportunities to take the lead.

“The pleasing thing for me was that we created a good few opportunities in the game and I thought we passed the ball well especially in the first half.

“When we do pass it, you see that we’re a different team and the message was to do that more.

“The guys coming on at half time, it’s difficult for them as they’re coming onto a tough game against a good side and I thought they showed up really well.

“I’m really pleased with the attitude and the performance and we build towards the playoffs and that’s the main thing.”

While the defeat isn’t ideal for Alloa, the performances between the two sides continue to be very tight.

All four meetings between Alloa and Hamilton this season have been close affairs, with just one goal separating three of them and the other being a goalless draw.

Fans can expect the playoff semi-final matches to be more of the same, with the first leg set to be at the Recs and the second leg played at New Douglas Park.

Alloa’s squad was further boosted by Paul McLaren featuring on the bench for the first time this season.

The youngster has been absent from the squad since picking up a tear in his ACL last season, with the Wasps squad looking particularly healthy going into the playoffs.

Graham continued: “There wasn’t a lot between it; Hamilton had a few chances, but so did we, and it’s been like that all season.

“There won’t be much in it and it’ll be the fine lines and the fine margins that will decide it, but the most important thing is that we can get as many players ready for those playoffs.

“You never know who is going to be the player that you need to rely on at any given time so that was the most important thing for today.

“We’ve got a really good squad and that’s the reason that we’re in the position we’re in – it’s that squad and their attitude which has been absolutely outstanding.

“Even the guys in training or on the bench – they’re the guys that drive on the team and make sure that they’re at it every year and it was important to get them game time.

“Look at last year, when we were in the playoffs and Ross MacIver was playing centre half – hopefully nothing like that happens, we don’t want Sammo back there.

“They go and show how good they are – Kevin Cawley, I thought he was excellent and Steven Hetherington and Jon Robertson haven’t played in a while and they didn’t look out of place.

“That’s testament to them to the way they look after themselves and the way they approach a game.

“Even the guys that came on – Ally Roy, Conor Sammon, guys in the attacking areas, they came on and they looked a threat.

“I’m delighted with that and it’s all about getting some more minutes next week ahead of the big one on Tuesday.”

Alloa visit the Falkirk Stadium next Saturday for the last fixture of the League One campaign, before attention turns to Hamilton in the playoff semi-final the following Tuesday.

ALLOA XI: Morrison, Taggart, McKay, Neill, Sutherland (O’Donnell, 46’), Robertson, Hetherington, Steven (Buchanan, 46’), Cawley (Scougall, 67’), Coulson (Roy, 46’), Wales (Sammon, 46’)