Arbroath’s David Hutton won the man-of-the-match award after turning in a performance which embraced all the highs and lows only a goalkeeper can know.
The experienced stopper was the home hero in the 16th minute when he tipped Scott Taggart’s penalty kick onto the bar then got back to his feet to block Kris Renton’s follow up. The spot-kick had been given after Colin Hamilton tripped Paul Crossan.
But 20 minutes later Hutton became the pantomime villain by failing to collect a free-kick lofted hopefully into the box.
He succeeding only in pushing it into the path of defender David Gold who watched in horror as it bounced off his shin and rolled over the line to give Alloa the lead.
It was a nightmare moment which can shatter a player’s confidence, but Hutton put it to the side and went on to pull off a string of excellent saves.
He said: “Who would be a goalie? I made a mistake but when you do that you have to respond, which I was able to do.
“I went on to make a few saves, which is what I’m meant to do.”
Arbroath got back on level terms in the 56th minute when Ryan McCord sent Neil Parry the wrong way from the penalty spot after Danny Denholm had been bundled to the ground.
Two minutes later, Bobby Linn’s effort almost sneaked over the line then McCord headed a Gavin Swankie cross narrowly wide.
Alloa came back into it and Hutton brought off a double save to deny Jon Robertson’s deflected volley and Paul Crossan’s follow up.
The home side had another penalty shout waved aside when Gary Fraser went down in the box.
The result keeps the Lichties in the top four and Hutton added: “The gaffer has put together a really good squad and our aim is definitely to win promotion.”