Alloa improved their hopes of escaping relegation from the First Division after coming from behind to clinch a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Ross County.

The home side took the lead when a long-range shot from Darren Henderson was deflected over Alloa keeper Guido Van de Kamp and into the net.

County continued to press, but Alloa equalised against the run of play when a Willie Irvine free-kick was flicked on by Steve Thompson and Gareth Evans found the net with a diving header.

Alloa piled on the pressure before the break and Brian Irvine and Hugh Robertson were both forced to make goalline clearances.

Ian Maxwell was sent off in the 53rd minute when he appeared to kick Gareth Evans after the duo fought for possession.

But despite this, County regained the lead in the 59th minute with a brilliant goal.

Mark McCormick picked out Alex Bone on the left and the striker floated the ball over Van de Kamp from 18 yards.

But Alloa were back on level terms five minutes later when veteran forward Irvine headed home Evans' cross.

Van De Kamp did well to get down to a fierce drive from substitute Derek Holmes as the 10 men went all out to regain the lead.

But it was Alloa who grabbed the winner when Hamish French hooked the ball home from 10 yards after a goal-mouth scramble.

Karim Voukraa went very close to levelling with a speculative shot that clipped the top of the crossbar, but the visitors hung on for victory.