Michael Chopra, Kyle Benedictus earn advantage for Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic have recorded a 2-0 win over Brechin City in the first leg of their Scottish Championship playoff semi-final.

After a quiet opening, it was Alloa who registered the first significant effort on goal through Kyle Benedictus, but his long-range effort missed the target.

Moments later, former Cardiff City forward Michael Chopra also failed to trouble Graeme Smith, but the Brechin stopper had to be alert to deny Mark Docherty shortly before the half-hour mark.

Colin Hamilton's speculative effort was as good as it got for Brechin but after Ian Flannigan wasted a free-kick opportunity for Alloa, they were able to head into the break on level terms.

However, 11 minutes into the second half, the visitors went ahead after Chopra applied the finishing touch from close range having been set up by Liam Buchanan.

Moments later, Chopra nearly registered a second but his shot just evaded the post, before Benedictus rose above the Brechin defence to head wide of the target from the centre of the penalty area.

Both sides had chances for a second goal, but in the second minute of injury time, Benedictus found the back of the net with a header from six yards to give Alloa a clear advantage heading into the second leg.