Queen of the Souths status as the only unbeaten league side in Scotland and England is gone after they were beaten 1-0 by second-placed Alloa Athletic at Recreation Park tonight.

A second half penalty from Ryan McCord after a foul by Ryan McGuffie was enough to cut Queens lead at the top of the division to six points in a closely-fought affair in the Alloa chill.

Manager Allan Johnston: "Both teams created lots of chances and I dont know how it ended up 1-0.  It was an open game and you could see that both teams were trying to get the win."

The Queens gaffer was exasperated after his team conceded their seventh penalty of the season leading to the defeat: "It was disappointing losing a goal from a penalty.  I dont know how many penalties we have lost this year, it must be the highest amount of penalties ever!"

Midfielder Paul Burns had to be stretchered off halfway through the first half after a challenge by Ryan McCord in the middle of the park and it remains to be seen if it is a serious injury.

"We need to see how it is tomorrow.  We just need to see how it settles down but he hurt his knee."

When asked about losing the unbeaten run Johnston was eager to look forward to the next fixture against Brechin City on Saturday: "It is disappointing but the boys have done great so far [this season] and it’s all about how we react for the next game.  It is a really big game for us and it’s how we bounce back and hopefully we show our character and produce a good performance and get a win."