| The clubs will meet again on Saturday at Recreation Park and, if they are still level, the tie will go to extra time and penalties to decide who will play the winners of the Berwick Rangers/ Stenhousemuir semi.
Lichties boss John McGlashan insists he believed his side were capable of making the play-offs ever since he took over the Gayfield hot-seat from Harry Cairney.
He said, “This is a bonus for us and for our fans, and is also a fantastic reward for the players whose efforts have got us into this position.
“I have managed to get hold of some video footage of Alloa playing Gretna, so we should know what we are likely to to be up against tonight and have prepared accordingly.
“We played Alloa in the first round of the CIS Cup last year and were, I believe, unlucky to lose to a goal in extra time, so we have to be in with a chance.
“This is not the sort of game you have to fire players up for — they all know exactly what is at stake and I expect to, once again, see the sort of commitment and attacking football which has been a feature of our play in recent games.
“If we can play the way we know we can, then we have nothing to fear against Alloa and, if we can go into the away leg with something, then I see no reason why we can’t view promotion — even through the back door, so to speak — as a realistic goal.”
Arbroath have no new injury worries and, although first-choice keeper Mark Peat has resumed training, Neil Inglis is likely to get the nod in recognition of his recent fine form.
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm.
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