Richard Brittain saved Livingston's miserable season from plumbing new depths with an injury-time equaliser in the Tennent's Scottish Cup third-round at Alloa.

Wasps defender Michael Bolochoweckyj headed the Bell's Second Division bottom club ahead in the 66th minute from one of Jamie Stevenson's numerous excellent corners.

But lacklustre Livi, who are propping up the Bank of Scotland Premier League table, were saved by a superb strike from Brittain with just seconds remaining.

It was nearly a fantastic first result for Alloa caretaker-manager Gareth Evans, who was placed in charge after Tom Hendrie was sacked as manager on Tuesday.

Livi, who won at Alloa in the fourth round last year thanks to a late Colin McMenamin goal, started brightly and opened up a Wasps defence missing key defender John Ovenstone in the second minute.

Livi player-manager Paul Lambert - back in the side in place of Allan Walker - picked out left-back Paul Tierney in acres of space on the left edge of the penalty box and his cross was headed against the bar by Lions captain Dave Mackay.

Alloa, without a league win since August and eight points adrift at the bottom of the Second Division, hit back with a chance of their own in the sixth minute.

Former Hearts man Robert Sloan's clever flick set David McGeown through on goal but Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie was quick to smother the danger.

After 16 minutes, the home side thought they had taken the lead when, from a Stevenson corner, Fraser Forrest bundled the ball home - only to see it ruled out by referee Charlie Richmond for a push on Roddy McKenzie.

Paul Dalglish wasted an excellent opportunity to give his side the lead midway through the half when he was picked out brilliantly by Lambert.

But the Livi striker strangely opted to try to find Robert Snodgrass rather than have a shot at goal.

Alloa keeper James Evans was called into action in the 42nd minute when he handled well from a Harald Pinxten header.

Three minutes after the interval, Iain Nicholson produced a fantastic left-wing cross and Stevenson hit the post with McKenzie rooted to the spot.

Just after the hour mark, the Wasps went close again when Stevenson's corner was headed towards the top corner by Ross Hamilton but Lambert was there to clear off the line.

Livi's boss, fearing a cup shock, attempted to change things when he brought on Wes Hoolahan for his debut at the expense of Jason Dair.

But, from another Stevenson corner, the home side took the lead when Bolochoweckyj rose highest to head home in impressive fashion after 66 minutes.

Lambert acted almost immediately by making his second substitution, introducing young striker Graham Dorrans in place of the tiring Dalglish.

The former Scotland captain took matters into his own hands with a majestic 75th-minute free-kick which beat Evans but hit the underside of the bar and bounced out.

Greg Strong looked poised to knock in the rebound from a yard out, but appeared to be nudged off the ball, although referee Richmond saw nothing amiss.

Wasps keeper Evans was called upon five minutes from time when he spread himself bravely to block a thunderous Snodgrass effort from close range as the home side desperately tried to hang on for a famous win.

Bolochoweckyj cleared off the line magnificently deep in injury time.

But, from the subsequent corner, Brittain arrowed a brilliant equaliser beyond Evans and into the bottom right-hand corner to save Livi's blushes.

Teams

Alloa Evans, Bolochoweckjy, Mortimer, Forest, Nicolson, Walker, McGeowen (Learmonth 77), Townsley, Sloan, Hamilton, Stevenson (Graeme Brown 86).

Subs Not Used: McGlynn, Andy Brown, Quitongo.

Booked: Townsley, Hamilton.

Goals: Bolochoweckjy 66.

Livingston McKenzie, Mackay, Pinxten, Strong, Tierney, Dair (Hoolahan 62), Brittain, Lambert, Vincze, Dalglish (Dorrans 70), Snodgrass.

Subs Not Used: Roy, McNamee, Walker.

Booked: Vincze.

Goals: Brittain 90.

Att: 1,341

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).