³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Midfielder Adam King was taken to hospital after collapsing unconscious as Alloa Athletic established a one-goal lead over Hamilton Academical in their Scottish Championship Play-off.

The 27-year-old collapsed 20 minutes into the game at the Indodrill Stadium but was conscious when taken off on a stretcher after being aided by medical staff from both clubs.

Replacement Luke Donnelly fired home after the Hamilton defence failed to clear in first-half stoppage time, giving Alloa a first-leg advantage.

King is likely to be a doubt for the return on Saturday, with Alloa manager Brian Rice telling ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland: "It looked really serious. He just seemed to collapse and everyone responded really quickly, so I'm glad of that."

Rice confirmed that the former Heart of Midlothian youth, who had suffered a head knock, was "awake" but "a bit dazed" at half-time before being sent to hospital for checks.

Donnelly had replaced King and proved to be the match winner as Alloa ended a run of four home defeats to put Hamilton's second-tier status under serious threat after their own run without a victory stretched to seven outings.

Andy Winters and Dario Zanatta failed to take early opportunities for the visitors, as did Connor Sammon and Quinn Coulson for the hosts.

Hamilton, who finished second bottom in the Championship, came close to equalising within seconds of going behind, but Reghan Tumilty smashed his shot from inside the six-yard box off the underside of the bar.

Alloa, who were fourth in League 1, also hit the woodwork as they searched for a second, with teenager Coulson striking off the upright after some terrific wing play.