Stirling Albion stay top of the Second Division after maintaining their 100% record this season with a 2-0 win against Alloa in the first league derby between the teams since 2000.
But the game hinged on the 37th-minute dismissal of Paul Mortimer, who saw red against his former club after being deemed guilty of a last-man foul on Martin Glancy.
Some thought referee Steven Duff's decision was harsh, and Wasps boss Tom Hendrie was raging, but Glancy looked set to take Paul Hay's pass through on goal when Mortimer intervened.
Alloa, still to collect a point this season, had been playing confidently and remained well in the game after being reduced to 10 men.
Indeed, they were unlucky not to go ahead in 58 minutes when Ross Hamilton thumped a shot against the underside of the crossbar.
But Stirling made the breakthrough in 72 minutes when in-form Scott McLean scored his seventh goal of 2004/05, calmly converting a penalty after Richard Walker had downed David O'Brien in the box.
Five minutes later, Glancy ignored Alloa appeals for offside to bury a shot into the corner of the net from close range and seal Stirling's success.
It was just reward for the former Airdrie player who produced a stunning save from Alloa keeper Gary McGlynn in a first half of few chances.