WIFI Setup Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+

Hi I'm having a trouble connecting to the network using an Allo Boss DAC connected to a Raspi3 Model A+ with piCorePlayer.
I followed the steps on; "How-to setup wifi on piCorePlayer without Ethernet" on the piCorePlayer help page.
I have tried both methods (no/special characters) outlined by adding a wpa_supplicant.conf file to the BOOT disk with my WIFI credentials and country code added without success.
I next tried to setup using a USB keyboard and monitor attached to the Raspi&Boss. The keyboard is not recognised.
I do get a piCorePlayer setup screen but I can't interact with it. Most of the actions work fine with a DONE in green after them.
However these lines are potential issues;
*Checking for netusb... newpcp.cfg not found on mmcblk0pi.
*waiting for network..........................................N o network found! Done (52).
*there was a problem reaching sites for automatic time zones etc,........

I cannot SSH in via Putty as I don't have an IP address for the Raspi&Boss. Remember its a Pi3 Model A+ No ethernet port for first setup.
I have tried an Edimax WIFI dongle without success, not recognised.
My Allo Digione player which is served by another Pi Running PiCorePlayer as a server only (Squeezelite disabled) and an O2 Joggler running Squeezeplay all work perfectly.
I have tried with the audio optimised version, and the regular version of piCorePlayer 5.0.0 with the nightly build of LMS.
I've been wrestling with this for some time now and am at my wits end. I don't know what to try next.
I'd be very grateful for some help and advice. Hopefully it's a schoolboy error.

Thanks & respect.
Dreddguy