There was general agreement that Cowan’s injury cast a shadow over the game. The horrific double break has been partially repaired and more surgery is planned. Terry Butcher said, "When you see the severity of what happened and the pictures on the back pages, it brings it home to you. But it was a complete accident.”
Willie Kinniburgh came off the bench and made a useful contribution. A growing body of the fans are suggesting that he should be given an extended run in the starting eleven. His early season performances in the first team and his recent performances for the U21s would seem to back that view.
Derek Adams’ ill-judged elbow turned the game. Every one of the twelve thousand at the game knew that our chances of taking anything from the game disappeared with the raising of the red card. He is an experienced player and he will know more than anyone that his loss was a significant blow.
Regulars in the home stands would not have been surprised at the flurry of yellow cards that followed Derek’s dismissal. In an over enthusiastic attempt to compensate for their lack of numbers the devils in claret and amber started throwing themselves into challenges. This culminated in Faddy’s withdrawal in the second half. He will be needed at Easter Road on Saturday and a second booking was not what the team needed.
The debate about Woods’ display goes on. A questionable effort at his near post in conceding the first goal and a moment’s loss of concentration when walking the ball from his area gave his detractors plenty of ammunition. On the other hand everyone agrees that he made several great stops, the best of which was the right footed deflection of a goal bound rocket from Lambert.
But attention now has to turn to the next game.
Three points at Easter Road would be a wonderful tonic for David Cowan!