The month of January allowed teams to strengthen their playing staff as the transfer window opened, but crucially for us, James McFadden was going nowhere. Richard Offiong and Tony Vaughan both arrived on loan while Steven Craig was signed from Falkirk. A return visit to Rugby Park was one of the worst games of the season and we threw away a certain point when DuBourdeau elbowed Dargo in the box. We were still eleventh when we visited Tannadice but Ian McCall was taking charge of United for the first time. They made the better start and scored but when Adams equalised with a penalty – a decision that saw Alan Combe red carded – we were favourites to win. However, after Adams and Leitch spurned chances, Miller scored an opportunistic winner and we were left to shake our heads at another loss.
We had two vital and winnable homes games next against Hibs and Dunfermline but the pressure was on the players to deliver while Faddy was still suspended. Consecutive 2-1 wins saw us move three points clear of Dundee United and it was new signing Craig who scored the winner against the Pars.
Those results set us up nicely for our Scottish Cup tie at Broadwood. We had no need to get out of second gear as our class showed against an under performing Clyde team. Two goals from McFadden, the second after a long solo run, ensured there would be no cup upset. So, three wins in a row and confidence was high. So, naturally it was about time for it all to go wrong. Trips to Tynecastle are always tough but we outplayed the Jambos for most of the game. Lasley equalised with a delightful goal but we then missed chance after chance to take the lead. Phil Stamp scored the winner on the breakaway and started another disastrous run of league results for us.
When Aberdeen visited Fir Park in early February they were still only six points clear of bottom spot. A home win would have drawn them deep into trouble but we picked an awful time to turn in one of our worst performances of the season. Sheerin’s early penalty was the only goal of the game and Pearson blasted our only chance off a defender on the goal line when it looked easier to score. The red mist descended on Pearo and he was sent off for an injury time kick. A four game suspension was the result of his second red card of the season.
A dull 2-0 loss at Ibrox was not viewed as a disaster but three consecutive losses was not the best preparation for a cup quarter final. The draw had been kind to us this time and we were given a trip to Stair Park to face Stranraer. Stranraer were in their first ever Scottish Cup quarter final and fancied their chances against us…could we make it to our first semi final in twelve years?