This was the proverbial game of two halves. The first had little goalmouth action and the ball spent more time in the air, fanned on by a strong wind, than on the deck. We managed a couple of efforts though – a fine run up the left wing by Foran allowed Clarkson to feed Uncle Phil but his ten yard shot flew high and just before the break Clarkson had a long range effort well held.
Celebration
The Dons had the majority of the ball but our back four held the line despite having to change personnel after Kinniburgh was stretchered off as a result of an evil challenge from Lovell. As a result,
Clarkson earned the praise of the travelling support for his efforts throughout the game but especially for his two goals.
Again, the home side seemed dominant and they had a few opportunities but a long ball from Foran enabled Clarkson to break away from his marker and from the edge of the box he managed to toe poke the ball past the keeper.
He managed another minutes later when a McDonald assist released him. He needed time, speed and accuracy to slot the ball away and the whole team ran to the away support to celebrate what should have been the winning goal.
McDonald should have scored the third five minutes later but his shot was aimed at Esson. Then Byrne managed to throw an elbow at the goal hero and saw a straight red.
Then we shot ourselves in the foot.Second half substitute Mackie scored two . First, a careless Foran trip conceded a penalty. Then, as the ten men threw everything forward, we lost a second. A header following a ball across the goalmouth after a corner brought the equaliser.
Kinniburgh crunched
Despite the body blow we had two further chances to grab a late winner. Clarkson challenged for a long ball in the box and despite the attentions of a defender and the keeper he managed to appear with the ball. He was wide on the left and the goal was empty. His unselfish squared ball was just too strong for McDonald to find a comfortable touch and the chance was gone.
The last kick of the match fell to McDonald and his shot just missed the post – had he returned the compliment to the unmarked Clarkson we may have scored.
It was a thrilling second half and although we would have grabbed a point if offered the concession of a two goal lead (again!) resulted in disappointment.