Brave Fightback Wins 'Well a Point

Last updated : 25 March 2006 By Firparkcorner

Misty at Kick off
Meldrum kept his place in goal and the returning Smith found a had to sit on the bench. Terry elected to stick to the same personnel and formation as last week and McDonald again had to forage.

We started brightly enough and Foran had a good effort tipped over the bar. We then lost two goals in a poor spell when we failed to clear corner kicks. The first saw the ball fall to Clark some twenty five yards out. His fierce drive was well stopped by Meldrum but Lovell was first to react and he fired into the net from close range.

Kerr and Craigan combined well to produce a tempting cross along the six yard line but it eluded both O'Donnell and McDonald who were both just out of range.

McCormack gave up possession too easily and the Dons won a corner from the resultant breakaway. The ball again fell to the feet of Lovell and his quick shot on the turn gave Meldrum no chance. A quarter of the game had passed it looked like game over.

We huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half without any real chance of a goal. A lifeline arrived toward the end of the additional two minutes. Hammell floated a perfect free kick into the box and McLean rose to head into the far side net. 2-1 at the break.

A point secured


We pressed from the restart and gained a corner. Foran force a fine save and a second corner was awarded. The ball broke to Hammell who was up ended. Foran fired the spot kick to the keeper's left and we were level. In effect we had scored two goals in two minutes.

The game became a bit niggly thereafter. The officials lost the plot and started to penalise most challenges involving contact. Both teams were determined to snatch a winner but there were few clear cut chances. McDonald was booked and hooked. Clarkson replaced him with ten minutes to go and Kinniburgh came on when McLean pulled up with a probable hamstring pull.

We remain unbeaten by Aberdeen this season and in normal circumstances a point at Pittodrie would be regarded as a good day's work. But results elsewhere were not kind and it could be that we need two wins against Livi and Rangers to clamber into the top half of the table.