McCall tweaked the starting line-up by giving Humphrey a start and leaving Forbes on the bench. It was a part of the plan designed to cope with the three man central defence fielded by the opposition. Murphy on one wing and Humphrey on the other would allow us to get down the flanks and deliver the killer balls. Unfortunately it did not work out like that.
Hammell prepares for a second half free kick
As expected St Mirren flooded the midfield and the first half was devoid of much in the way of goalmouth action. Indeed there was little in the way of football as the players snapped at each other to deny possession. The biggest cheer of the half came when the referee decided that the misshapen ball had to be replaced and Craigan delivered it as a souvenir to a lucky fan in the East Stand.
Drago could have put the visitors in the lead early in the second half when he had a clear view of goal on the six yard line. Luckily his header was aimed straight at Randolph. Lasley (booked earlier) was substituted by Hammell and some strange formation changes unfolded. Gunning moved to right back and soldiered on for twenty minutes looked very uncomfortable. He an Hammell then switched and it was Stevie’s turn to play in the unfamiliar role on the right side of defence.
We did have our chances though. Hammell delived a corner that Sutton laid off for Hateley to fire at goal. It was blocked by an amber jersey. Caqsagolda replaced Jeffers with fifteen minutes remaining. Our new striker was rarely involved. Gunning found himself free at the angle of the box and drove low across the face of goal. Casagolda failed to connect.
Higdon was thrown on and within two minutes he scored the winner. He took the chance of a left footed effort from the corner of the box and his drive across Randolph seemed to take a strange bounce before finding the net off the far post.
We pushed forward but were unable to breach the solid Saints defence. The best chance came when Sutton’s 12 yard drive was blocked by McGregor.
It was a disappointing loss following the wins over Aberdeen and Hamilton but we don’t have far to look for the problem. We haven’t scored in eight of the last eleven league games.