Fitzpatrick and Lasley replaced the injured O'Donnell and McCormack found himself and his yellow boots on the bench.
We started very well and should have been ahead in two minutes when Porter's slide in at the six yard line was deflected by a defender's despairing leg. Clarkson had set up the chance when he hared on to an 'over the top' long ball down the left wing before cutting in-field to square to his striking partner.
Within minutes both Quinn and McGarry had supplied quality balls into the box from the right wing. We looked good and confident and it seemed just a matter of time before we would take the lead.
Porter had another great chance halfway through the first period when his quick turn on the eighteen yard line set him up for a shot. He beat the keeper but the big travelling support gasped as the ball came off the post.
We survived a couple of scrambles in Smith's area but retained our shape and composure. Hughes was presented with a fine chance from Clarkson but his shot was more of a pass to the keeper.
Early in the second period McGarry should have burst the net after Clarkson provided yet another chance. He was clear in the right side of the area but his shot was too close to the keeper.
White goalsposts - white background - crazy!
The pace of the game had slowed considerably and our high speed game was smothered. The match looked like it would become a stalemate and McGhee swapped McGarry for McCormack in an attempt to put some spark into our attack.
With fifteen minutes remaining we lost a stupid goal. Latapy had a free kick thirty yards out on the right and his floated cross looked to be sailing harmlessly towards Smith. But he failed to react and it landed in his left hand corner much to the amazement of everyone inside the stadium.
We never looked like recovering.
McGhee said afterwards that it was a game we didn't need to lose. We had dominated early on but then lost a disappointing goal. He was not as pleased with our showing as in other games. He was not happy- rightly so.