“That’s football”, said McCall after the match. “If we take our chances, we win. We played good football and in patches it was the best we’ve played this season. I can’t be critical of the players”. With an appropriate haunted look he replayed the lost goals. Mannus saved Ainsworth’s shot with his legs and within seconds a sweeping attack led to O’Halloran’s first strike. Ramsden had a chance to upend the scorer as he raced through the centre circle but the challenge was brushed off and moments later our hard earned lead was gone.
The second goal was a fitting Halloween horror. Kerr lost his footing and slid to the ground tumbling McManus on the way. O’Halloran needed no more invitation and promptly skirted the downed defenders before he rounded a static Lasley and chipped beyond Twardzik for the winner.
Optimists will point to the chances created and the hint that the first half performance showed glimpses of returning confidence. But those voices will be drowned by those who point to the five game losing run and our perilous position at the bottom of the table. With every passing week the pressure builds and few will anticipate any relief when Dundee United arrive at Fir Park for the last of Friday night trio.
We’ll have a small diversion from league worries on Monday when the fourth round of the Scottish Cup is drawn. There was a time (long time ago?) when this was seen as a refreshing break from the routine of league business but given our recent record there will be few who will expect us to be in the hat for the fifth round.
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