Darren Smith filled the right midfield slot and McGarry moved to the bench. We started brightly and had the first goal attempt in four minutes when Clarkson fired at Stillie. Then we were awarded a non scoring free kick inside the box for a pass back but the resulting shot was fired into the defensive wall. Smith supplied a fine ball to Quinn but his header flew high when it should have been on target.
We shoot at the wall
We continued to create half chances and had a penalty claim turned away when Stillie and McDonald clashed. A smart turn by Kerr on the touchline gave him the freedom of the left wing and he squared to McDonald. The United keeper was forced to save at the post.
The price for weak finishing arrived just before the half hour. Meldrum's weak clearance was swiftly returned via a United header and
Within a minute we had eleven on the park to their ten when Kalvenes was dismissed for a second reckless challenge. The visitors shuffled their pack and played with one up.
We fell further behind when McCracken headed home following a front post flick at a corner. Things looked bleak at the break and it was difficult to see how we could turn the game.
Early in the second half Malpas replaced Clarkson and Quinn with Elliot and Fitzpatrick. We picked up the paced and tried to claw our way back.
On the hour Smith was nudged inside the box and referee McCurry pointed to the spot. Richie scored in his usual fashion and followed the ball into the net to begin the search for an unlikely equaliser.
Foran from the spot
It arrived in sixty seven minutes when a peach of a corner from Patterson was charged home by a Reynold's header. At this stage it looked like a marvellous recovery might happen and the home crowd was in full voice urging the lads on for the winner.
We kept the momentum going and Foran almost scored but his difficult chance rose over the bar from the sliding attempt.
The final goal of the game was a shocking example of defensive play. United had a throw in at the south end of the main stand near the dead ball line. Kerr broke a cardinal rule by positioning himself on the wrong side of Robson. The ball was then lobbed into the six yard box and Hunt, all alone at the back post, headed into the net.
The dreadful result exposed weak defending and poor finishing. The January window cannot come too soon as the chance of us picking up anything before the New Year arrives must be remote. We can only hope that