Saints stunned by devious Dons

Sep 1 2008 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

UNLUCKY Saints are still seeking that elusive first SPL win – after losing out to a 43rd minute opportunist strike from Dons hit man Darren Mackie.

The Love Street side were in control for large sections of the game but, despite creating many chances, they just couldn’t find a way past inspired Dons keeper Jamie Langfield.

And to add to their woes, rugged defender Will Haining limped off with a foot injury in 54 minutes.

Saints started brightly and their Premier League debutante Steven Robb almost took advantage of a Dons defensive muddle.

Richard Foster and Lee Mair collided in the centre circle and Robb was on to it in a flash but Scotland Under-21 star Andrew Considine was on hand to clear the danger.

Foster tried to make amends moments later by sprinting down the left hand side but persistent defending by Franco Miranda halted the Dons star’s advances.

The visitors were making it difficult for Saints by defending so high up the park.

However, Robb’s trickery was a problem for Dons. Considine appeared to halt one of his mazy runs just outside the box in seven minutes by illegal methods, but ref Willie Collum ignored protests from the Saints attackers – and the crowd.

But it was Dons who went closest to grabbing the lead on 10 minutes when Lee Miller chested down a Foster cross into the path of Darren Mackie, only for his shot to fly aimlessly past the post.

It was a wake-up call for Saints though and they should’ve scored three minutes later.

Miranda hit a fierce 30-yard drive, which Langfield spilled, but Billy Mehmet, following up, shot tamely at the keeper, who pushed his effort over the bar.

Dons veteran Derek Young then sold Saints duo Miranda and Robb a dummy before testing Howard with a 20-yard curler.

It was then Miranda’s turn to try his luck from range, but his 22-yard free-kick failed to trouble Langfield.

It was end-to-end stuff, and a defence-splitting pass by Garry Brady released Andy Dorman, but the Chester-born star was cruelly chopped down by Considine, who received a yellow card for the offence.

In 23 minutes, Will Haining saved the day for Saints when he miraculously cleared a wicked Charlie Mulgrew cross from under his own bar.

And Haining’s defensive qualities were called on again moments later when he bravely dived in to block Lee Mair’s attempted 14-yard drive.

However, the former Oldham star was in the wars on 27 when he picked up a knock in a no-holds-barred challenge with Darren Mackie.

Mehmet then blew another golden opportunity on the half-hour. Dorman headed down to the former Dunfermline player, but he skied it over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

Six minutes later, Saints carved out another great chance. This time it was Dargo who tested the Dons keeper with a ferocious 20-yard volley, which Langfield did well to hold.

Four minutes before the break, Miller went down in the box under a challenge from Haining but despite some vehement protests, whistler Collum screamed no penalty!

However, Dons did edge ahead moments later. Haining lost the ball in his own half and when it eventually found its way into the box, Ross headed into the path of Mackie who drilled home from eight yards.

Saints had a major let-off in the opening minutes of the second period. Derek Young crossed temptingly from the right and it evaded Howard, but there was no one in a red shirt waiting to take advantage.

However, the Love Street side went agonisingly close on 50 minutes. Dorman sprinted into the box and his cross eluded Langfield – and appeared to be heading in – before Lee Mair headed clear.

And just a few minutes later, Dorman again hit the by-line, only for Foster to get back and clear the danger.

Dons fought back and danger-man Mackie got on the end of a Young cross, only to see Howard push his effort clear.

The action reached fever pitch on the hour. Lee Miller was warned for a late challenge on Dorman and many in the near 5,000 crowd thought ref Collum should’ve flashed a yellow card.

But just moments later, Craig Dargo was lucky to stay on the field when he lashed out at Mair, after the Aberdeen star had hauled him down. Dargo was booked for kicking the Dons defender.

Dorman then had a pop at goal from 22 yards before Aberdeen’s Miller was embroiled in yet more controversy.

He strode into the box and was fairly challenged by impressive sub Scott Cuthbert but he went down looking for a spot-kick and was rightly yellow carded.

Saints took control in the final minutes and a Dorman drive ended up on the TOP of the net, before the Chester-born attacking midfielder again roared into the box and got a shot on target.

Billy Mehmet went close with an injury-time header but unfortunately for Buddies fans it sailed inches over his own bar!

The final piece of action saw Dorman booked for a retaliatory shove on Mark Kerr, who also saw yellow.