What a sickener, says Gallacher

Feb 1 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

GUTTED goalkeeper Paul Gallacher admitted that Saturdays cruel 2-1 SPL defeat away to Hibs was a real St Mirren sickener.

Gallacher and his Buddies were sunk at Easter Road when vice-skipper Jack Ross headed an Ian Murray cross into his own net.

The goal came three minutes into stoppage time and was the hammer blow to St Mirrens hopes of gaining what would have been a deserved share of the points.

Sol Bamba slid the ball past his own goalkeeper to give Gus MacPhersons side a tenth minute lead but Hibs midfielder Liam Miller levelled matters after 33 minutes.

And despite being hemmed in for long periods of the second half, Saints looked on course for a draw.

But John Hughes side posted a last-gasp win when unfortunate defender Ross glanced home Murrays left-wing cross to hand the Hibees all three points in the cruellest possible manner.

Gutted Buddie Gal admitted the weekend defeat in the capital was a bitter pill to swallow.

He said: There is never a nice way to lose games but that was quite sickening actually.

And I am devastated because we put so much into the game. We created chances ourselves and, like Hibs, we had a few near misses and suddently you think you are going to get away with it.

But to lose in that manner was absolutely sickening. We were all gutted in the dressing room.

Gallacher revealed that Ross was particularly distraught after the game.

He said: Jack was devastated. You see that kind of thing happening on the telly but you cant believe it is going to happen to you.

Its a hard one to take because the ball could have gone anywhere. I think Ian Murray just pinged the ball, and it was a hopeful ball, and Jack probably got the best connection on it. But it flew into the net.

We are just devastated, I cant put it into any other words.

Saints, however, held their own and gave the Easter Road outfit plenty to think about, especially in the first half when Billy Mehmet saw an effort narrowly miss the target.

Hibs however dominated the second half and just when it looked as though Saints had weathered the storm the unthinkable happened at the end.

Gutted Gallacher said: We had a few scares because Hibs are a good team going forward but we survived it and we defended really well.

You think today is going to be your day and you might even nick something at the end but to lose the game in that manner is so cruel. But thats football, it can be cruel at times.

l Match report: Page 19