Saints ‘should not have lost’

Feb 15 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

FRUSTRATED Gus MacPherson admitted Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Dundee United was a game his Buddies should never have lost.

The St Mirren manager, right, admitted it was “galling” to see three precious league points slip out of his side’s hands after two late goals from United sunk them at home.

He said: “We should have won the game but Dundee United went back up the road with three points.

“That’s the galling thing because after playing so well we got ourselves into a winning position and created some really good opportunities in the first half, and could have been a couple of goals ahead.

“Then, after half-time, we got the leading goal and it was a great one from Michael Higdon.

“It was thoroughly deserved because it got us into a good position and we just wanted the players to continue to do what they were doing.

“But Dundee United scored with their first shot on our goal in the second half.

“And at the second goal we were about 20 yards from their goal with a throw-in deep in their corner, but 30 seconds later we lost the three points.

“It’s frustrating because we have been in this position before, when we get the first goal and can’t see the game out.”

MacPherson admitted that crucial mistakes at key times were instrumental in St Mirren’s downfall.

He said: “My frustration is that we did not see the game out because we played so well, got into that winning position and thoroughly deserved to be there.

“But when we got into that position, there was a moment of slackness and a shot from nothing hit the back of the net.

“And we made another crucial mistake where we allowed Dundee United the opportunity to put ball into our danger area.

“We had dealt with that so well for 99 per cent of the game but at that crucial time we allowed them that opportunity – and they made the most of it.”

l Match report – Page 19