"They asked me to go to a summit last Sunday and I'm glad I didn't go," joked Jim McInally, the East Stirlingshire manager, when he was asked for his thoughts on the performance of Thomas Robertson, the referee.
The referee had booked five of his players, sent off one after a second booking and according to the manager, denied his side a "stonewall penalty". While the display of the aforementioned official was hardly faultless, a sense of disbelief at the result itself was detected in the manager's mischievous riposte.
Why? His team dominated a match against the league leaders, failing to collect three points in the process. Moreover, his front line had failed to convert a collection of chances that would have sealed a surprise victory. David Dunn and Mark McKenzie were the culprits with the latter placing his header past the post when the goal was unprotected.
Opting not to lament the profligacy of his forwards, McInally was quick to highlight the progress that his side have made this season. After all, they have moved up to fifth place in the league and remain unbeaten in their last eight fixtures. Stenhousemuir remain top of the division, four points clear of Montrose and Cowdenbeath.
John Coughlin, the manager of Stenhousemuir, said "In the first half I thought we were a bit intimidated by them and we didn't stand up to them very well. They are a good physical side."
Quickly, East Stirlingshire seized the initiative and it was apparent Stenhousemuir simply could not deal with the visitors' game plan, despite its simplicity. When the home side had the ball, McInally's men retreated behind it, harrying their opposition into surrendering possession before counter attacking ambitiously, pouring men forward.
The movement of Brian Graham, the forward on- loan from Morton, was of a particular threat to the Stenhousemuir defence. After almost half an hour, an intelligent pass from Andy Rogers found Graham and he finished with ease from 10 yards.
Shortly after the interval, Scott Dalziel equalised with a mazy run and shot that sneaked under Jamie Barclay, the opposing goalkeeper.
"I've got to hold my hands up and say I let them down today by causing the goal. Its not often you play the top team and feel aggrieved you didn't win," conceded Barclay.
The match had started at a frantic pace with players ploughing into tackles and it became apparent it would not end with 10 outfield players on each side. This was realised in the final moments when Paul Hay was dismissed for East Stirlingshire.
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