Accies Post-Match Verdict

One word summed the afternoon up for Graham Roberts. “Gutted. Tthat is all I can say. I’ve been involved in some games where we have thrown leads away but that takes it all. We were two nil up and cruising when we gave the game away with sloppy goals.”

“We told them they were good at set pieces but the back three today didn’t command their areas today and for all that Cherrie was good last week he was poor today. The midfield started running and not passing and Tom Brighton does all the hard work and misses the target.”

Graham Roberts was disappointed but not downhearted, “The boys are gutted at failing to win, but we move on. We didn’t get beat and will now prepare properly for Gretna. We’ve watched them now four times they are a strong side and one that will be competing in the First Division next season, so it will be a huge test for the boys.”

Pressed on the controversial incident at the end when it seemed to most in the crowd that Ref Stuart Dougal was set to send off Accies key defender Mark McLaughlin, Roberts commented: “I spoke to Stuart and he said he saw it as a foul and nothing else. What makes it difficult of course is that last week we had a player sent off for a double booking which we felt was very harsh. We therefore were missing a vital player today. I feel if Craig McKeown had been playing today then I doubt if we would have lost those goals. The lack of consistency is a frustration but you just have to respect the decisions and move on.”

Hamilton’s management team were obviously pleased with the outcome. George Fairley commented about future transfer activity: “We’re at the advanced stages of bringing in another player and Paddy will be staying to the end of the season, that is a solution that pleases all parties. Meanwhile it is likely that McLeod and Stevenson will go out on loan.”

Meanwhile Accies’ boss Billy Reid focussed on the game: “I’m pleased at the comeback. The first half was fairly even then a deflected shot put us behind. We decided to change it at half time and played three at the back. We got a penalty, missed it and then almost immediately conceded a second and I was wondering if it was going to be our day.”

“I have to say that I don’t blame Brian for the miss. It was a great save by the keeper and all credit to him. However at two down we took the ascendancy, got the goals but I’m disappointed that we let them back into the game. However all credit to the team. I asked them at the break to show character and they did it with a great comeback.”

Former Clyde player Brian Carrigan also spoke to the media. “It was my first-ever penalty miss in my entire career, but it hasn’t out me off taking them in the future. Going two behind though made it worse but we showed great resilience to fight back.”