Saints miss out
FRUSTATION and disappointment barely described the atmosphere in Paisley last night as St Mirren missed out on the last 16 by a solitary goal. Leading by three at half-time, it seemed certain they would score just as many in the second half, but they failed in their mission and Ayr United joined group winners Hamilton in round two.
Manager Alex Rae was flummoxed that a penalty was not awarded when Lawrence Shankland was barged off the ball by Gordon Donaldson just before half-time.
He added: “We created numerous chances and my only criticism of the boys was that they were not clinical enough.
“Outwith that we had efforts cleared off the line, so it’s disappointing to get nine points and not progress. It’s a sore one to take but it puts us in good stead for next week, when we have a tough task against our local rivals.”
There were positives, as Lewis Morgan and Tom Walsh were terrific in the wide areas, with Walsh grabbing his first goal for the club in between Shankland’s header and Jack Baird’s strike.
Morgan teased and tormented Edinburgh City for most of the day and set up the opening goal after 12 minutes, crossing from the right side of the City box to the back post, where Lawrence Shankland scored a simple header.
Shankland should have notched a second goal after 25 minutes, when David Clarkson cleverly headed Morgan’s cross back across goal, but the striker headed straight at goalkeeper Calum Antell.
The Aberdeen loanee, however, made amends five minutes later when he burst forward to release Walsh on the left side, who cut inside onto his right foot to drill a low shot into the left corner.
There was some controversy over the third goal, on 33 minutes, as referee Steven Kirkland allowed play to continue while City captain Mark McConnell lay injured in the penalty area as Saints pushed and probed for an opening.
They got it when Shankland’s shot was deflected into the path of Baird, up after a corner, who fired a low shot in from 12 yards.
The scene was set, it seemed, for more of the same in the second half but the Paisley side could not find that final goal.
The debut of Craig Beattie for the League Two side was certainly uneventful, although he had only trained once with his new side.
Ten years ago he faced St Mirren in different circumstances. The days of coming on as Celtic unveiled their championship flag and then being part of a league and cup double are long gone, but his experience will surely be invaluable in City’s first League Two campaign.