McMenamin: We rode our luck but grit earned replay

STENHOUSEMUIR boss Colin McMenamin admits they rode their luck at times but was full of praise for his players after they earned a William Hill Scottish Cup fourthround replay against Aberdeen.

Max Lowe’s 21st-minute goal looked to have put Ladbrokes Premiership high-fliers Aberdeen on course for an expected victory at Pittodrie. However, League One strugglers Stenhousemuir upset the odds by snatching a 71st-minute equaliser through Mark McGuigan and then held on to secure a 1-1 draw.

McMenamin, who admitted his side could have fallen to a heavy defeat, said: “It maybe didn’t go completely to plan. We rode our luck a couple of times in the second half, but the boys worked hard and in the first half I don’t think Aberdeen had many shots.

“In the second half Aberdeen came out at us but we weathered the storm and scored a fantastic goal, so we’re obviously delighted.

“We knew we wouldn’t get a lot of chances so we worked on crossing and finishing on Thursday and fortunately big Mark [McGuigan] has done it for me.”

McMenamin only took over as manager of the League One basement boys in November, and his side came into yesterday’s clash having picked up just one point from their last five matches.

The former Dundee and Livingston striker hopes this result will spark a change of fortune and help them close the three-point gap to safety. He added: “We have had a difficult first half to the season, a lot of changes, but we have to build on that now.

“I’m delighted for the supporters. We don’t normally have many travelling with us but it was around 300 today, and I’m delighted for them. I’m sure the board will tell me how delighted they are as well.”

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was more relieved than angry, as his side remain in the draw for the next round. He said: “We had the bulk of possession and the best chances, but you just felt we weren’t doing enough to win.

“It was a disjointed performance. We brought moments of quality to the game but it was too sporadic.

“You have to praise Stenhousemuir. They stuck to their game plan. We looked rusty, our decision-making was poor and we never looked sharp.

“It’s always my concern after the winter break that we are ready to go again, but when the goals don’t come, it gives them (the opposition) the belief. Stenhousemuir deserved their replay. I wish we could play it tomorrow to get it out our system, but the credit belongs to them.”