Saints, had a great deal to prove to themselves and the fans. Coming off the back of a poor defeat at home on Saturday, it was a chance to quickly silence the critics.
The predicted shake up had occurred, with no sign of Lovering, and a return for Forsyth to left back. Ferry was dropped to the bench and Fotheringham started in the middle against his former team mates of last season.
The first minute was encouraging, a good move down the right ended up in a Parker beating his man before crossing for Mixu who failed to direct his headed effort on target. Yet, the tide turned very quickly, and before pre match tea and bovril had had a chance to cool, Brechin were ahead. The Saints players looked around at each other in total disbelief and the home support groaned quietly as the joy of the Brechin players echoed round the stands.
Saints had conceded a corner which was poorly cleared (again) and fell at the feet of the on loan Neil Jablonski who hit a low volley goalward which meandered through the majority of the two teams possibly deflecting beyond Cuthbert who for the third time in four days was retrieving the ball from his net.
The next thirty minutes was a full blooded assault on the Brechin goalmouth, yet there was a failure to turn the possession into anything more than chances. Dods, Mixu and Maxwell all weighed in with headed chances as Saints pushed forward. Fotheringham fired a couple of speculative long range shots at goal, including one chip that went close after Mixu had missed a Malone cross. Parker continued to look sharp and made space in the box after being set up by Bernard but sent a low shot just wide of the far post with Mixu being just a yard behind what could have been a tap in.
Yet still, Saints looked shaky under the counter attack. Brechin were well equipped with the long, gangly but totally skilful Chris Templemen, who exhibited a great touch and the ability to waltz in and out of lunging tackles. Dods was guilty of a sloppy pass back, which required a well timed tackle by Cuthbert in his own box to save any worse outcome.
In 32 mins, disaster struck as Saints conceded a penalty. A hopeful ball was sent towards Gibson, Maxwell hesitated and Gibson accelerated towards goal and the oncoming Cuthbert. He rounded and slipped the ball behind Cuthbert and although it now appeared Maxwell would recover, Cuthbert brought down the striker, and a stone wall penalty was awarded. Berchin’s Fotheringham stepped up to smash the ball into the right corner of the net leaving Cuthbert diving the wrong way and more moments of disbelief and contemplation filling the home fans and players alike.
Yet, cue Kenny Clark, cue controversy. Minutes later Parker rounded the Brechin keeper also to be pulled down. Penalty awarded. That was until the referees attention was directed to the East Stand linesman. After 5 minutes of arm waving, tussle and conflicting arguments, the referee reversed his decision and awarded a free kick to Brechin for either offside or a push by Mixu on the defender. Although, Parker could not have been offside as the header was by a Brechin defender and even despite the referee being much closer to the incident than the linesman. More dismay.
Half time brought more incident as an announcement was made for a qualified referee to replace one of the linesmen. (Perhaps the one who had overruled the penalty wanted to catch the first train out of Perth.)
The second half was a 45 minute barrage of attempts to break down the part timers defence. Chances were created falling to Mixu, Malone Parker and Donnelly, yet none were converted. Saints overall seemed overly predictable with the ball either being pumped straight at Mixu or quickly distributed out wide. The latter would result in hopefull balls into the middle which time and time again were brushed away by a defence who seemed little pressurised by such onslaught. Even when Hay replaced Dods, not much more improved and he failed to contribute anything of great note.
In the 89th minute, Saints did grab some consolation, Forsyth received a cleared ball, and from 30 yards floated a left footed chip over the Brechin keeper. This was some reward for their efforts, and perhaps Saints could have forced extra time when a Baxter cross was headed down by Mixu and fell to Malone, but on his weaker side he could only direct it into the back of the Ormond Stand.
All in all, Saints have now returned to reality. The team has persistently shown the same weaknesses. This area must be addressed before it is too late. Even if that means a loan player then so be it. The centre of defence has looked poor since day one. We played very well against QOS but still conceded a goal through the middle. Even though Stark may be waiting on McCLuskeys return, he is a player who is constantly battling injury. The team requires more strength there. Or even, why not put Robertson in the middle of defence and play Baxter at right back.
SAINTS: Cuthbert, Robertson, Forsyth, Donnelly, Dods, Maxwell, Parker, Fotheringham , Mixu, Bernard, Malone
SUBS: Nelson, Baxter, Stevenson, Ferry, Hay