Tony McInally had warned his team before the match that St Anthony's would be up for this game. The 3-0 loss to the Bon Accord in the EMIRATES SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP three weeks ago had not gone down well at McKenna Park and the manager was well aware that the Ants would be hunting in packs in their efforts to make amends in this league match.

From the kick off Ants showed they wanted to play hardball. Knowing Shotts like a bit of time to play the sweet game, they got stuck in and where skill and application were not sufficient to win the ball, well we're all big boys here, a little nudge here, an over-enthusiastic elbow there, general roughhouse tactics were employed to unsettle the visitors. None of this came as a surprise of course; it's how they have played in all four games so far this season so the intimidation tactics didn't work this time and soon the Bon Accord were demonstrating the fact that our players are better than theirs. It was virtually one-way traffic for the opening half hour as Shotts flashed the ball all over the park, looking for ways to breech their defence.

However, a couple of half-decent chances came and went until the Bon Accord got a corner in the 21st minute after the keeper had pushed Boyack's effort over the bar. Mark Ferguson put the ball on Darren Ferguson's head and Daz finished brilliantly for the opener.

Eight minutes later with Shotts still well in charge Mark Duffy, running on to a great through ball, slid the ball past the outrushing keeper and attempted to follow it to clip it into the net. The keeper had other ideas and he straight-armed the striker who collapsed in a heap, Clear penalty kick and red card for the baddie! John Boyack, if we want to make excuses, had an eternity to wait before replacement keeper Mathers could take up his position between the sticks. How else can we explain the worst penalty kick he has ever taken for the Bon Accord. Mathers was down to his right waiting for the shot for about a minute before it got to him.

Shotts must have thought, despite the skipper's miss, the game was in the bag. Big mistake. Ants started to get back into it although their only real chance of the first half came in the 42nd minute when a too cocky Craig Brown spilled a shot and while he managed to grab the ball before anything untoward could happen, that's the kind of meat St Anthony's feed on: B McDonald was in with a wild lunge which if he had connected would have discomfited the keeper more than somewhat. Daz Fergie took umbrage and had a go at the felon but he should have waited a lot longer for his revenge before lifting his hands. His rude attack was rewarded with the predictable theatrical response on the part of the attacker but Daz was very fortunate to avoid a red card.

The second half was uncomfortable viewing for the Bon Accord; the Ants showed that they have the heart to take on better football teams and without really bothering Brown they had most of the play, far too much for a team down to 10 men. Shotts still had the better chances but up front was a wilderness area apart from a really good chance for Boyack after 75 minutes. Mathers again did very well to get down smartly to keep his shot out.

The Ants, for all their spirit, were never going to score from open play; they are just not good enough up front to get the better of the likes of Brown, McStay and the Fergusons, but who can legislate for madness? To give him the benefit of the doubt, sub David Taylor surely can't have meant to take out Madden who was going nowhere from an offside position but there was clear contact and Madden himself scored from the spot to ruin the Bon Accord's day in the 80th minute.

1-1 against a team like St Anthony's is simply not good enough, according to manager Tony McInally and after the match he and his coaches expressed disappointment at his team's lack of ability to deal appropriately with the Ants's 10 men after the interval. Truly disappointing stuff against a team whose best players are at the back. In other words, get in front and you should never be caught.

I can't remember who said after the final whistle if Shotts could marry their footballing skills and ability to the Ants's heart for the game we'd be out of sight at the top of the league but they were probably right. Compliments to them for demonstrating how far you can go with the right attitude. Their manager deserves tribute for building such a successful outfit.