DUFC 1 ICT 1

A point gained or two points dropped?

Hard to say really but a draw was probably the fair result, although we could and probably should have had the game won in the first half.

What a change in a year though. This time last season both teams were sitting top of the league and flying. This year saw two equally poor sides contest what ultimately became a drab, lifeless game with no spark and very little quality.

We were the better team in the first half and came flying out the blocks. We created chances, we played some nice stuff and some players really performed well, including Darko Bodul who actually looked like a player. Billy McKay was terrific, leading the line and bossing the ICT back four. Even Sean Dillon was skinning players down the line. John Rankin was sensational in that period, driving the team forward and he should have scored a second after McKay's bundled finish but hit straight at the keeper.

Second half was awful by both teams. They scored from a corner (obviously) and, although I felt they were the better team second half with Christie pulling the strings, they only really had one other chance that Zwick spooned away. After that it was a whole lot of nothing by both teams.

Dare I say we tired? Not according to Jackie, who in the programme notes stated that fitness was not an issue. I would suggest that the evidence is to the contrary.

I was frustrated by a few things on Saturday. Firstly the subs weren't properly used. Spittal didn't make any kind of contribution but in his defence I don't think he's much of an impact sub. Dow should have been off earlier, Bodul certainly could have come off earlier. I'd have liked to have seen Connolly on for a little creative spark but it looked like Jackie was happy with the point.

The second thing was the referee. I thought he was dreadful. I'm not sure how Draper stayed on the park for the 90 as he should have been off a couple of times. There was a foul by Christie just on half time that was the clearest yellow you've ever seen but he let him away with it. He gave us a few decisions too so I'm not saying he was biased, just awful.

Anyway, a point against ICT isn't normally the worst thing but we really, really need to start putting wins together. Dunfermline tomorrow night genuinely worries me and I wouldn't be surprised to see us crash out of the cup. And even then I wouldn't be surprised if Jackie kept his job...

On the plus side, I predicted 1-1 on BTG's predictor. Every cloud has a silver lining...