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Player availability was yet again a problem this afternoon with Andrews, England, Murdoch, S.Mitchell, Graham, Morgan and G.Woods all unavailable! We travelled to Shedocksley to take on McTeagle in the 2cnd round of the National Scottish cup. None signed players are eligible to take part in this particular competition and so we took advantage of that ruling and seconded Ian Mitchell from F.C.Charlotte. He was slotted in at right back in front of Michie in goal and alongside Fulton, Robertson and Sim in defence. Keith, E.Milne, Stubbs and N.Milne were in midfield with Anderson and M.Woods paired up front. Player manager Marlow was on the bench with every intention of taking part at some stage as this was his 900^th appearance for the club. Halli started strongly and surged forward, we put together a number of good moves but then after only 6 mins. McTeagle were gifted the lead. Newcomer Mitchell and Michie combined to set up the opener. Mitchell heading back to the keeper but Michie was already hairing off his line and the ball was header straight past him into the path of a forward. In typical Mitchell style he did his best to retreave the situation and almost halved the attacker from the back but the ball went into the net. We did however get right back into it with a well taken goal from E.Milne. The midfielder rising well, albeit unmarked, to head home a great M.Woods inswinging free kick. We kept attacking and went in front in 15 minutes when Anderson showed class and experience as he controlled a ball into the box sent the defender a sweet dummy then stroked it into the net. Soon after this our legendary overlapping centre back Robertson had an excellent opportunity to score when he made a good run into the box prior to falling over as he went to make the shot. In 20 mins M.Woods increased the lead. Michie sent out a long clearance which N.Milne superbly chested into the path of Anderson. He in turn delivered a perfect through pass for M.Woods who fired home. McTeagle then had two players injured when they ran into each other then Stubbs came close with a rasping drive from the edge of the box. At this point we seemed to be in control then inexplicably we fell right out of the game. Michie had to pull off two stunning saves to keep us in the match as we stumbled about in front of him vainly trying to defend. (H.T. 1-3) Coasting ? Our passing was now tragic and indeed was to get worse! McTeagle pulled one back early into the half with a well struck drive from a tight angle on the right. Robertson then restored our 2 goal advantage with a sort of header off a great corner from M.Woods. Marlow came on for the injured Stubbs just in time to see Michie begin his horror half hour. Fulton headed back a pretty easy ball but not for the first time in the match the keeper had raced forward into no mans land. Marlow got back but was off balance and could not clear as a forward forced it over the line. Fulton then grabbed his first club goal off yet another M.Woods cross, a corner in from the right. The keeper allowing it to whistle past him and Fulton headed in off the underside of the bar. Michie then produced a moment to forget when he strolled forward to take a rolling ball into his arms, it went straight through his hand and straight through his legs setting up yet another superb goal for McTeagle. The script was by now written and the home side levelled when the right winger was given far too much room and he fired low past a by now disconsolate Michie. We were rocking but it was not because of the introduction of Ex Halli trialist—Cyberpet Barry Sim. It was more to do with our own inept performance which looked likely with every minute would be our down fall. We looked uncomfortable on the ball all over the park, with passes going astray al the time. Prior to McTeagles equaliser M.Woods had been sent clear but failed one on one when he chipped too early and sent it past the post. (F.T.5-5). This was a game where both defences were completely on top!!! It would be far too easy to point the finger at our keeper who would be (or should be) first to admit that he has had better games! This is a team game which we win lose or draw together. On this occasion our passing and general lack of commitment particularly in the second half let us down and inevitably cost us the tie. We will have it all to do again next week when we meet McTeagle in the replay. A much improved performance will be both expected and required. Not one of our players did enough to pick up our Topman award next week everyone should be giving 100% to ensure they pick up the accolade.