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Our 30^th match of the season was plagued by call offs before we even arrived at Hazlehead to face Cornhill Thistle. G.Woods, Shaw, Wood and Andrews were all unavailable, and so we only had 13 to choose from. The line up sent out was Michie, N.Milne, Marlow, Robertson, Fulton, Keith, E.Milne, Morgan, M.Woods, Graham and Merchant. Subs were Sim and England. The team was reminded that our recent performances were simply not acceptable and a 100% improvement would be required if we were to take anything from tonight's game. A granite hard park which was dusty into the bargain would ensure that the bounce of the ball would be unpredictable at best. Thistle had their veteran striker in the team, a lad who over the years has caused us problems with his height, however it must be said that our central defence kept him at bay. Credit in the main for that goes to Robertson who was more like himself tonight. The majority of the first half belonged to the visitors and they were the side causing problems in an attacking sense. Our back four were doing very well against opposition who were constantly pressing forward. Michie was sending long balls forward at every opportunity in the hope of some respite, unfortunately we were unable to hold the ball up and far too often it was coming straight back at us (H.T.0-0). At the break the need to hold the ball up front was emphasised in an effort to pressure the visitors we had to keep possession. Credit early on to the lads as we burst into the second period. We controlled the opening 10-15 minutes during which time we opened up the visitors defence. However never really asked any questions of their keeper. Finally as time went on it was centre back Robertson who was first to test the custodian, forcing him into a comfortable stop following a corner. Michie turned an effort over his bar in 60 minutes as Thistle came back into it. In the 70th minute we produced a sweeping move which should have at least convinced any doubters that we could in fact go on and win this match instead of simply playing not to lose it! Keith N.Milne and Merchant combined to set up a half chance for Graham. His parting shot was turned away for a corner, however it was the ease of the move that should have lifted us. The match at this stage had the makings of a nil nil draw written all over it as we entered into the closing stages. Indeed Michie remarked that he had not played in many scoreless draws in his long illustrious career. With only five minutes remaining then, the keeper was to eat his words. A long through ball should have been gathered by the born again New Yorker. Instead he pulled out of it a bit and failed to collect. The ball fell sweetly to the feet of an opponent who had an easy task of rolling it into the net. We still had time to salvage something and set about that task straight from the kick off. A fabulous move involving 4 or 5 players ended with Robertson who had been sent forward, nodding a good ball down for Graham. He woosed a shot softly at the keeper and our chance was gone. As we continued to chase the game Thistle stormed up the park and had 5 or 6 players facing our back 3. A low drive was well stopped by Michie however he could not hold on to it and it was slid home to put the nail in our coffin. (F.T.0-2) Disappointing to say the least, after a solid defensive display to lose out at the end was sickening. In truth we lacked anything up front tonight not just in goal threat but more so in our inability to hold the ball up and lay it off, which meant we were constantly under the cosh as the ball was coming straight back at us. We now have 10 matches to salvage something from. It is still very possible to finish in the top half perhaps even the top third and that is what we must all aim for. Hallitopman this evening goes to Craig Robertson who was back to his best.