St Andrews United recent run of good results came to an abrupt end at Bo’ness United’s Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon. Saints failed to capitalise on the advantage of a strong wind during the first half and paid the price after the break, allied to some strange decisions saw the downfall of Gus Malones men.

Manager Malone was able to welcome Gary Sutherland back to the squad, after he missed the Newtongrange victory through work, however, the starting eleven was the same.

St Andrews started well enough and looked determined to take advantage of the wind and as early as the third minute Jamie Mackie forced Peat in to a fine save. Bo’ness broke when they could but found it difficult to get out of their own half thanks to the wind but in a rare break a Nicky Walker cross was turned behind by a great McMullan block. Kadela forced another good save from Peat on 25 minutes after he found space on the edge of the box. Barry Sibanda fancied his chances on the half hour when Saints were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal, wind assisted, he forced another quality save from Peat. Bo’ness took the lead against the run of play on 36 minutes. Walker set Anderson free on the right and his cross found Hislop, Wedderburn managed to block his intial effort but unfortunately the ball broke to the striker again and he scored with an audacious back heel to the far corner. Saints almost levelled straight away when a long Patrick throw found its way to the back post but Murphy managed to clear the ball off the line. Saints had the ball in the net on half time but Barry Sibanda was penalised for a foul on the keeper prior to Mackies tap in.

The home side took command of the second half right from the start. Cargill was forced in to a fine save to keep out a Stuart Devine free kick before Drummond headed of the line to deny Donnelly.  Bo’ness increased their lead on 58 minutes when Wedderburn was harshly penalised for handball in the box. Robert Sloan stepped up and slammed the ball home to make it 2-0. Saints manfully battled to get back in to the game and Sutherland was unlucky with a header from a McInnes corner. However, Bo’ness finished the game on 80 minutes when Anderson won the ball from Cargill in a challenge very similar to Sibanda’s but this time he was allowed to continue and knocked the ball home much to Saints annoyance.

A battling performance from Saints but in the end pointless, however, the fight goes on