Since manager Gus Malone took over the hotseat, St Andrews United’s form has resembled that of a rollercoaster, stringing two good performances together has been something of a challenge. Nothing changed at Albyn Park on Saturday as Saints went down 4-2 against Broxburn Athletic. Indifferent decisions from the officials didn’t help Uniteds cause but in honesty,over the 90 minutes, United got what the deserved from the game.

The manager was forced in to making changes with Chris Seeley on holiday which meant a reshuffle with Lee Sibanda returning to the starting line up. New signing Greg Whyte was given a place on the bench.

United settled quite well on the artificial surface and had two half chances in the first 5 minutes, the first falling to Sutherland the second to James Drummond, both went wide of the goal. The homeside took the lead in controversial circumstances on 12 minutes. A United clearance was lobbed back over the back line and with three players in offside positions, Keast was allowed to lob the ball over McEwan in to the net. Barry Sibanda was unlucky with a header from a Sutherland cross on 17 minutes but was luckier after 25 minutes. A poor clearance by Broxburn keeper Maley fell to Sutherland, his snapshot was blocked on the line but fell to Sibanda who rammed the ball home to equalise. Pittman should have put the home side back in front after 40 minutes but saw his header crash back off the bar.

Broxburn effectively won the game in the 5 minutes after half time. In another poor showing by the officials Cowan was allowed to Waltz through unchallenged before slipping the ball beyond McEwan. McEwan was then the director of his own downfall as he persued Gibson away from goal and fouled the Broxburn substitute giving the referee little option than award a spot kick. Cowan buried the kick to put the homeside 3-1 before the half time Bovril had gone cold. United pulled a goal back back on the hour, Kadela nodding the ball home from a McInnes corner. The homeside wrapped up the game on 85 minutes when Weir beat the defence before slotting the ball past McEwan. There was still time for another show of tomfoolery by the officials as a Wedderburn shot was handled on the line in clear view yet United appeals were waved away.

Saints : McEwan, McMullan, Wedderburn, Drummond, Patrick, Buchan (G Whyte), Sutherland, B Sibanda, L Sibanda (Mackie), McInnes, Kadela (Port)

Subs Not Used : Ramsay, T Whyte