St Andrews United overcame adversity by the bucket load at The Parkk, recording their second win of the season and remaining unbeaten following Saturdays 2-1 victory over Dundee Violet in the East Region Premier League.

Once more manager Phil McGuire had to deal with a depleted squad, Danny Dobie, Daryn Smith and Kamil Kadela all missing. On the plus side Greg Whyte returned to take up a left back in place of Dobie.

It was a tentative start to the half from both sides struggling against a blustery and swirling wind. Saints first chance came on 12 minutes when Deane managed to hold off Calum Cox before squaring for Buchan but the winger saw his shot brilliantly blocked by Henderson for a corner. Violet were given an opportunity on 14 minutes when Patrick was penalised for a trip but the free kick was straight at Clarkson from Mair. The visitors were enjoying a bit of pressure and Milton should have done better on 19 minutes when he fired well over the bar after a good run. Violet took the lead on 28 minutes. Mackie was forced in to conceding a free kick on the right hand side, Mair’s free kick was swung in and Barry Wilson lost his man at the back post and nodded the ball beyond Clarkson. Saints almost equalised straight away when a Buchan cross found Campbell at the back post but he headed wide. Mackie was booked on 36 minutes for a trip on Mair, however, it was obvious to all that no contact was made.

Saints responded well to McGuires half time words as they began to turn the Violet tide and put the visitors on the back foot. Paddy Deane headed wide on 55 minutes and then on the hour the big striker set Buchan free on the keeper but the Saints man shot straight at Thain in the Violet goal. Buchan was again guilty of a miss on 69 minutes after he was found by a raking pass from Greg Whyte. The game changed for United on 70 minutes. Deane went down under a challenge from Henderson and whilst the Saints man was on the ground the Violet man aimed several kicks at him, Deane pushed the full back away who went down holding his face theatrically. The referee reacted and showed both men a red card. Saints were awarded a free kick for the original challenge and when it came in Holden bundled the ball in to the back of the net. Saints now had their tails up and could smell blood as the visitors failed to adapt to the sending off. In the second minute of injury time Saints got there reward. McGuire fired a length of the park pass to the now advanced Sibanda and the big man managed to get his foot to the ball before keeper, Thain and poked the ball home.

A great battling performance from McGuires men once again coming from behind at home to get something from the game, this attitude is very quickly becoming a trait of the new St Andrews United, they never say die, long may it continue.