Peterhead produced a season’s best performance but were disappointed to only take one point after a 1-1 draw with FC Edinburgh at Balmoor.
Only some great goalkeeping from Robbie Mutch in the FC Edinburgh goal kept the team from the capital in it.
Peterhead manager Jim McInally, while gutted with only getting a point, was delighted with the performance, saying: “I think that’s the best we have played this season.
“I said to the players at half-time, it’s the most comfortable I’ve been watching them.
“I’m gutted for them to be honest. Against a team that are at the top of the league, I just felt we played better than them, had more shots at goal – we were nice and comfortable.”
Even after Julien Carre was sent off for two quickfire bookings, Jim still felt there was no panic, adding, “Even with 10 men, I thought we were ok, we still passed it well and defended well enough.
“I don’t think Tom’s really had a shot to save in the whole match.
“The attitude was spot on, they did everything we asked them to do on Thursday night. I came away from training on Thursday night thinking that’s the best it’s been.”
Both teams started brightly and FC Edinburgh’s Ousman See should have done better when he was left in acres of space, but the striker managed to push a volley over the bar.
A Peterhead trialist then saw a shot brilliantly saved by Mutch. From the resulting corner, Ryan Strachan was close to giving the Blue Toon the lead, but his close range header crept wide.
FC Edinburgh’s Innes Murray thought he had edged the visitors in front when his left-footed drive beat Tom Ritchie, but unfortunately cannoned back off the post.
Peterhead started the second half in determined mood and Jack Brown went close from a tight angle, Mutch in the Edinburgh goal producing another great save.
But Brown put the home team in front with a cool finish on 54 minutes after Ryan Dow had threaded a great ball through.
Peterhead’s Carre was then sent off for two yellow cards in just three minutes. before FC Edinburgh equalised when Danny Handling expertly finished after Ritchie had failed to clear his lines.
Returning midfielder Andy McCarthy, out for three months with an ankle injury, came on for the last 20 minutes and was a welcome sight for McInally.
McCarthy was delighted to be back himself, and said of his and the team’s performance: “I’m obviously delighted to be back, it’s been a long time. It’s taken a wee while, but us football players just want to be out on the pitch, so it’s great.
“I thought the boys were really good today and are getting a lot lot better than from maybe the start of the season. We are looking like we are improving as a team, which is obviously what you want.
“We probably should have won today – Handling’s produced a good finish.”
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