Managers Post Stirling

19/03/11 JM:- "There will be points dropped even though we wouldn't like to drop any. We want to win every game but as soon as you start thinking about the next eight games you are in trouble

MATCH PICTURES
Jim McIntyre was delighted with the three points his side took from the 4-1 win over Stirling Albion:-

"When you see in midweek how well we've played and come away with one point. We didn't play as well today, managed to get the three and scored four goals. Football is a funny game at times but obviously there were a lot of decisions out there that influenced the game.

"The game is definitely changing and there seems to be bookings willy-nilly now for innocuous challenges but you have just got to get on with it - the referee has made his decisions and you have just got to adapt to that."

Asked is he was concerned that the referee might try to even things up a bit after he had dispatched two Stirling men to the stand in two minutes, Macca replied:-

"You are always worried about that. The players were well warned to stay on your feet and don't be giving the referee any decisions to make. He chose to send Mason off when he has won the ball but he has left the ground. It is a decision that he has made, we didn't think it was a red card - the referee does but the bottom line is that it is his decision and you just have to get on with the game. Stirling had to take two red cards before that. You adapt to it, you get on with it and you just try to do as well as you can."

The first penalty was given against Martyn Corrigan on the half hour and the ex Motherwell defender was red carded:-

"If it is a penalty, he has pulled him down denying a goalscoring opportunity by the letter of the law. The second one he was going away from goal so I think that's why he has not given a red card for the second one. You would need to ask the referee."

Having dropped two points on Tuesday, the three today were a relief but Macca warned that there will be more ups and downs to come:-

"People think that if we have Stirling at home you are guaranteed three points but it couldn't be further from the truth. It is such a tough league; teams are well organised and up for the battle. Teams are fighting at both ends, everybody has their own cause to fight and it will be like that until the end of the season. It is about who manages to get the points. There are another eight games still to go and the topsy turvy nature of this league makes it very difficult for ourselves and the press to read into anything that is going to happen.

"There will be points dropped even though we wouldn't like to drop any. We want to win every game but as soon as you start thinking about the next eight games you are in trouble. You take one at a time and we now focus on Dundee who are 21 games unbeaten. It is a fantastic job that Barry is doing up there and it will be a tough, tough place to go. We drew up there earlier in the season after being two goals ahead. There is plenty fighting spirit up there and we need to be well prepared for that."

Stirling Albion manager Jocky Scott chose his words carefully:-

"Every week we seem to be involved in situations where decisions go against us; it costs us players and we just get players back and other ones are out. It is very very frustrating. Today until the first penalty kick I thought we played really well. We were sticking to the game plan, players did great, we were frustrating Dunfermline and we were getting up the park. After the penalty the game got spoilt and the game plan was out the window.

"It had the makings of a good game, unfortunately it got spoiled. The referee will not talk to anybody other than tell you if you say another word you will be up in the stand; that is what we are up against. I cannot say anything or I get myself in trouble."