Manager Post Hamilton

15/12/12: JJ - "Hamilton take credit for us making it difficult for us....

MATCH PICTURES
Jim Jefferies felt that nothing went for his team against Hamilton Accies:-

"They could have hit us on the break and we were lucky at times when they had a couple of great chances. There was one that hit the post but before that we had started the second half really well. Dargo's chance took a bobble as he struck it after being put through. Josh was unlucky - the goalie had a good save and Jordan McMillan shanked one from a similar position.

"It was a game where both teams had chances. When we were pushing there was always the danger that they might go up the park and score. One of their boys reaction was as if he had made a bad pass to the striker and it was a bad pass but lucky for him it went to another player who couldn't believe that he was on his own. That was just before the final whistle blew and it was a good save from Michal (Hrivnak).

"It is frustrating because the players gave their all to try and win the game and you couldn't fault them, they kept pushing, kept probing as we went 4-2-4. We had Josh Falkingham and Alex Whittle wide and the two strikers; we were doing everything to try and get the result.

"Hamilton came here with a game plan, defended really well and made it difficult for us.  They were set up to keep us out and they did that. Lets remember that we were playing against a team that had beaten both  Partick and Morton last month. I had said to the players that it wasn't going to be easy and no push over. Over the ninety minutes we were the most forceful team. Lets be honest we were so far ahead in the first twenty minutes but then they hit us with a killer goal with their first shot on target.

"Barrowman should have put us 1-0 up, he had more time than he thought he had. He snatched at it first time yet he scored with a harder chance from the cut back. The players are frustrated, you could see that in the players in the dressing room. It is not as if you could say that they played badly, they gave everything, played some really good football, they passed the ball about well and it was just one of those days where it wasn't for us.

"Hamilton can take credit for making it difficult for us. When things are like that with a lot of balls played in and around the box you are looking for a wee break. Nothing fell for us today. If we hit a free kick in there it was bouncing about, a great corner came in from Stevie Jordan in the second half that Barrowman flicked on. You are looking for it to fall to somebody following up but it fell for them all the time. That's the way it goes."

The Manager praised his players for their attitude in the face of financial troubles off the park:-

"They came out here today and not let it that affect them. It is never easy for them, they are struggling because they get their wages in dribs and drabs. At this time of year it speaks volumes for their will that they even turn up. They do not deserve any criticism whatsoever because they are doing everything they can. They gave their all despite the cloud hanging over them. They are not using that as an excuse, they are just trying to do the best they can because they are professional footballers trying to win a match.

"There cannot be any complaints about this team's attitude and the way they try to play their game. We try and play it the right way, they are good to watch and it is great the effort that they put in. Okay if it is not your day that is not a reason to go and criticise them. They are as hurt as everybody because they have a desire to win every game. That is not going to happen. You are not going to win every game; there will be points won and lost between now and the end of the season. There are a lot of tough matches coming up and at the end of the day we were 1-0 down and came back and showed character. We were unlucky not to win it but could have lost it due to one or two decent breakaways from Hamilton."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid felt that it was a difficult game to assess after scoring from what he noted as his team's first forage up front-

"It was a smashing goal, a great goal and a great finish by Stevie May. We weren't dominating the game but we looked pretty comfortable at that stage. The only problems were from long balls over the top but we held that well. Then there was the decision when Dargo was through one on one, was he offside? It was marginal I will say that. I have no complaints from the referee and officials today I thought they were brilliant.

"I don't think we started the second half well at all but then we got a grip of the centre of the park and over the ninety minutes we probably had better chances than Dunfermline to win the game. We missed one or two real snips and we hit the post to see it run along the line. Gary Fisher went through one on one twice but took the wrong options. Louis Longridge could have rolled the ball across as well but we have not done that.

"We will take the point although we had chances to win the game. We are getting better as the season goes on; our two centre backs are solid, Alex Neil is doing really well in front of them. We broke well and showed some real purpose - that is the pleasing thing for us."

MATCH PICTURES

MATCH REPORT: 15/12/12 Dunfermline 1 Hamilton 1