Strachan's Ginger Reaction

Last updated : 17 March 2002 By Christian Kelly
Gordon Strachan was a very happy manager at being awarded a late penalty. While Dave Bassett must have been having a fit, Marians Pahars slotted the ball past Ian Walker to level the game. Gordon said: "I don't think anyone saw the penalty apart from the guy that gave it. I honestly didn't see it - but I'm very glad it was given. It was what we needed, because their second goal was a freak goal. I'm really happy we stuck to our gameplan and knocked it about. It would have been easy to throw the gameplan out of the window and panic - but with the chances we made, we probably deserved to win the game."

Unsurprisingly Dave Bassett was less than pleased at the games outcome. Saints were nowhere near as creative in the second half as they had been in the first and Leicester looked likely to hang on for all three points. Bassett said: "The referee said someone's shirt was pulled and it was clear - but he told the players it was (Lee) Marshall and told me it was Elliott.

"We're very disappointed to be 2-1 up and fairly comfortable - and then to have such a contentious penalty. I don't know if anyone apart from the referee saw it.

"I feel we've been robbed of victory. It's a cruel blow when you're down there and trying to get a victory. Players get despondent after things like that.

"If we'd have got an extra two points, we'd have got a lift - but we just can't seem to get the break. We're destined to be relegated, but we'll keep pushing on. We've got to win every game now."