On the day after Halloween there were plenty tricks and treats on offer for supporters of both sides at Memorial Park but it’s fair to say that the biggest treat came for the Hibs’ supporters as they witnessed Chris Ireland putting their favourites ahead with an absolute ‘Worldie’. And he followed this up with a penalty equaliser deep into stoppage time to salvage a point.
 
The first-half ended goal-less and this was mainly down to both goalies being at the top of their game.

This changed in the 69th minute when Mark Rowbotham launched a long ball downfield (see what I did there!). It was headed wide to relative safety (or so he thought) by The Spiders’ skipper, Andrew Ballantine.  Without hesitation, Ireland, who was almost on the touchline, volleyed the ball first time over the bemused head of Jamie Kelly for a goal that wasn’t bettered on Match of the Day later that night!

Ten minutes later, Scott Reynolds sent in a fierce low free-kick that Rowbotham could only parry and the alert Brian Clark was first to react as he lashed the loose ball into the net.

Five minutes from time, Reynolds put the visitors ahead with a scorching low drive and just when it looked as if this goal would be enough to secure all three points, Ross Morgan was downed in the area as he was poised to shoot. As a result, Ballantine got first shot of the hot water and Ireland sent Kelly the wrong way to earn the Hibs a point.
 
Final word goes to the referee, Mr Daniel Graves from Edinburgh. This was his first visit to Memorial Park and if he performs like this every week he’ll be very welcome back again.
 
Window Stores’ Hibs’ Man of the Match – Chris Ireland
 
Downfield: Kelly, Thomson, Smith, Ballantine, Archibald, Colquhoun, Hood, Lunan, Clark, Reynolds, Connell. Subs: Stewart, Rosscraig, Evans, Miller
 
Referee: Mr D. Graves