November has proved to be as tough as we thought it would be, with just one point gained from games against the Old Firm and Hibs - although it's a point more than I thought we'd get!
As expected, we went with the tried and not very useful 4-5-1, Garry Brady replacing Michael Higdon. For once, it did its job and we didn't lose an early goal. We did, however, lose a player when Andy Dorman had to be replaced by Higdon after 20 minutes. The midfielder was injured, which could be far more damaging than the defeat.
We managed to frustrate the hosts until six minutes before half time, Samaras playing in McDonald who shot past Paul Gallacher with the help of a deflection. The floodgates threatened to open moments later when Higdon gave away possession to allow Aiden McGeady to set-up Samaras for the second.
However, the big striker was able to redeem himself before the break, Marc Crosas producing some comical defending that Higdon pounced on to fire home his first league goal for the club.
Sadly, that was as close as we were to get, McDonald volleying home at the near post after an hour to wrap things up. The Aussie could have had a hat-trick but had a goal ruled out for offside before Gallacher brilliantly saved a stoppage time penalty after an Innes hand ball. The Saints defender was sent off for what referee Steve Conroy thought was a second booking - before being welcomed back on when he realised it was the stopper's first yellow card.
Perhaps our thoughts that referees are biased against us when we play Celtic aren't unfounded after all!