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Manager Paul Hartley and striker Rory McAllister spoke to the media after our 1-0 cinch League One victory over Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium.

Stuart McKenzie’s 86th minute long kick-out appeared to deceive Blue Toon opposite number Brett Long for the winner, although Rory claimed he actually got a touch on the ball before it went in.

Stuart also made a crucial late save, which ensured our recent unbeaten run was extended into the new year and we we were able to maintain our five point lead over second placed Montrose at the top of the table.

Paul said: “Sometimes you have to win ugly and I’m pleased we were able to do that.

“Give credit to Peterhead, it was a hard game for us because we weren’t at our best.

“But there are occasions when you just have to find a way to win and we did.

Paul praised goalkeeper Stuart for the key part he played in the victory.

He said: “There is still debate over who the scorer was, but there is no doubt that Stuart made a very good save near the end.

“It was vital because, as I said, we weren’t at our best in the second half.”

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Skipper Mitch Megginson missed the game through suspension and others also had to be left out because they were adhering to the Covid regulations, which meant we were only able to list 14 players for the game against the Blue Toon.

Some of those players will also be absent when we visit Clyde in the league on Saturday, but Paul says the prospect of asking for a postponement, as some other clubs have in recent weeks, has never crossed his mind.

He said: “It’s difficult, we only had the two outfield substitutes, but we want to keep playing for as long as we can.

“We know the situation and what’s going on in the world, so credit to the lads who were available for just getting on with it.”

If credited to Rory, the winner at Peterhead would be his 16th goal of the season, bringing him back level with strike partner Mitch.

Rory said: “I think it’s my goal, I certainly got a touch on something before the ball went in.

“I’m happy to claim it and more importantly Stuart is happy to give it to me.

“He said after the game that he’s scored before so isn’t all that bothered.

“If I didn’t make the run to get on to the end of Stuart’s pass then we probably wouldn’t have scored, that’s how I see it anyway.

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“But it doesn’t really matter who gets the goal, what mattered is we got the three points at a venue that is always tough for teams to go too.

“I think Peterhead have the third best home record in the league, which underlines how big a win it is for us.

“We were pretty good in the first half, we created enough chances to maybe be ahead and I hit a shot off the post.

‘It was a lot tougher after that, but we got the win and it’s now case of moving on and seeing if we can do well in the next games too.

“We have a couple of really tough ones coming up before we play Hibs in the Scottish Cup (away to Clyde then at home to Montrose the following weekend).

“We all want to be involved in the cup-tie, but accept that will only happen if we maintain high standards in those next two league games.”

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