St Mirren 0-0 Gretna

May 11 2008 Chris Gallagher At Love Street

GREG FLEMING shut out St Mirren with another super show then revealed his pain as many of his mates face the football scrapheap. Fleming looks set to move south with three clubs - two from England - making offers to the promising young keeper.

But after denying Buds in what could be Gretna's last away match he spared a thought for his pals at the crisis club who don't know if they have a future in the game.

Fleming - who had a string of fine saves in the Love Street stalemate - said: "What's happening is tough. It's not easy watching things like this happen to your mates.

"We haven't heard anyone is going to come in with a bid and all we can do is hope. I don't know what's going to happen but it's all so worrying.

"My situation is different and I'm hoping to get my move at the end of the season. I wouldn't mind a crack down south - it's such a big shop window."

Fleming also hailed caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth.

He said: "The manager has been trying to help all the players.

"We don't want anyone jobless and he knows lots of people down south so deserves credit. He has been a great help to everyone."

Wadsworth admitted the future looks grim for the club.

He said: "We are staring right down the barrel - all the players, staff and ground staff. It's been hard to prepare this week but it was a good effort by the players and they made a real fist of it.

"The end is nigh as the last league game is on Tuesday but we have to keep hoping."

It was an emotional day for the small band of around 50 visiting fans.

And they almost had something to cheer in three minutes when Brendan McGill's curler cracked the bar from 20 yards.

Minutes later at the other end Andy Dorman's delightful through ball found striker Craig Dargo who was just foiled by Daniel Hall.

In 21 minutes another of Buds' foreign imports Franco Miranda blazed over from 10 yards.

Home No.1 Mark Howard almost gifted the bottom club the opener just before the half hour.

The keeper lost out on an aerial tussle with Ben Wilkinson and the Gretna man's looping header landed on the roof of the net.

In 35 minutes Gavin Skelton tried his luck from long range but fired wide off Howard's post.

Nine minutes from the break Gretna's Nicky Deverdics sneaked clear but a solid challenge from John Potter blocked his progress.

It was pretty even at this stage and the Borders side looked nothing like a team without a win in nine.

In 44 minutes McGill's perfect cross found Wilkinson only for his glancing header to creep past.

St Mirren were booed off at half-time but Gus MacPherson's side improved after the interval.

Potter had an opening but his 12-yard volley flew out the stadium before Dargo shot straight at Fleming.

In 66 minutes sub Stephen McGinn was unlucky with a snap volley that sailed over.

And Dargo was denied again when his low shot was diverted wide by Fleming.

Kyle McNaughton produced the clearance of the match in 72 minutes, sliding into the post to prevent Dorman's shot going in.

Both keepers excelled seconds later as first Howard made a point-blank stop to deny McGill.

Then Fleming spread himself brilliantly to deny McGinn from 14 yards.

Stewart Kean thought he'd won it for Buds with a hooked volley but his effort was rightly ruled offside.

MATCH STATS

8 SHOTS ON 5

4 SHOTS OFF 4

5 OFFSIDE 1

5 FOULS 11

11 CORNERS 3

1 BOOKINGS 1

REF WATCH

WILLIE COLLUM was in command throughout in an impressive display. The whistler let the game flow as best he could, got all the big decisions right and was arguably the top performer in a pretty poor match. Rating: 8/10.