Stenhousemuir boss Marvin Bartley on Raith Rovers draw and 'unacceptable' goal
Marvin Bartley says that he was happy with a point against Raith Rovers last Saturday – but that his side cannot concede another “unacceptable” goal like they did against the Stark’s Park outfit.
The Warriors still sit top of the Scottish Championship table after ten outings thanks to the 1-1 stalemate against Dougie Imrie’s side at Ochilview Park. The visitors needed to win to overtake the part-timers – who have been the SPFL’s surprise package this season having won promotion last term via the promotion play-offs.
Midfielder Michael Anderson opened the scoring for Stenhousemuir, finishing off a fine move after 20 minutes. But for all that goal was worthy of praise – the leveller they conceded just after the break was a shocker.
Euan O’Reilly was easily beaten out wide and that eventually allowed an unmarked Jai Rowe to slam home.
Speaking to the Falkirk Herald, Bartley said: “It was a fair result. I have to bring people back down to planet Earth sometimes… we are sitting top of the league still and understanding just what the players are achieving is crazy.
"Football is not played on a spreadsheet but we are a part time club with a tiny budget compared to every other team in the division.
"When you sit back, you have to consider it a really good point. And it is a point closer to safety, which would be remarkable.
"If you go back 12 weeks or so, most people had us down to finish bottom. To be where we are after ten matches is mental.”
Assessing the goals, he added: “Our goal is superb. It is one to be happy about for sure because it was was well-worked.
“But the goal we conceded was unacceptable. Without going too much into the tactical detail, we have basic principles that we have to live by. It is key.
"To have a free player coming into our box like that is something I can’t tolerate. I let the players know that but they knew already what should happen in that scenario.”
Stenhousemuir now travel to in-form Partick Thistle this Saturday.
Ahead of that clash, Bartley said: “We know how tough it will be, and the record that Thistle have at home. But we have to focus on what we can do. It’s all about being the best we can be.”