As sucker-punches go, Cove Rangers were hit by an almighty one against Partick Thistle – in the shape of a goalscoring keeper.
Jamie Sneddon sparked wild scenes of celebration, with Partick fans flooding the Balmoral Stadium pitch, after he headed in a 95th-minute corner to grab the Jags a point.
But for Cove, it was a tale of what might have been.
They led through Mitch Megginson’s well taken goal early on and had chances to extend their lead, notably through one-on-one chances from Gerry McDonagh and Leighton McIntosh which ought to have been taken.
It is not the first time they have been killed by late goals this season. It happened recently, against Morton and Hamilton, so they have been here before.
When Sneddon’s highlight-reel moment came, it was a familiar feeling for Cove but by no means any more palatable.
“It’s a sickener,” said McIntyre. “A lack of ruthlessness has come back to bite us spectacularly.
“I suppose we can say that’s one-each this season, as Thistle should have been four or five goals to the good at Firhill and we’ve come back to nick a draw. They’ve certainly nicked a point.
“It might have looked like the goalie was just standing there – I’ve had a look at it and he was supposed to be picked up but he’s been blocked.
“That’s something we’ve got to do better. We can only look at ourselves for that. There was enough men in that box to deal with it.
“Unfortunately for us it’s a sucker-punch.”
It was a bizarre end to the game but it capped off a wave of pressure from Partick, who have not had the best of times of late.
For Cove it is a missed opportunity, with Arbroath below them and both Raith and Inverness above them dropping points.
“We tried to get them up the pitch and knew we were dangerous on the counter-attack,” added McIntyre.
“Thistle adjusted their shape and we adjusted by changing ours to match up. From that we created some good opportunities, but you’ve got to take them.
“It highlights that one goal is never enough at this level. You want to be making sure you take the one-on-one opportunities and make it a more comfortable afternoon for yourself.
“But while you’re only one goal up there’s always a chance for the opposition. Partick are a good team, they’ve got good players and they’re going to put you under pressure.
“They were throwing everything at it and gambling – exactly the way I would if I was chasing the game. They’re probably feeling like great, like it’s a victory for them, like we were feeling great at Firhill.”
Cove also had an injury issue to deal with on Saturday afternoon, as defender Shay Logan limped off in the first half.
“He’s had a calf problem for a few weeks and he felt it in the warm-up,” said McIntyre. “He wanted to give it a go.
“It’s been off and on over the last couple of things. I don’t think it’s anything too serious but with us not having a game next week, it’s as good timing as it could be.”
COVE RANGERS (4-4-2) – McKenzie 6; Johnston 7, Sanders 7, Reynolds 6, Logan 5 (Fyvie 23), Longstaff 7 (Ross 69), Yule 6, Gilmour 6, Scully 6, McDonagh 6 (McIntosh 72), Megginson 7. Subs not used – Gourlay, Neill, Towler, Dunne, Vigurs, Masson.
PARTICK THISTLE (4-3-3) – Sneddon 6; McMillan 5 (Fitzpatrick 81), Muirhead 6, Brownlie 5, Milne 6, McKinnon 6 (Weston 74), Hodson 5, Turner 6, Lawless 5 (Mullen 46), Graham 6, Smith 5 (Bannigan 46). Subs not used – McCready, Akinola, Stanway, Lyon.
Referee – Steven McLean 6.
Man of the match – Luis Longstaff.