Craig Thomson wasn't supposed to be the central character in this performance, but two decisive moments meant the spotlight – unable to find much resembling entertainment – fell on the referee.
In the cold light of day, and after a quick look at the television replays, he will likely realise he did not make the right decisions.
The man described by Craig Brown, the Aberdeen manager, as Scotland's top referee, will not, of course, be downgraded to first division level as Ivan Sproule, the outspoken Hibernian winger, demanded in the immediate aftermath of this match. Sproule was adjudged to have fouled Peter Pawlett in the penalty area on the hour mark to allow Scott Vernon to score the only goal of a drab affair from the spot. Instead, there may have been a case for the speedy Pawlett to have been chastised for a rather dramatic piece of acrobatics.
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