A FURIOUS on-field dispute between two Elgin City defenders has been played down by manager Ross Jack.
Centre backs Sean Crighton and Jamie Duff went head-to-head following a disagreement during Saturday’s 4-3 home defeat to East Stirling, and had to be separated by referee George Salmond.
City boss Jack said he did not condone his players’ angry exchange, but said the incident showed both have a passion and a desire to win.
"It was frustration all round and that spilled over," Ross said.
"I don’t mind seeing that if they show aggression and channel that into stopping the opposition from scoring. But unfortunately that didn’t happen.
"They know form has dipped and they were perhaps trying to not only blame themselves, but wondering why a partnership between them which has been strong in games this season was not so strong on Saturday.
Duff, who has been carrying a knee injury and will miss this week’s trip to Berwick, made a mistake for one of the Shire goals in the shock defeat.
Crighton, an ever present in the Elgin starting line-up this term, conceded a penalty which led to the visitors’ third goal.
Both were part of a poor City performance, which stretched their run without a win to six matches.
"It’s not something that makles good viewing but sometimes I like to think its because of their passion and desire," Jack added.
"They were upset we were getting beat and losing soft goals, and let their feelings be known.
"But the spirit before and after the game was still fantastic. They shook hands and there was nothing untoward between them.
"It happens in a lot of games all over the world and its no different at Elgin.
"I just want that passion to be transferred into a desire to stop conceding soft goals, so we can get back to winning ways."
Don't miss the Northern Scot print version for all the latest Elgin City news.
