KEITH Branagan will be like a bear with a sore head as he serves his time for doing what came naturally on Tuesday night.

But the Burnden No 1 can console himself in knowing that his actions helped Wanderers claim another three priceless points and that Gavin Ward can step in to play his part in the grand promotion plan.

Branagan is waiting to hear how match referee Bill Burns viewed the 62nd minute incident when he raced out of his area to dive at Lee Nogan's feet. He expects a three-match ban but could be lucky and escape with just one.

Whatever the sentence, he reckons: "Wardy will go in and he'll help us get maximum points. That's all I'm bothered about.

"It's all about getting promotion. I'm not going to enjoy sitting it out, I never do, but the team got three points the other night and that's all that mattered.

"I wasn't going to let him (Nogan) get round me. It was pure instinct but I'm not going to let him score if I can help it. That's what I'm trained to do." Branagan summed up the passion and emotion of the night when he raced onto the pitch to lift John McGinlay shoulder high, claiming later: "I've taught him well."

McGinlay didn't need any coaxing to take the keeper's jersey, although he complained the gloves were a size too big!

"It was always going to be me," he confirmed. "I've played in goal a few times in training. The boys have a few shots at me but none like the one Gilkes had just before the end.

"I shouted "wide" but it was luck rather than good judgment. I never even saw it!"

The experience hasn't persuaded Colin Todd to abandon his attack-minded substitute policy. The manager has had a substitute keeper in just three of the 18 games played this season and admits: "It's always in the back of your mind that you could lose your keeper but you win some, you lose some.

"I'm a very positive man and I believe that you'll get away with it nine times out of ten, even away from home."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.