At some point, teams must win or the managers whose fates are ruthlessly beholden to results will pay the price. For different reasons, this game was deemed of significant importance to Julen Lopetegui and Kieran McKenna.

Tasked with igniting a semblance of excitement often lacking in these parts over recent seasons – even at times of success – Lopetegui’s embryonic reign had already threatened to turn sour after overseeing an unprecedented three home league defeats to start his first campaign at the helm.