Seated on the backbench of the courtroom, Emerald had mixed feelings.

By this time Annaple, with a brow like a tragic volume, had hobbled towards him, and caught his horse by the bridle.

The Gunners continued to press after the break but it was Leeds who broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. There was no doubt about the penalty either, with Denilson clumsily fouling Gradel and Snodgrass stepping up to find the bottom corner of the net.

When they told her about the robin and the first flight of the young ones she laughed a motherly little mellow laugh in her throat.