Kilmarnock 1-2 Saints

After a goalless first half Kilmarnock took the lead on 61 minutes as Aaron Tshibola slotted home from 10 yards.

However, 2 minutes after taking the lead the hosts were reduced to ten men as Ross Millen was sent off for a studs up challenge on Scott Tanser.

Saints equalised with 5 minutes remaining as Wotherspoon converted a Liam Craig cutback from 8 yards. Then 4 minutes into stoppage time they got the winner as O’Halloran took advantage of a slack pass-back from Stuart Findlay and rounded Danny Rogers in the home goal to slot into the empty net.

Next up for Saints is a rearranged home game against Aberdeen on Thursday evening, kick off 7:30pm.

MATCH REPORT

For the third league game in a row Saints were on their travels today as they made the trip to Ayrshire to take on Kilmarnock. Looking to bounce back from Wednesday evening’s 3-0 defeat at Rangers Callum Davidson made three changes to his starting line-up as Sean Rooney, Scott Tanser and Michael O’Halloran came in for Jamie McCart, Callum Booth and David Wotherspoon. After drawing 2-2 with Ross County in Dingwall in midweek Killie manager Alex Dyer didn’t make any changes to his starting eleven with the only change coming on the bench as Greg Kiltie came in to replace Tomas Brindley.

On a sunny afternoon in Ayrshire Craig Conway got the match underway for Saints and it was the Perth side who would create the first chance of the match on 10 minutes. Liam Craig sent a good cross into the box which was spilled by Killie keeper Danny Rogers and the loose ball fell to Callum Hendry but the Saints striker was unable to find the target with his effort.

The opening period of the first half didn’t see much action as both sides matched each other for long spells. As the half progressed the home side start to force several corners but the Saints rearguard comfortably dealt with the danger. Then on 22 minutes Liam Gordon made a great tackle on Nicke Kabamba to turn the ball behind for another corner after the striker had got in on goal following a good through ball by Gary Dicker.

Up the other end on 25 minutes Liam Craig played a good ball out wide to the right as he switched play to Ali McCann. The young midfielder then advanced down the wing before sending a good cross into the near post but Rogers was alert to the danger as he came out to gather.

As the match approached the half an hour mark it started to become more open. On 33 minutes Sean Rooney was booked for a foul on Chris Burke as Killie were award a free kick on the edge of the area. Both Burke and Stuart Finlay stood over it and it was the later who took the free kick as he saw his effort go over the Saints wall but Elliott Parish made a fantastic one-handed save to turn it behind for a corner.

The hosts would go on to finish the half strongly and on 39 minutes Kirk Broadfoot’s cross picked out Burke at the back post and midfielder unleashed an effort at goal which was well saved by Parish as he turned it behind. From the resultant corner Mitchell Pinnock’s delivery picked out Broadfoot and the defender’s header cannoned off the crossbar before being cleared. A big let off for Saints.

Saints started the second half brightly and on 49 minutes Michael O’Halloran fed the ball to Hendry. Callum then ran across the edge of the area as he looked to have a shot at goal but he was fouled by Alan Power to give Saints a free kick in a dangerous area. Both Hendry and Scott Tanser stood over the free kick but it was the striker who would take it as he sent a low effort under the wall but Rogers used his feet to save.

Then shortly after Saints created another opportunity as O’Halloran drove forward before unleashing a strike but it wasn’t enough to trouble Rogers.

On 54 minutes Parish made a great save to deny Kabamba after the former Hartlepool United striker had been setup by a surging run from Findlay. Then a minute later Power was booked for simulation in the Saints box.

Saints were looking more lively during the early stages of the second half and on 59 minutes Liam Craig unleashed a 30-yard which went wide of the target.

Despite Saints promising start to the half they would suffer a setback 2 minutes later. Broadfoot sent a long ball forward over the Saints defence as Pinnock gathered it before squaring to Tshibola who slotted the ball into the net.

However, it was Killie’s turn to suffer a setback barely 2 minutes after taking the lead as Ross Millen was sent off for a poor challenge on Tanser.

With 20 minutes remaining Saints were forced into a change as Callum Booth came on for the injured Scott Tanser.

Saints now looked to take advantage of their extra man and on 71 minutes a ball into the box from substitute David Wotherspoon picked out Hendry but his header didn’t trouble Rogers. Then 5 minutes later Wotherspoon saw his effort deflect into the hands of Rogers as Saints continued to press for the equaliser.

With 7 minutes remaining Hendry got a great chance to level the match as Booth’s cross was headed on by substitute John Robertson to Hendry and he turned in the box but put his effort just wide of Rogers right-hand post.

However, the goal Saints were looking for came on 85 minutes as Killie substitute Aaron McGowan failed to deal with Danny McNamara’s cross into the box. Craig then picked up the ball at the byline to cut it back to Wotherspoon who slotted home from 8 yards.

Killie tried to get a quick response 2 minutes later but Eammon Brophy couldn’t get his strike on target.

However, deep into stoppage time Saints wrapped up all 3 points. Robertson tried to pick out Hendry with a pass down the wing but Findlay got back to intercept the ball. However, the defender then tried to play the ball back to his keeper but his pass-back was short and O’Halloran pouched on it to gather before rounding Rogers to slot into the empty net to earn Saints their first win of the season.

Kilmarnock: Rogers, Millen, Broadfoot, Finlay, Waters, Power, Dicker, Tshibola, Burke (Kiltie 86), Pinnock (McGowan 65), Kabamba (Brophy 79)

Unused Substitutes: Doyle (GK), Haunstrup, Dikamona, El Makrini, Cameron, Whitehall

Booked: Power

Sent Off: Millen

Scorer: Tshibola (61)

Saints: Parish, Kerr, Gordon, Rooney (Wotherspoon 65), Tanser (Booth 70), McNamara, Craig, Hendry, Conway (Robertson 81), McCann, O’Halloran

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Duffy, Olaofe, Ballantyne

Booked: Rooney, Craig

Scorers: Wotherspoon (85), O’Halloran (90+4)

Referee: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Liam Craig and Alan Power challenge for the ball