A second half goal from Josh McPake saw Saints come from behind to draw with Queen’s Park at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.
The Spiders took the lead on 32 minutes when Euan Murray headed home an Aidan Connolly free kick.
Saints responded well after the break and were back on level terms just three minutes into the second half. A superb pass from Sam Stanton found Josh McPake, who calmly slotted the ball beyond Calum Ferrie.
It proved to be a much-improved second-half performance from Saints, who pushed for a winner and created a number of chances, but were unable to find a decisive goal as Queen’s Park held firm.
Today’s result coupled with Partick Thistle’s win at home to Ross County last night tights the gap at the top to 3 points. Next up for Saints is a trip to Angus next Saturday to take on Arbroath, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Queen’s Park to McDiarmid Park this afternoon for a William Hill Championship match. Simo Valakari’s side came into today’s match looking to respond to Partick Thistle’s 3-1 win at home to Ross County last night which saw the gap at the top of the league narrowed to 2 points. There was one change to the Saints side which started the goalless draw at Partick Thistle last Friday night as Jamie Gullan dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Josh Fowler. Queen’s Park lost 1-0 at Arbroath last weekend and head coach Sean Crighton made two changes to the side which started at Gayfield. Scott Martin and Michael Ruth both came into the starting eleven to replace Callum Smith, who dropped to the bench, whilst Nikolay Todorov missed out completely.
It was a sunny and windy spring afternoon in Perth as Michael Ruth got the match underway for the visitors. The first chance of the match came on 7 minutes for the Glasgow side as Ruth played the ball out to Henry Fieldson on the left of the box and the defender then sent over a delivery into the box picking out Seb Drozd as the Englishman went for the spectacular, but he couldn’t find the target with his bicycle kick.
Saints first chance of the match came after 10 minutes as Sam Stanton brilliantly won the ball in midfield before playing in Liam Smith down the right and he sent over a dangerous delivery into the Queen’s Park box however, no one in a Saints shirt could get on the end of it as the visitors cleared their lines.
Saints were forced into a change on 17 minutes as Matty Foulds came on to replace the injured Morgan Boyes.
PHOTO: Morgan Boyes goes down injured
The Spiders were awarded a free kick on the left wing on 32 minutes after Ruth was fouled by Smith. Aidan Connolly took the free kick, delivering an inviting ball into the six-yard box, as Euan Murray rose highest to plant a header beyond Toby Steward to give the visitors the lead.
Saints looked to get a quick response as on 36 minutes Foulds played in Josh McPake down the left and the winger picked out Stanton in the box however, the midfielder sliced his effort over.
Play then quickly switched to the other end as Steward got down well to save a Drozd effort.
Saints continued to search for an equaliser and with 8 minutes of the first half remaining McPake burst forward before seeing his low left-footed effort saved by Calum Ferrie.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler battles with Aidan Connolly
Saints though were back on level terms 3 minutes into the second half. A brilliant pass from Stanton played in McPake and the winger burst into the box before slotting a fine low effort into the far corner of the net.
Simo Valakari’s side got a quick chance to then take the lead on 51 minutes as Fowler got on the end of a McPake delivery however, he guided his effort over from close range.
PHOTO: Josh McPake scores to make it 1-1
Saints made a double change shortly after as Louis Lloyd and Jamie Gullan came on to replace Josh Fowler and Ruari Paton.
On the hour mark a good cross from McPake picked out a brilliant run from Stanton into the danger area. The midfielder then took a touch before unleashing an effort, but Ferrie produced a smart stop to keep the score level. Then shortly after a cross from the byeline Lloyd picked out Gullan at the near post but his back heal effort was blocked.
It was wave after wave of Saints attacks and on 65 minutes McPake drew the foul from Roddy MacGregor on the edge of the area. The resultant free kick was taken by Gullan however, his effort hit the Spiders wall. The pressure continued and 3 minutes later McPake picked out Foulds in the box, but he couldn’t test Ferrie with his effort.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear in action
Saints brought on a fresh pair of legs on 83 minutes as Alfie Agyeman came on to replace Jason Holt.
The visitors were putting in a strong defensive performance as Saints continued to search for the winner. On 89 minutes a Gullan corner from the left was met by Cheick Diabate however, the defender couldn’t direct his header on target. Then deep into stoppage time the ball broke to Stanton, but he guided his effort wide of the mark as Saints had to settle for a point.
PHOTO: Cheick Diabate heads over
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes (Foulds 17’), Holt (Agyeman 83’), Fowler (Lloyd 57’), Stanton, Baird, Paton (Gullan 57’), McPake, Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Svedberg, Fotheringham, Mallan, Forrester
Booked: Holt, McPake
Scorer: McPake (48’)
Queen’s Park: Ferrie, Fieldson, Murray (Smith 58’), Longridge, MacGregor, Ruth (Bradley 90+1’), Connolly, Shields, MacKenzie, Martin (Mclean 87’), Drozd
Unused Substitutes: Wills (GK), Waugh, McLeish, Goldie, Rodger, Afzal
Booked: Longridge, Martin
Scorer: Murray (32’)
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Attendance: 4,879
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Jason Holt and Scott Martin
