Saints 1-1 Aberdeen

The Perth side thought they had taken the lead on 49 minutes when Graham Carey volleyed home at the near post however, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review as Liam Gordon was deemed to have fouled Jamie McGrath in the build-up.

VAR took centre stage on the hour mark as Aberdeen were awarded a penalty as Gordon was ruled to have caught Slobodan Rubežić as both players attempted to clear a Connor Barron corner.  Bojan Miovski took the penalty and he despatched it past Dimitar Mitov’s outstretched arm.

Saints levelled the match on 78 minutes as Carey’s cross from the left was perfect for David Keltjens and the Israeli got to the ball before Kelle Roos to head the ball into the net. Saints could have won the match in stoppage time as Max Kucheriavyi was played in by Benjamin Kimpioka however, his effort came back off the post.

Next up for Saints is another home game on Saturday as they welcome Motherwell to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Aberdeen were the visitors to Perth this evening for a rearranged cinch Premiership match. Saints were eliminated from the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup at the weekend as they lost 1-0 to Airdrieonians and Craig Levein made five changes to his starting eleven this evening. Luke Robinson, David Keltjens, who was making his Saints debut, Dan Phillips, Sven Sprangler and Diallang Jaiyesimi came in to replace Tony Gallacher, Fran Franczak, Max Kucheriavyi and Benjamin Kimpioka who dropped to the bench, whilst Nicky Clark missed out completely. Goals from Bojan Miovski and Nicky Devlin saw Aberdeen progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup on Friday evening as they beat Clyde 2-0 and manager Barry Robson decided to go with the same starting eleven which started at ZLX Stadium, New Douglas Park on Friday.

Matt Smith got the match underway for Saints however, it was Aberdeen who created the first chance of the match after 2 minutes as they were awarded a free kick following a foul on Connor Barron by Sven Sprangler. Leighton Clarkson took the free kick as he played in Jamie McGrath and the former St Mirren midfielder looked to put the ball into the danger area however, Luke Robinson made a great block to cut out the danger as Saints cleared their lines.

PHOTO: Graham Carey shoots wide

The Dons looked dangerous in the opening exchanges and on 6 minutes Dante Polvara saw his curling effort palmed away by Dimitar Mitov.

Saints first chance of the match came on 11 minutes as Robinson’s cross from the left was cutback by Graham Carey to Dan Phillips however, the midfielder didn’t trouble Kelle Roos in the visitors goal as he dragged his right footed effort wide.

On 25 minutes Diallang Jaiyesimi laid the ball off to Carey however, he fired wide of the target. Carey got another sight of goal on the half an hour mark as he latched onto a pass from David Keltjens however, again he failed to test Roos in the Dons goal.

PHOTO: Matt Smith gets away from Jamie McGrath

Smith won Saints a free kick out on the right wing on 48 minutes after he had been fouled by Dons captain Graeme Shinnie. Carey took the free kick and he sent over an inviting cross into the box and the ball then bounced around the box before breaking to Carey who volleyed home at the near post. However, following a VAR review the goal was ruled out as Liam Gordon was deemed to have fouled Jamie McGrath as he went for the ball in the box.

Not to be disheartened Saints went back in search of the breakthrough and on 53 minutes Smith’s cross from the right was met by DJ whose header was gathered at the second attempt by Roos.  

Play quickly switched to the other end a minute later as Shinnie went on a mazy run forward before unleashing a strike which was saved by Mitov.  

A good ball over the top on 56 minutes saw Jaiyesimi get the better of Stefan Gartenmann and the on-loan Charlton Athletic man broke forward before unleashing a strike which went wide of the target.

A minute later a long-range looping effort from Nicky Devlin was tipped over the bar by Mitov. From the resultant corner Aberdeen were awarded a penalty following a VAR check as Slobodan Rubežić went down under the challenge from Gordon and referee John Beaton was called to the monitor by VAR Steven Kirkland. Bojan Miovski took the penalty as he despatched it past the outstretched hand of Mitov and into the corner of the net to put the Dons a goal up.

PHOTO: Referee John Beaton watches VAR before awarding Aberdeen a penalty

On 71 minutes Keltjens got on the end of a Carey cross however, his header was comfortably gathered by Roos. Saints then made a change shortly after as Mac Kucheriavyi came on to replace Sven Sprangler.

Saints levelled the match with 12 minutes remaining as a good attacking move end with Carey sending over an inviting cross into the box and Roos came out to claim the ball however, Keltjens got to the ball before the Dutch keeper to head the ball into the net for his first goal for the club.

Both sides opened up in the final 10 minutes as they each pushed for a winner. On 81 minutes Leighton Clarkson sent over a fantastic cross into the box which Miovski made a connection with however, his effort went over the cross bar.

PHOTO: David Keltjens scores for Saints

Saints made another change on 85 minutes as they brought on Benjamin Kimpioka to replace Diallang Jaiyesimi.  

Craig Levein’s side came within inches of winning the match in stoppage time as Kimpioka squared the ball to Kucheriavyi and the Ukrainian midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box which came back off the post with Roos beaten. Saints were then awarded a free kick in the eighth minute of stoppage time after Richard Jenson had fouled Carey. The resultant free kick was taken by Carey however, it came to nothing as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Saints: Mitov, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, Carey, Jaiyesimi (Kimpioka 85’), Robinson, Smith, Sprangler (Kucheriavyi 73’), Keltjens (Olufunwa 90+9’), Phillips

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Gallacher, May, Turner-Cooke, Franczak

Booked: Smith, Carey, Gordon, Keltjens

Scorer: Keltjens (78’)

Aberdeen: Roos, Devlin, MacKenzie (Jensen 74’), Shinnie, Gartenmann, McGrath, Barron (Hayes 63’), Miovski, Clarkson, Polvara (Sokler62’), Rubežić (MacDonald 90’)

Unused Substitute: Doohan (GK), Lopes, Guèye, Morris, Duncan

Booked: Rubežić

Scorer: Miovski (62’ pen)

Referee: John Beaton

VAR: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 3,472

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: David Keltjens celebrates his goal