RESERVES | Saints 4-4 Kilmarnock

Saints Reserves lost out on a bonus point in the SPFL Reserve Cup following a penalties defeat to Kilmarnock in Kelty today.

The match finished 4-4 with the visitors winning 2-4 on penalties. The action packed game saw a return to action for Liam Gordon who played 45 minutes at New Central Park. Max Johnstone and Ross Callachan were the other first-team players involved.

The result sees Saints drop to 4th in their group following Ross County's victory over Queen of the South today.

It was a cold and wet afternoon in Fife today as Saints welcomed Kilmarnock in the SPFL Reserve Cup.

Both sides fielded young teams with Liam Gordon, Ross Callachan and Max Johnstone the only first-team players involved for Saints.

Alan Maybury's men started well and came close to taking the lead after just two minutes.

Saints striker John Robertson was played through on goal by Jordan Northcott before he appeared to be fouled in the penalty area and despite protests the referee waved play on.

The home side were on top in the early stages but would fall behind after just six minutes. The goal came against the run of play when Kyle Connell's long range strike took a deflection of a Saints defender helping it past 'keeper Max Johnstone.

Saints continued to attack and John Robertson twice came close to equalising.

Both times the young striker found himself one-on-one with Curtis Lyle but both times the Killie 'keeper had the upper hand on Robertson with two smart stops.

It was a case of third time lucky for John though as he did get the Saints equaliser on 35 minutes. His shot from the edge of the area was too good for Lyle and Saints were level.

And just two minutes later Saints took the lead. Robertson turned provider this time threading the ball through for Cammy Ballantyne and the midfielder made no mistake as he slotted the ball home off the post to make it 2-1.

The Saints lead lasted just one minute though as Killie equalised straight away. Kyle Connell's free-kick from distance beat Max Johnstone as the Kilmarnock number 9 scored his second of the match.

There was time for one more goal before the break as Olly McDonald put the visitors in front on 43 minutes. Sam Denham then missed a header from close range moments later in what was a great chance to go in level at the interval.

Alan Maybury made three changes at the break with Gordon, Finnan and Smith making way for M. McFarlane, Ferguson and Steele but the visitors then extended their lead right at the beginning of the second half making it 2-4.

Just before the hour mark Ross Callachan got Saints back in the match. The midfielder made a superb solo run before being brought down at the edge of the box.

He dusted himself down and took the free-kick himself, bending it round the wall and into the bottom corner.

And ten minutes later Saints were level. John Robertson bagged his second goal of the match and the momentum then appeared to be with Alan Maybury's men.

Robertson could have had a hat-trick but his free-kick from the edge of the area skimmed top of the crossbar and the match went on to penalties.

Robertson and Hamilton missed their spot kicks with Struthers and McFarlane scoring but the visitors won 2-4 on penalties and secured the bonus point.

SAINTS RESERVES: Johnstone, Finnan (McFarlane 45), Smith (Ferguson 45), Gordon (Steele 45), Denham, McGregor, Ballantyne, Callachan (Hamilton 68), Struthers, Northcott, Robertson

UNUSED SUBS: Wills (GK), Walsh

SCORERS: Robertson x2, Ballantyne, Callachan