Saints 0-0 Kilmarnock
First Team

Saints 0-0 Kilmarnock

24th November 2018

Saturday 24 November 2018

Saints extended their unbeaten run to six matches but were unable to take all three points in a 0-0 stalemate with Kilmarnock.

Matty Kennedy had the best effort of the match in the second half when his shot rattled the woodwork but a tight contest ended goalless at McDiarmid Park.

MATCH REPORT

Just one point and one place separated these two sides as they met for the second time in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season.

It was the visitors Killie who had the first chance of the match after four minutes. Experienced striker Kris Boyd was found unmarked in the Saints area creating a moment of panic before skipper Joe Shaughnessy managed to knock the ball away.

It only landed as far as Greg Stewart but the forward blazed his effort well over Zander Clark's crossbar.

Moments later Saints broke themselves with Drey Wright galloping away from his man to create a quick counter. Greg Taylor managed to get himself back in to deflect Wright's cross for a corner which in the end came to nothing.

Saints enjoyed much of the ball in the first-half with David Wotherspoon in particular enjoying himself out on the left flank.

First he created a chance for Matty Kennedy but he couldn't keep his header on target. Just minutes later he was free down the left again, this time teeing up Drey Wright who saw his shot deflected into the arms of Killie 'keeper Bachmann.

Wotherspoon was involved again as he produced a lovely bit of play to win a free-kick on the left edge of the Killie box. His short pass to Wright saw the winger fouled in a more central area just outside the 18-yard-box by Ndjoli.

Wotherspoon took the resulting free-kick but his low effort through the wall went straight into the hands of Bachmann.

On the half hour mark it was panic stations in the Killie defence as Stuart Findlay lost his bearings and almost gifted Saints an opportunity. In the process of clearing his lines the Killie defender picked up a knock and was substituted shortly after, being replaced by Scott Boyd.

Matty Kennedy signed off a positive first 45 which Saints probably edged as he went on a mazy run from the halfway line to the edge of the area but his effort rolled along the ground and lacked the power to caused Bachmann any issues.

In the second half the visitors dominated a lot of the possession but neither side created much in the way of chances.

Steve Clarke introduced Jordan Jones to try and make the difference with the winger replacing Ndjoli after 56 minutes.

It was Saints who created the first chance of note though just before the hour mark when Matty Kennedy shot over the bar from inside the 18-yard-box.

Moments later and Saints 'keeper Zander Clark was called upon to make a fantastic stop from Greg Stewart who must have thought he had given Kilmarnock the lead.

On 64 minutes Scott Tanser tried his luck from 25 yards and struck the ball well but just couldn't quite get his effort on target.

Drey Wright picked up a knock on 66 minutes and had to be replaced by Danny Swanson as the game opened up and both sides looked to find a goal to break the deadlock.

Watt was replaced by Kane for Saints while Kris Boyd left the pitch to be replaced by Byrne with both managers making changes to try and find an elusive goal.

And Saints fans thought they had it inside the final ten minutes.

Matty Kennedy looked the most threatening for Saints most of the game and he cut inside from the left to unleash a cracking right foot effort which had Killie 'keeper Bachmann beaten but crashed off the post and away from goal. It was the last chance for Matty as he made way for Callachan just moments later.

The final chance of the match came from a Wotherspoon free-kick which was off target and the match finished with a draw probably a fair result from a match where chances were at a premium.

The result puts an end to the club's winning run but Tommy Wright's side remain unbeaten in six and Zander Clark registered his sixth clean sheet on the bounce.


Saints: Clark, Foster, Tanser, Shaughnessy, Kerr, Wright (Swanson 66), Wotherspoon, Davidson, Craig , Kennedy (Callachan 85), Watt (Kane 72).

Unused Substitutes: Hurst, McMillan, Nydam, Gordon.

Booked: None.

Kilmarnock: Bachman, O'Donnell, Taylor, Broadfoot, Power, Dicker, K. Boyd (Byrne 77), Ndjoli (Jones 56), Findlay (S. Boyd 39), Stewart, Burke.

Unused Substitutes: MacDonald, McKenzie, Kiltie, Millen.

Booked: Greg Taylor

Referee: Willie Collum

Attendance: 3,559

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