Kilmarnock 2 St Johnstone 2

Kilmarnock were held to a draw against St Johnstone at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park.

The game got off to a subdued start, until 11 minutes in, Steward in St Johnstone’s goal clearly handled the ball outside of his box. Astoundingly, play was initially waved on by Matthew MacDermid. Eventually, though, not that VAR should’ve been required to step in, the referee brandished a red card to the goalkeeper, as the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Killie took full advantage a matter of moments later from the resultant free kick. Greg Kiltie’s initial effort from blocked, before he got to cross deep to the back post at the second attempt for Cathal McCarthy to score with a thumping header.

With Killie controlling most of the ball with a man’s advantage, the ball hit the net once more on the half-hour mark through Djenairo Daniels. Unfortunately, he was offside.

At the other end, Nico Mantl produced an outstanding save down low to his left to prevent Fowler from scoring a header from a cross into the box. However, moments later from the resultant corner, Schmidt scored for Saints to level the game on 39 minutes.

But Neil McCann’s side hit back instantly, showing exactly the right attitude to the disappointment. Joe Hugill dropped the shoulder to skip by his marker on the left wing. He drove towards the byline before picking out strike partner Djenairo Daniels with his cutback. He pulled off a neat flick to find the back of the net, as Killie restored their lead before half-time.

Aaron Tshibola had a fantastic chance to score Killie’s third of the day on 62 minutes after some great play carved St Johnstone wide open, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.

Shortly after, St Johnstone made Killie pay. On a counter attack from Killie’s corner, they broke at pace. Cotterill was played in, and did well to run into the box before scoring with a thunderous finish.

Killie pushed for a winner. The ball came off the crossbar after a corner, but St Johnstone cleared the subsequent danger as it bounced around the six-yard box. Both Tyreece John-Jules and Nicky Cleșcenco then went agonisingly close to scoring with efforts just past the posts.

George Stanger then had a shot saved from the edge of the box as he stepped into midfield after winning the ball back, while John-Jules was denied at point-blank range with a header after great wing play by Kiltie.

The game ended in stalemate as Killie huffed and puffed, but couldn’t apply the finishing touch to get another goal.

Attendance: 4,615

Team: Mantl, Brandon, McCarthy, Deas (Schjønning-Larsen, 70’), Ring (Cleșcenco, 58’), Hugill, Kiltie, Stanger, Lowery, Daniels (John-Jules, 58’), Tshibola.

Unused subs: Ferrie, Kamson-Kamara, McKenzie, Meier, Mathurin, Owen.

Booked: Tshibola, Brandon, Cleșcenco.