Kilmarnock were left frustrated at Rugby Park as they could only draw with St Johnstone, despite plenty of clear-cut chances and a man advantage.
Kimarnock tried to press the issue in the opening seconds with multiple lobbed balls forward that were dealt with by the St Johnstone backline. At the other end, Josh Fowler arguably should have scored for the visitors within the first five minutes. The ball dropped to the in-form forward in the Killie box following a corner kick, but Fowler could not get the shot away.
The game took a very dramatic turn in the 10th minute after St Johnstone goalkeeper Toby Steward appeared to pick up the ball outside his box when coming out to intercept a through ball. After a VAR check, the St Johnstone goalkeeper was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Kilmarnock took advantage of the extra man advantage immediately. After Greg Kiltie’s shot from the resulting free kick hit the wall, but the Killie winger crossed the ball back into the box and found Cathal McCarthy, who headed home for the hosts.
Kilmarnock didn’t let up and continued to press for a second goal straight after scoring. St Johnstone were forced to absorb a lot of pressure and struggled to create chances of their own. Josh Fowler found himself quite isolated up top for the Saints.
Killie’s forwards put themselves right up against the St Johnstone centre backs and kept them under pressure whenever they had the chance. Joe Hugill and Djenairo Daniëls broke free of their markers a couple of times, but couldn’t manage to create any meaningful chances. Daniëls broke free in behind the backline again in the 31st minute and managed to score, but it was quickly ruled out for offside.
St Johnstone continued to defend valiantly while down a man, but Kilmarnock lacked cutting edge and never really created a clear chance for themselves.
The visitors almost found themselves level in the 39th minute, but Nico Mantl made a great save from point-blank range to deny Josh Fowler. St Johnstone would then make their rare attacking spell count less than a minute later as Danny Schmidt headed in an equaliser for the visitors.
Kilmarnock regained the lead almost immediately through Daniëls. Hugill was played in behind the St Johnstone backline and cut the ball back to Daniels, who finished it well into the bottom right corner to cap off a hectic five-minute spell at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock deservedly led at the break, but could feel frustrated at the goal they conceded and the fact they hadn’t scored more against the ten men of St Johnstone.
The second half started like the first half ended. Kilmarnock continued to put St Johnstone under pressure for the opening five minutes of the half. Another goalkeeping error almost cost St Johnstone dearly when Joe Hugill got in the way of an attempted clearance by substitute goalkeeper Ross Sinclair. Fortunately for Sinclair, the ball rebounded out of play.
The visitors started to grow into the game more after that, much to the frustration of the home support. St Johnstone had a couple of opportunities from set pieces that almost found a man in the box, but Kilmarnock managed to frantically clear the ball away.
Tyreece John-Jules was brought on in the 58th minute and almost made an immediate impact. The forward managed to get on the end of a great cross, but could not get enough purchase on the header to direct it on target. Fellow substitute Nicky Cleșcenco came close minutes later, but his cushioned effort from just outside the box was narrowly wide.
The chances kept coming for the hosts as Aaron Tshibola was played clean through on goal following a great passage of play. The Killie midfielder could only fire his shot straight at goalkeeper Sinclair, but there was a sense that a third goal was coming.
That all changed in the blink of an eye as St Johnstone equalised out of nowhere. Joe Cotterill was played through following a quick counter attack from the visitors. Cotterill controlled the lobbed pass brilliantly with his head before slotting the ball past Mantl in the Kilmarnock goal.
The game opened up massively after the equaliser from the Saints. Kilmarnock hit the post following a set piece before St Johnstone threatened to score again after another quickfire counter attack. Both sets of fans were in full voice as the game went from end to end.
John-Jules came close again with a great acrobatic effort in the 73rd minute, but his overhead kick attempt was just wide. Cleșcenco had another cushioned sidefoot effort just minutes after which again went just wide of the post. The frustration from the home fans was clear as Kilmarnock continued to waste great chances.
Kilmarnock continued to press for the winner in the final 10 minutes. George Stanger made a marauding run from centre back and got his shot away from just outside the box, but Sinclair was equal to it.
Sinclair was called upon again after a brilliant cross from Kiltie found John-Jules. The Saints goalkeeper pulled off a great save to keep the game level with less than five minutes to play.
Despite continued pressure, Kilmarnock could not find a late winner and the home fans vented their frustration at the team at the full-time whistle.
Kilmarnock
Nico Mantl (GK), Jamie Brandon, Cathal McCarthy, Robbie Deas (Michael Schjønning-Larsen 71’), Djenairo Daniëls (Nicky Cleșcenco 58’), Tom Lowery, Aaron Tshibola, George Stanger, Erik Ring (Tyreece John-Jules 58’), Greg Kiltie, Joe Hugill
St Johnstone
Toby Steward (GK) (Sent off 13’), Enes Alic, Cheick Diabate, Bozo Mikulic (Daniel Finlayson 67’), Matty Tod (Matthew Foulds 46’), Reece McAlear, Jason Holt (Logan Chalmers 62’), Taylor Steven (Ross Sinclair 14’), Joe Cotterill, Danny Schmidt, Josh Fowler (Josh Campbell 46’)
