St Johnstone missed the chance to pull themselves closer to the Premiership’s top half after defeat to Kilmarnock.
The Perth side had been hoping for three points following their loss to St Mirren last time out at home, but the McDiarmid Park faithful were forced to endure another disappointing afternoon – a fifth straight league defeat – as they went down to Allan Johnston’s men.
Saints had started well and dominated the opening exchanges before going ahead after just 10 minutes in somewhat controversial fashion.
James McFadden’s cross to the back post caused all sorts of problems in the Killie defence and keeper Conor Brennan, deputising for the injured Craig Samson, could only parry the ball as far as Murray Davidson who swept the ball goalwards.
Manuel Pascali was positioned on the goal-line and made a desperate attempt to clear, but referee Craig Thomson ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
One might have thought that Saints might go on to score more at that stage, but they somehow found themselves behind as Killie’s Josh Magennis netted a quick-fire double.
Magennis grabbed his first thanks to a back post header from a Ross Barbour cross in 19 minutes, before he doubled his tally three minutes later by heading a Sammy Clingan corner beyond Alan Mannus at the front post.
After Magennis missed a gilt-edged chance for a third when he headed over from close range, Saints thought they had levelled just before the break when Davidson bundled home a Graham knockdown at the back post.
However, referee Thomson disallowed the goal for handball and booked the Saints player in the process.
Saints huffed and puffed to create openings in the second half but Brian Easton’s short backpass almost gifted Killie a third at the other end with 15 minutes to go, although Mannus was equal to Magennis’ effort.
As it turned out, Saints remain ninth after results elsewhere meant they would slip no further down the Premiership standings but fans must be fearful that a place in the top six is looking like an increasingly big ask.For full reaction, see Monday’s Courier.