Kilmarnock beat St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park for the second time this season in what was a desperately disappointing afternoon for the home team.
The Ayrshire men netted in each half against a Saints side that struggled to get out of first gear throughout.
St Johnstone’s squad was stretched for the game with Murray Davidson, Danny Swanson, Keith Watson and Graham Cummins all missing out through injury while Liam Craig was suspended. Paul Paton returned from a ban but had to be content with a place in the bench.
The home side were stunned in just the 11th minute when Kilmarnock took a sensational lead. Home keeper Zander Clark kicked a clearance straight to Rory McKenzie and the Killie player did not hesitate before hitting a looping effort from all of 40 yards back over the goalie and into the back of the net.
Kilmarnock tails were up and Clark had to look lively to dive and palm away a Conor Sammon shot from 22 yards.
Saints were struggling to get into the game and they could have fallen further behind in the 27th minute when Sean Longstaff had two great chances in quick succession.
His first was a smart shot from 12 yards that Clark did really well to keep out low to his left. The ball was played back in towards Longstaff but he directed his header straight at the keeper when he should have done much better.
St Johnstone finally fashioned a half chance in the 39th minute but Steven MacLean’s header looped over Freddie Woodman’s bar and onto the roof of the net.
The home side’s dismal first half was possibly best summed up shortly after when David Wotherspoon sent a corner in from the left that flew all the way to the opposite touchline and out for a throw.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the home side huffing and puffing to little effect while Killie tried to hit on the break and add to their lead.
Saints enjoyed plenty of possession but there was no end product with Woodman a virtual spectator.
Kilmarnock then made it two in the 71st minute. Greg Taylor swung a deep cross in from the left towards Sammon lurking at the St Johnstone back post with the striker producing a downward header that squirmed through Clark’s hands and into the net.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
