Despite straying off the goal trail again, St Johnstone declared themselves satisfied with Saturday’s point at Paisley.
In a game dominated by the hosts, manager Derek McInnes and his players were relieved to come away with a point, especially after a first half in which they could have been swept away by St Mirren’s new passing philosophy.
Defender Frazer Wright, whose own heroic block prevented a second-half goal, admitted it took a half-time blast from McInnes to ensure St Mirren didn’t beat the Perth side for the first time in over six years. He said, “We didn’t play the best but any point on the road is a good one.
“We knew they’ve been doing well passing the ball about and they kept the ball well but we’ve kept a clean sheet and could even have nicked it at the end.
“In the first half the gaffer wasn’t very happy and had a few words with us at half time but we regrouped and came out much better in the second.”
Wright’s vital contribution came in 50 minutes when he threw himself in front on Paul McGowan’s netbound drive after Peter Enckelman saved at the feet of the lively Nigel Hasselbaink.
It was one of several close things for St Mirren while St Johnstone were reduced to long-range efforts, although one by freescoring Francisco Sandaza with the last kick of the ball in particular had Paisley hearts in mouths.
Wright said: “I just saw Peter make the save and I’ve tried to get myself back into the line of the ball and luckily for me I’ve kept it out because it was definitely on its way in.”
St Johnstone came to frustrate with a workmanlike midfield to counter St Mirren’s passing in the initial stages and hit Sandaza and Cillian Sheridan with quick balls forward.
It worked to an extent, with the home side failing to trouble Enckelman, although Hasselbaink screwed a shot wide when one on one and Gary Teale had an effort blocked by Liam Craig when a more composed finish would have brought an opener.
The way David van Zanten ran half the length of the pitch unopposed to set up that chance and the space being given McGowan and Hasselbaink concerned McInnes and he introduced Willie Gibson in a half-time midfield re-shuffle.
That almost paid dividends as the winger’s free kick at the start of the half found Sandaza, but his close-range header was blocked.Keep-ballThe game returned to a pattern of ineffectual St Mirren keep-ball they had two-thirds possession but McGowan’s was the only other real chance they created.
McInnes said: “We weren’t at our best and when we come away from home and don’t play as well as we can we have to rely on other characteristics and that’s what we showed in abundance.
“St Mirren had the dominance in the first half and I was disappointed with our organisation but our keeper’s not had a save to make and I was more disappointed with what we did on the ball because we didn’t get at them.
“The second half was more even because our discipline and organisation was better and we created opportunities but not enough of them.”
Counterpart Danny Lennon was disappointed but paid tribute to St Johnstone, adding: “We let ourselves down in the final third of the pitch and that’s the most difficult bit of putting the play together.
“St Johnstone are one of the best organised sides in the Scottish league and it is very, very difficult to break them down.”
In what was never a dirty game, seven players were booked by fussy referee Steven McLean including Jamie Adams, Sandaza, Sheridan and Alan Maybury for St Johnstone.