The action at
both ends was not a good early indicator of what was to follow in the
first quarter of the match as the game settled into a period of
stalemate with both defences in command and the respective midfields
lacking in creativity.
A contributing
factor in the stalemate were the injuries which kept Gary Wales out for
the Ayrshire side and Stewart Kean, a two-goal hero against Hearts last
weekend, for the Buddies.
Their absences
meant Di Giacomo continued up front for Killie while
Alex Burke
was drafted in against his former club for St Mirren.
It took until
the 27th minute for a third piece of goalmouth action and it came at the
visitors' end when Steven Naismith wriggled free in a crowded box to
shoot low towards the bottom corner.
Bullock
parried well and, when the highly-rated Killie youngster pounced on the
rebound, the former Dundee United keeper smothered his second effort.
It started a
better period of possession for the home side and Naismith, courted by
Arsenal earlier this season, tried his luck with a 25-yard drive just
after the half-hour mark which flew narrowly over the bar.
St Mirren
gained more of a grip on midfield for the remainder of the half though,
which meant a return to the earlier tame fare and a frustrating first
half for the home side.
Killie
thought they had made the perfect start to the half when Naismith burst
through the Buddies' defence, chipped the ball over Bullock and headed
into the net from close range - but as he began to celebrate he turned
to see the assistant referee's flag raised for offside.
However nine
minutes in to the second period the home side did take the lead when
Paul Di Giacomo beat St Mirren's lop-sided offside trap to
collect Allan Johnston's clever pass over the top and curl the ball into
the top right-hand corner.
Three minutes
later Jefferies' men - unrecognisable from their lethargic first-half
showing - came close to doubling their advantage when Naismith headed
Invincibile's cross against the bar with Bullock completely helpless.
In a bid to
produce a similar turnaround in his own side,
MacPherson
made a double substitution in the 63rd minute, former Killie men
Andy Millen and Burke being replaced by Richard Brittain and Corcoran.
It had
exactly the desired effect when Brittain slid the ball through for
Corcoran to end his goal drought for the Buddies away from home and
bring his side level.
Killie almost
restored their lead immediately but efforts from Naismith and Nish were
both blocked by desperate challenges from St Mirren defenders.
And five
minutes from time Invincibile was picked out by Di Giacomo on the
penalty spot but the Australian lashed wildly over the bar.
Killie continued to
press for a late winner but could not find a decisive end to their
pressure as the visitors held on for a point.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
53min's
