79
mins
While the Saints had lost a number of games by
the odd goal, Kilmarnock had enjoyed an excellent
run of form that had produced six wins and two draws
in their last nine SPL matches.
But there were no signs of the Rugby Park side assuming a win would fall into their lap. Instead they carved out a series of chances.
Eremenko had a long-range free-kick saved by Gallacher, then in 28 minutes, when Mehdi Taouil was hauled to the turf on the edge of the box by Marc McAusland, the Saints keeper threw himself to his right to save from the classy midfielder.
St Mirren's best chance of the opening 45 came from unlikely source, but Bell made a great save from defender McGregor's volleyed hook shot.
Three minutes before the break Conor Sammon wasted a glorious chance to put Killie ahead when, six yards out, he flapped at a cross from Ben Gordon and as he moved in to makes amends for his mis-kicked shot Gallacher somehow scrambled the ball to safety.
This fixture may not have quickened pulses in previous seasons but Killie's winning habit and the Buddies attacking set-up produced plenty of goalmouth action in the second half and a few spurned chances at each end.
The chance presented on a plate to Taouil by Sammon was as inviting as a favourite meal, yet the diminutive Moroccan completely missed the big forward's cut-back and the opportunity was gone.
Higdon maintained the stalemate when he
side-footed an effort over the bar from seven yards
when a lighter touch would have surely tested Bell.
Lennon swapped Dargo and McAusland for Wardlaw and Kenneth McLean but they had no time to make any impact before Killie scored their first goal, one that will have left Lennon quivering with rage.
In 64 minutes the Saints defence switched off at
a free-kick; Eremenko did not. Instead, he fed the
ball to Jamie Hamill and his pass across the goal
was knocked into the net from close range by
Liam Kelly for his fourth goal in as many
games.
An untidy spell followed before Killie's captain Craig Bryson (above) settled the match with a deflected shot from 25 yards that flew over Gallacher into the roof of the net, the culmination of a direct attack from keeper Bell via midfielder Taouil.
The Ayrshiremen were bottom of the league earlier in the season. Now they boast a record of only one defeat, by Rangers, in their last 10 league contests.
For the Paisley hosts, they remain mired in the
relegation zone but their endeavour will have
heartened Lennon and fans alike.
Sandy's Match Pic's are HERE
