Kilmarnock's new signings, midfielder Benjamin Laurent and defender
Billy Berntsson had to settle for places on the bench as the Rugby Park
club hosted St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.
Home manager Mixu Paatelainen made just two enforced changes
following the Ayrshire side's Scottish Cup defeat at Ibrox last Monday -
James Fowler and Tim Clancy started in place of the injured Craig Bryson
and suspended Jamie Hamill.
Peter MacDonald, who came off the bench to net St Johnstone's late
winner in their midweek Scottish Cup tie at Hearts, was rewarded with a
starting place for the visitors, swapping places with Sam Parkin, who
was among the substitutes' ranks.
Kilmarnock earned a corner in the first minute, and although Alexei
Eremenko's delivery from the left was cleared, it set the tone for an
entertaining opening period.
Mehdi Taouil was particularly lively on the hosts' left wing, and
David MacKay made an important clearance in the six-yard box on 10
minutes when an Eremenko cross from the right looked destined to arrive
perfectly for Liam Kelly.
At the other end, MacDonald had St Johnstone's first real chance when
he sent a diving diagonal header well wide of the left-hand post.
Kilmarnock took a deserved lead on 16 minutes with a clever,
well-worked goal from the training ground after Kelly had been brought
down for a free kick.
Eremenko stood over the set piece, towards the left flank, and
bypassed the visiting defence by slipping it neatly up the line for the
anticipating Sammon, who slid a neat close-range finish low into Peter
Enckelman's net.
Kilmarnock remained in the ascendancy with Sammon and Taouil
regularly bearing down on goal.
Enckelman had to look smart to rush out and scoop the ball to safety
on 27 minutes after another impressive Kilmarnock move starting with an
Eremenko back-heel to Tim Clancy, advancing at pace from right-back.
Michael Duberry did well to intercept a Taouil pass intended for
well-positioned Sammon on the half-hour, and visiting goalkeeper
Enckelman then made two important saves just moments apart.
First he caught the ball at the left-hand post to prevent Hay
doubling his side's lead by meeting Eremenko's precise long cross from
the right with a good header.
Enckelman then stopped Sammon making it 2-0 after the striker beat
Duberry to latch onto a fantastic Taouil pass from inside his own half
and strode in on goal, only for the goalkeeper to smother it on the
six-yard line.
The hosts were well in control - but almost saw Samuel equalise two
minutes from the break with a rising shot which home goalkeeper Cammy
Bell stretched to tip over the bar.
The second half got underway with some meaty challenges although only
one booking, Eremenko and Jody Morris taking particular exception after
a clash on the left touchline which had the duo bickering for several
moments even after the intervention of referee Steven McLean.
MacDonald came agonisingly close to an equaliser for St Johnstone
eight minutes after the restart, but put his glancing header from Danny
Grainger's corner narrowly wide of the opposite post.
Grainger then took a free kick from just outside the box, but his
effort sailed harmlessly well over the bar.
St Johnstone enjoyed far more possession and goal attempts in a more
even second half, but without seriously troubling Bell in the home goal.
Sammon then squandered a good opportunity as the game entered its
final quarter, Taouil skipping past Duberry on the halfway line to put
the striker clear, only for him to pull his shot well wide.
The visitors introduced forward Cleveland Taylor for the final 20
minutes and pressed hard for an equaliser but without being able to
capitalise on a number of free kicks and corners.
Bell was relieved only to concede a corner on 76 minutes when he was
unable to control a quick close-range passback from Mohamadou Sissoko in
the miserable and constantly blustery conditions.
The home goalkeeper reacted well to push away a close-range header
from Murray Davidson eight minutes from time - and immediately at the
other end, Enckelman was called into action to stop a Sammon effort.
However, four minutes from time, St Johnstone earned the equaliser
which the second-half showings had merited when Taylor ran onto a ball
down the right wing and was able to slot home a drilled effort which
nestled in the opposite corner of the net.
Berntsson made a late debut for the hosts with two minutes left.
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