The Magic Minute

Last updated : 16 March 2006 By Stuart Gillespie
Technically it was a bit more than five minutes but we won't bother about that. Thereprobably hasn't been such a turn around involving Saints in such a short space of time since our dramatic 2-1 win against Raith Rovers at Kirkcaldy in 2000.

First to events at Dingwall. St. Johnstone had taken the lead against Ross County thanks to an early Jim Lauchlan own goal (proving my theory that he is useless once and for all), a goal that saw County keeper Stuart Garden ruled out for the season.

In the second half St. Johnstone had two goals disallowed, whilst County scored twice to go into a 2-1 lead.

Then came the 88th minute. St. Johnstone had a corner, and up came their goalkeeper Matty Glennon. Eventually the ball fell to him and he forced it home. Glennon has previously played for Carlisle United, and considering what Jimmy Glass did for them a few years ago you have to wonder if this is something they teach their goalkeepers to do.

Before Glennon's goal St. Mirren's lead was coming down to three points, as we were drawing at home with Queen of the South. The equaliser meant it would stay at five points.

Let's move to Love Street, where Saints have been trying all afternoon to score. Charlie Adam and John Sutton have both missed golden opportunities, and it doesn't look good. Dropped points here could have a major effect on the league table and the states of minds of the squad.

Then came the 92nd minute. Substitute Stewart Kean crossed, Adam chested and fired the ball past Colin Scott for the winner. Love Street went wild, Adam kicked the corner flag with delight (and was booked) and generally all was right with the world.

The gap had suddenly gone up to seven points with eight games left (or seven if you're St. Johnstone). However, the last few minutes on Saturday may have had a far more damaging blow on the chances of our challengers, especially Ross County. They were heading to within three points of us, then find themselves seven behind! God knows what that has done to their mental state.

Saturday did not win us the first division title, and there is still a hell of a long way to go. However, if we do end up winning the league this season, fans will remember The Magic Minute for quite some time.