This was not a great performance from either side. It almost seemed as if Gus MacPherson was back in charge at times as our passing seemed far too slow and one dimensional. Paul McGowan was pretty poor by his usual standards and Gareth Wardlaw also did little of note.
St. Johnstone weren't much better, however as the game wore on they looked the more likely side to score. And so it proved, as they scored just seconds from the end of the 90 minutes. The only good thing is Aberdeen got horsed so we're still 10th, three points above bottom spot.
As with the preview, this report will refer to St. Mirren as Saints and St. Johnstone as the Saintees, which is their nickname.
For once, Mirren Mad was spot on with it's predicted team changes as the only alteration saw Michael Higdon replace Aaron Mooy. Paul McQuade made a welcome return to the bench and also there was Sean Lynch, with his three-in-a-bed mates Darren McGregor and Paddy Cregg both starting. The Saintees started with Peter MacDonald, who is an annoying wee git who tried to cripple Andy Millen a few years ago. Other threats were likely to come from Liam Craig, Sam Parkin, Chris Millar and veteran Jody Morris.
Higdon tamely headed an effort into the arms of Peter Enckelman inside the first 60 seconds. Then not a lot happened for 15 minutes or so. The Saintees knocked the ball about at the back, we seemed happy to let them do it, and neither keeper had a proper save to make. Gareth Wardlaw was fouled by two Saintees players inside the box but apparently that's not enough for a penalty these days.
Higdon went close with the next real chance, a woeful Paul McGowan corner falling for the Englishman but his effort was blocked on the line by Craig. It was then MacDonald's turn to threaten when Parkin chested the ball down to him, but he failed to get a proper connection and shot wide. The Saintees seemed to have identified Steven Thomson as a danger man, with with Morris and Steven Anderson entering the book for fouls on the midfielder.
Higdon was thwarted once again 12 minutes from the break when a great pass from Marc McAusland was collected by David van Zanten, who raced on before delivering a cross that the big striker headed towards goal, only for Enckleman to pull off a fine save with his legs. A great move and an equally good block from the Saintees goalie.
They then lost Murray Davidson to injury just before the break, so it was Family Guy star Cleveland Taylor who came on. He looks rather different in real life - no moustache for one thing. However, he's got a lot of pace and a good cross almost gave Parkin a chance, but fortunately McAusland got there first to put the ball behind. However, the corner wasn't dealt with and eventually ended up at MacKay, whose header was cleared by Thomson as the half ended dull and goalless.
We saw just after the break why Scottish officials have been getting so much abuse when Higdon was fouled by Duberry. The free-kick was given, but there was no booking - despite Higdon having done pretty much the same thing when he got his second booking against Motherwell a few weeks ago. Wonderful consistency.
Sadly, something you can rely on is Saints allowing someone to run forward unchallenged. And so, seven minutes after the break, MacKay burst from the back, breezed past McGowan and sent in a good cross that was met by Parkin. He had no defenders near him and the ball was going nowhere other than the net as the Saintees took the lead. Far too simple and basic. We'd threatened occasionally before going behind, but not enough to make you think this would be just a temporary set back.
The defence was all over the place and the Saintees very nearly had themselves a second when Taylor had plenty of space to produce a cross that was missed by everyone before Craig nearly converted it at the back post.
Then something rather odd happened. When Higdon was fouled just outiside the box by Aberdeen, your correspondent mused that there would be no danger as we're rubbish at free-kicks. Higdon must have heard because he promptly got up and blasted the ball into the net. St. Mirren scoring a free-kick is not something you see very often, and it was a great strike from the big Englishman.
This was turning intol a more entertaining game now and MacKay got up well to meet a Morris corner before Samson clawed it away. When the next corner came in it wasn't dealt with and Park tried to pounce on the indecision, only to shoot wide.
The Saintees seemed to be enjoying more of the possession, but a counter attack saw Higdon play the ball out wide to Vanzy, who charged forward before letting rip with a shot that stung the palms of Enckelman and was knocked away by Craig. The Saintees then countered themselves and won a corner, but Samuel's header was saved by Samson. With five minutes left we finally saw McQuade introduced for Wardlaw, a change that should probably have been made a bit earlier.
So, just seconds remain, it looks as if we're going to get a point - you know the drill. Potter lets Samuel get the wrong side of him, he is able to pick out Craig and he curls the ball into the net. Game over. Cruel, but not exactly unexpected. Don't worry though, it's only Ibrox next week...