ST MIRREN are making heavy weather of this Scottish Cup campaign. Having required a replay to edge past Dundee United in the previous round, they took their time to earn even that from this one.
And the hardy souls who turn out at Love Street a week on Tuesday to see things settled will be hoping for a better quality of play to justify their presence.
It wasn't the showpiece the SFA would have been hoping for, having coerced notables such
as Michel Platini into foregoing the luxury of Gleneagles for an afternoon at McDiarmid Park. And on this evidence there's little wonder moves are afoot to ensure there is no route into Europe via the Scottish Cup for clubs from the lower reaches of the top flight or the SFL unless they actually achieve the incredible and win the trophy. On this evidence, that isn't a concern.
After all, if they struggled this badly to get a passing game going against each other – and at times it was a real struggle – whoever does survive this round will need to improve significantly to trouble their next opponents. A masterful performer in his heyday, the UEFA statesman would surely have struggled to comprehend this was actually the country's primary cup competition getting towards the business end of things.
It certainly wasn't evident at the outset who held Scottish Premier League status as St Johnstone gave their guests a tough time. Peter MacDonald, Gary Irvine and Kevin Rutkiewicz had all prompted Chris Smith's involvement by the time St Mirren could muster a shot at the St Johnstone goal. Despite playing three men up front, when their first goal chance arrived it came from the boot of one of their defenders, David Van Zanten.
The battle, as it was, was played out in midfield where St Johnstone had the numerical advantage, squeezing their SPL opponents and preventing them from getting too far out their own half. They were worthy of their lead, when it arrived in the 32nd minute, but even the goal was devoid of any real flair, coming from the penalty spot. Hugh Murray was the man who gave the home side the opportunity, felling Goran Stanic as he broke into the box. Liam Craig, on loan from Falkirk, took responsibility and sent Smith the wrong way, sending him to his right as he slotted the ball low into his lefthand corner.
St Johnstone were looking good for the win at that stage as St Mirren were still struggling to carve anything out in front of goal.
Another penalty decision came midway through the second half when Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald exchanged passes, the later eventually taking the shot but finding Iain Maxwell in the way. There were appeals for hand ball but, in fairness, there seemed little the defender could do at such short range.
A few minutes later there was another lucky break for the visitors, when Jackson's effort from a Craig corner was cleared off the line by Van Zanten. That was in the 71st minute and it proved a pivotal moment in the match because two minutes later St Mirren had equalised.
Throwing Stewart Kean on in the 72nd minute for Maxwell, Gus McPherson took a gamble on the extra attacking player as his team chased a goal and he played his part when it arrived. A long ball upfield was knocked down by Kean, Craig Dargo played it in for Andy Dorman, who timed his run well and lobbed Alan Main, who had tried to beat him to the ball.
That sparked St Mirren's best spell of the match but St Johnstone could still have nicked it had their appeals for another penalty been granted.
This time it was Mark Corcoran with the foul but while Andy Jackson landed in the box, the referee deemed the contact had come outside the penalty box. Then, with just two minutes of the match remaining Kevin James, on to pose an aerial threat, nodded down a Craig corner but Jackson couldn't quite get the better of Smith so he tried to finish from close in.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Liam Craig not only scored but was part of a midfield which gave St Mirren little room to play in the first half and continued working hard.
ASIDE: The crime may have been committed years ago but Alan Main has evidently not been forgiven for his blunders on the last day of the season, which saw St Mirren relegated. The visiting fans gave him pelters all day.
The full article contains 771 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
