Season of greeting as Accies hamper SPL hopes

Dec 18 2007

THE thermometer was hovering around zero and that's precisely how much shivering Perth fans would give for their prospects of SPL membership next season.

Santa's reindeers are still limbering-up but if New Douglas Park was masquerading as the Last Chance Saloon, Saints were flung out on their rears.

The cast may have changed substantially since the previous visit but the upshot was the same.

No one needs reminding of the repercussions triggered by events back in April. With one foot jammed in the SPL doorway after a 4-3 win in Lanarkshire, the Perth club was ejected in the cruellest of circumstances.

In terms of sheer drama, this wasn't in the same league. But after this defeat, even in December, the same league is precisely what awaits Saints next year.

In terms of gaps to be bridged, 16 points is the First Division's equivalent of the Grand Canyon.

With just four wins banked, it’s going to take some turnaround to get back in the race.

Shorn of Kevin James, Martin Hardie, Stevie Milne and departed duo Jason Scotland and Simon Mensing, previous manager Owen Coyle had been hoping to buy time until the transfer window. But now the Perth board have to invest faith and resources in his successor, Derek McInnes.

The enforced departure of Kenny Deuchar has proved predictably untimely. And with Dyron Daal unable to stake a claim, the recruitment of a talismanic and powerful centre forward with a penalty box presence will feature high on the new manager's list of priorities.

Title hopes were ebbing away as the draws stacked up, and none of the last six league games have yielded three points.

No one was admitting it after the game, but the bookies will give you handsome odds on anything other than a two horse race through to the spring.

Ironically, Saints were the more poised side for much of the time on the controversial carpet, especially during a first-half marred by what transpired to be Hamilton's winner.

With Rocco Quinn demonstrating his full range of passing and Peter MacDonald terrorising one-time colleague Mensing, Accies rarely escaped their own half. But that wasn't given priority status. They had banked an 11th minute lead and defended it resolutely.

Nice movement from teenage talent James McCarthy shook off Paul Sheerin and James McArthur was unattended when he strode onto the square pass 20 yards out.

Gary Irvine missed out with a despairing lunge and while the shot lacked any real venom, the bounce deceived diving keeper Alan Main. Even two successful head to head challenges later in the game to prevent the Accies counter attacking strategy paying dividends didn't silence critics pointing to 40 candles on the birthday cake.

McInnes handed a debut to loan signing Liam Craig, drafted in from Falkirk on Friday. He played himself in quietly but added much needed stature to this current line-up, steering a 20-yard shot over the target late in the game as the Perth side adopted a bold 4-2-4 formation in search of salvation.

But the only time Saints really asked questions of keeper Bryn Halliwell, who was evicted from McDiarmid after a short-lived stay, was around the hour mark.

Quinn picked out Irvine's surge down the right flank and the full-back's curling cross was perfect. Andy Jackson got his head to it, anticipating a goal from six yards range. But Halliwell instinctively flicked out a glove and got enough purchase on it to send it over the bar.

Saints have been linked with interest in restoring Mensing from Motherwell but this wasn't a good showcase for his talents. He was way off the standards set last term at Perth. After clattering MacDonald the Englishman rattled the striker and Craig in quick succession.

He should have been off but referee Tumelty allowed Accies boss Billy Reid to call him indoors just two minutes after the interval, fearing a red card was inevitable.

For all their pretty passing, Saints were blunt in the Accies penalty box and with Goran Stanic turning in an apprehensive display, Graham should have punished the Macedonian and Saints. But Main barred his way and later halted Wake as Hamilton sensed that the Perth side was losing belief along with the points.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Mensing (Gibson 47), Easton, McCarthy, Elebert, McLaughlin, Winters, McArthur, Offiong (Wake 68), Neil, Graham (Gilhaney 68). Subs not used: Cerny and Wallner.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Stanic (Weatherston 82), Craig, McManus, Anderson, MacDonald, Quinn, Jackson (Stewart 86), Milne (McLaren 74) and Sheerin. Subs not used: Cuthbert and Moon.

Referee: Mike Tumelty.