Saints’ Hampden dream now depends on replay

Mar 11 2008

THEY'VE got a namecheck in another cup semi-final but there's a Paisley replay to negotiate before Perth fans can ink in another Hampden date in the diary.

It's advantage St Mirren as the toiling SPL side rescued a tie which threatened to slip from their grasp.

But Derek McInnes and his players just have to look back on impressive wins at Falkirk and Motherwell last term if they need a reminder that road trips can be productive.

For long spells, it looked like the big wigs of world football would only be concerning themselves with one Saints name for the convoluted semi-final draw down the road at Gleneagles.

The home team were odds-on to extend Liam Craig's 32nd minute lead, crafted from the penalty spot.

It was more windswept and interesting than exquisitely engrossing for observing UEFA head honcho Michel Platini, a lad who could play a bit himself. Even the French maestro would have been tested in foul conditions.

But the Buddies owned up to a sense of relief at getting a second bite at the cherry. They feared their cup campaign was being blown out of sight.

McInnes again demonstrated his tactical nous and flexibility, with Steven Anderson instructed to restrain winger Corcoran and Gary Irvine advanced into midfield where his mobility complemented the guile of impressive home debutant Jody Morris.

Steven Milne dropped into the hole behind the front two. And late in the contest, the manager's ambition was encapsulated by a substitution which invited club captain Kevin James to create mayhem in the Buddies penalty area in a makeshift striking role.

His presence scared the living daylights out of red-shirted rivals, with top scorer Andy Jackson hauled down inches outside the penalty box by Corcoran from one knockdown. Then James got a header on target from a last minute corner, with keeper Chris Smith a relieved man as he snatched the spilled ball from effervescent predator Jackson.

Playing in a wind tunnel, neither side seriously threatened before Stanic was sent flying by a mistimed Murray challenge as the full-back bombed into the danger zone.

It wasn't one of assured referee McDonald's tougher calls.

With Paul Sheerin on the bench, Craig sent the keeper one way and the ball the other.

The game had been played out in the visitors half but the confident Perth Saints sought out a second, with Alan Main's boot upfield gusting into Peter MacDonald's path and Smith managed to block his stretching poked effort.

Then the striker was thwarted by a defensive intervention and vexed Buddies fans made their feelings known at the break.

Main suspected he'd be singled out by visitors harbouring wilder conspiracy theories than the man from Harrods.

He wasn't disappointed as he took up position in front of the packed north stand. He should consult a libel lawyer.

With the gale at their backs, St Mirren finally forced a corner but the goalie had Corcoran's inswinger covered, even if it did land on top of the crossbar.

A slick 57th minute attack triggered by Jackson's wheel and pass saw MacDonald frustratingly close to converting Milne's teasing cross. Then he tugged a 20-yarder wide and teed-up Jackson.

The youngster's shot struck an arm but the claim was a non-starter.

St Johnstone scented that semi-final draw and only a timely van Zanten block prevented Jackson's header on a Craig corner wrecking the Buddies prospects.

Within two minutes, that proved even more crucial.

A substitution created some confusion but the upshot was a surging run from midfield by Andy Dorman and with an otherwise impressive Irvine off the pace, the Paisley midfielder lofted a precision finish over advancing keeper Main.

The Buddies threatened to snatch an ill-deserved win four minutes from the end when Allan McManus blemished a solid display by misjudging a header.

But Dargo's strike was ballooned into the stand. So home advantage to St Mirren but the Perth Saints won't be quivering in their boots.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Stanic, Anderson (James 86), Rutkiewicz, McManus, Morris, Craig, Jackson, Milne and MacDonald (Sheerin 79). Subs not used: Quinn, Wilson and Cuthbert.

St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Corcoran (Miranda 88), Mason, Haining, Potter, Murray (McGinn 46), Dorman, Mehmet, Maxwell (Kean 73) and Dargo. Subs not used: McAusland and Howard.

Referee: Dougie McDonald.