Signs of recovery for Saints despite cup exit

Aug 29 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

COMING hard on the heels of two poor performances littered with costly defensive mistakes, a cup exit wasn’t the perfect pick-me-up.

But there was enough vim and vigour about this Almondvale extra-time exit to hint the early season clouds hanging over McDiarmid Park could be moving on.

The bottom line was that in-form Livingston squeezed into the third round draw, cashing in on fatal moments of uncertainty after the Perth side had secured a well-earned advantage.

But fans who made the midweek trip to West Lothian gave their defeated players a rousing ovation at full-time.

It was in sharp contrast to feelings vented at Firhill days earlier.

Once again, manager Derek McInnes made wholesale changes in a bid to get the formula, and attitude, spot on. Loan signing Alan Morgan enjoyed a sound a debut in the problematic left-back slot within hours of arriving from Kilmarnock.

Fellow debutant Nick McCoy teamed-up with Martin Hardie at the core of the Perth midfield to protect the backline and rid Saints of the soft centre tag.

With Stuart McCaffrey creating from the back, McKoy covered the terrain in front, broke up play and wasted precious little when he secured possession.

That base gave Chris Millar, Paul Sheerin, and later Liam Craig, scope to play.

Slowly but surely confidence seeped back into Perth ranks and the outcome was harsh given the effort and commitment given to the cause.

Sheerin was forced out after a sprightly start and Derek Holmes was another casualty before the interval, after a murky collision with Chris Innes.

Their replacements seized the chance to stake claims for starting slots this weekend.

Craig, in particular, retrieved the form which had fans acclaiming his long-term commitment to the club after last season’s loan spell.

While he collected another booking for dissent – referee Steven Nicholls infuriated Saints players and fans alike – his energetic left-sided charges and telling deliveries was capped by a 47th minute opener.

He slammed home the cross laid on a plate by interval sub Collin Samuel.

It was no more than Saints deserved, although brave keeper Alan Main had been tested by Davidson and highly rated Leigh Griffiths in the opening phase.

Saints, on the other hand, were denied when McKenzie tipped over Millar’s angled shot after a flowing upfield move.

The penetration all their possession lacked was provided soon after the break but the Perth Achilles heel has been set pieces this term.

In the 58th minute, Innes rose to head on a corner and Griffiths spun to squeeze in a touch at the post.

Saints looked likely to seize the winner in regulation time, with Craig close to converting a Millar touch.

They dominated the extra half-hour but a split second’s hesitation by an otherwise solid Steven Anderson, distracted by a colleague in the penalty area, allowed Jean Cuenca to bag the winner.

The centre-back then missed with a header, there was a spot-kick claim turned down, and McKenzie was lucky to get in the way of a Hardie shot before defying Jackson and Samuel.

Livingston: McKenzie, MacKay, Hamill, McPake, Fox (Miller 61), Innes, Quinn, Davidson, Griffiths, Cuenca and McParland (Cave 61). Subs: Smith, McDonald and Martini.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Morgan, McKoy (Swankie 80), Anderson, McCaffrey, Millar, Hardie, Jackson, Holmes (Samuel 46) and Sheerin (Craig 37). Subs: Milne and McLean.

Referee: Steven Nicholls.