Late goal means Saints match 46-year-old unbeaten record

Feb 24 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Queen of the South 3 St Johnstone 3

THE LATE Roy Castle used to say dedication's what you need if you want to become a record-breaker.

And Derek Holmes' last-gasp strike against Queen of the South showed St Johnstone have that in abundance.

The 30-year-old striker's 87th minute leveller ensured it is now 19 First Division games since the men from McDiarmid tasted defeat.

They are now on a par with Bobby Brown's 1963 side and have the opportunity to write their own chapter in the club's history books when rivals Dundee arrive in the Fair City this weekend.

But any thoughts of setting a new benchmark on derby day, and extending the seven-point lead held over the chasing pack before their trip to Palmerston, were put firmly to one side after the Perth side fell 2-0 behind.

Former Saint Barry Wilson opened the scoring after scuffing an ill-judged Liam Craig back-pass beyond Alan Main.

The veteran goalkeeper, along with fast-retreating captain Kevin Rutkiewicz, looked to have the situation in hand as the ball trundled towards the line, seemingly in slow motion.

But the pair somehow got their wires crossed whilst clearing the danger, and only contrived to bundle the ball over the line.

Manager Derek McInnes, who made three changes from the side who triumphed over Livingston on Valentine's Day, was left dumbstruck in Dumfries.

His involvement in the opener apart, the imposing Rutkiewicz was a rock at the heart of the Saints’ defence.

The centre-half had a bullet header saved prior to Wilson's strike and won everything in the air against a lively Queen's attack.

But despite the 28-year-old's best efforts, this competitive contest was tilted further in the direction of Gordon Chisholm's home side shortly after half-time.

Another former Saint, Stephen Dobbie, accepted Barry Wilson's free-kick to feet on 52 minutes and – after jinking past several despairing challenges – finished expertly past Main.

Despite their two goal advantage, one veteran Doonhamer in the Main Stand suggested this was the most combative St Johnstone side to appear in the Borders for many-a-year.

This work-rate finally earned its due reward as Rutkiewicz lashed home a knocked-down Liam Craig set piece from just inside the area on 56 minutes.

Parity was then restored after midfielder Chris Millar made the most of referee Anthony Law's decision to award McInnes' men a disputed throw-in.

Debutant left-back Richie Byrne's looping effort caused havoc within the home defence and allowed Derek Holmes to lay the ball off to the on-rushing Millar 22 yards out.

The former Morton man’s first goal for the club sparked jubilant celebrations amongst the travelling fans, but the euphoria only lasted a matter of minutes.

The pulsating end-to-end action moved once more towards the away goal and a cross from the Queen's left was rifled into Alan Main's top right-hand corner by the energetic Paul Burns.

It is to the league leaders' credit that they refused to let their heads drop after Burns' spectacular strike.

Especially after losing key men Jody Morris and Collin Samuel to injury in a game that showcased all of the First Division’s trademark blood and thunder.

Richie Byrne, solid on his first start since joining on loan from Inverness, was sacrificed with ten minutes remaining to allow Peter MacDonald to shake-up the Saints forward line.

But it was fellow frontman Holmes who re-wrote the headlines as he latched onto a Paul Sheerin centre and crashed a left-footed drive past Queen’s Lee Robinson.

Although hardly an Oscar-worthy performance, hard-earned points such as these could well hold the key to an award-winning campaign further down the line.

Queen of the South: Robinson, McCann, Harris (Aitken 88), Barr, Lancaster, Scally, Wilson (McQuilken 80), MacFarlane, Burns, O'Connor, Dobbie (Kean 80). Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Tosh.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Byrne (MacDonald 79), Rutkiewicz, Gartland, Morris (Swankie 71), Millar, Craig, Sheerin, Holmes, Samuel (Milne 46). Subs Not Used: McLean, McCaffrey.