Dons dump Saints with late strike

Aug 24 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

St Johnstone 0 Aberdeen 1

THEY began turning up around noon and at full-time celebrated as if the title had been signed, sealed and dispatched to Pittodrie.

Around half the 6000-plus crowd had been conscripted for a Red Army invasion of Perth, with early season optimism generated by a four goal whipping inflicted on hapless Hamilton on day one in the Granite City.

And they left in fine fettle, briefly top of the table after two games thanks to a strike four minutes from the end of a battle of wits which had nil-nil stamped all over it.

As the second-half dragged on, few would have wagered their loose change on one side or the other creating a decent chance, never mind converting it.

But in the 86th minute, debutant Alan Maybury's attempted pass down the line was charged down by winger Aluko, who overcame his surprise at escaping the defender's clutches to bomb down the line and roll in cross to the penalty spot.

Substitute Darren Mackie got there before Danny Grainger's desperate lunge and his sclaffed left-foot connection wrong-footed keeper Peter Enckelman and trundled through legs to worm into the far corner.

It was a bitter blow for a Perth defence which had nullified the Dons attack, even with Grainger being thrown in earlier than expected to replace Liam Craig, when his deputy's hamstring twanged.

While neither outfit was able to break free of the shackles debilitating their more creative talents, the more obvious opportunities were scorned by Saints.

In the 12th minute Marcus Haber's left flank role almost bore fruit when he romped clear of Considine only for a desperate Diamond intervention to deny Sam Parkin a potshot.

In the 17th minute, one-time Don and current muso Kevin Rutkiewicz should have triggered celebratory anthems when the goal gaped from five yards as he latched onto a Cleveland Taylor cross. But instead of picking his spot, he slashed his shot wide. Instead of succumbing to the blues and retreating into his shell, the defender got his act together and scooped the sponsor's man of the match award.

Dons keeper Howard was having palpitations every time he heard Parkin rumbling in his direction, with three crosses spilled in the striker's presence.

Within seconds of Grainger being pitched in, the ball was in the net behind a stranded Enckelman, although the whistle had sounded for an offence spotted by referee Steven McLean in a congested penalty area before Considine's touch on a Hartley free-kick wrought any damage.

Seconds from the break, the Dons goalie had to look sharp to divert Haber's touch on one of Grainger's Rory Delap style throw-ins, which carry the currency of a corner kick – a rare save.

Another Grainger missile almost penetrated the Dons armour in the 52nd minute but Murray Davidson's header sailed over the bar, before Pawlett burst through at the other end only to curl a 20-yarder wide.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee, earlier lectured with Tony Docherty after differing views of a clash which saw Hartley carded for felling Davidson with a leading arm and Jody Morris cautioned in the fall-out, was demanding a spot-kick when Macguire stumbled and Michael Duberry calmly mopped-up.

Effervescent Chris Millar, who spent much of the match keeping tabs on Hartley, started and tried to finish off a rare fluid move but his guided shot lacked any venom.

A Millar cross aimed at Parkin was headed over by Diamond as the Dons coped with punts into their penalty area, with few Saints deliveries coming from wide areas. A Diamond mistake almost let in Collin Samuel but with Alba's broadcaster's bracing themselves for slim pickings, Mackie stole in to snatch the points.

ST JOHNSTONE: Enckelman, Maybury, Craig (Grainger 35), Morris, Rutkiewicz, Duberry, Davidson, Millar, Parkin, Taylor (Samuel 72) and Haber (Dobie 72). Subs not used: Smith, Caddis, Gartland and May.

ABERDEEN: Howard, McArdle, Diamond, Folly, Considine, Ifil, Macguire (Mackie 68), Hartley, Pawlett (Fyvie 75), Magennis (Vernon 68) and Aluko. Subs not used: Langfield, Young, Forster and Megginson.

Referee: Steven McLean.