St Mirren picked up what could be a crucial point after a 0-0 draw with 10 man St Johnstone at the Simple Digital Arena.
The Buddies will be frustrated they didn't pick up all three points in the battle of the Saints, especially with Hamilton Academical and Hearts both picking up midweek wins.
Alex Jakubiak caused the St Johnstone defence trouble in the opening 15 minutes. His first was a shot from outside the box. The striker then went on two driving runs, wining corners on both occasions.
The hosts very nearly came close to opening the scoring when Jon Obika clipped the inside of Zander Clark’s post and trickling along the goal line but there were no black and white shirts to tap it in.
The first chance of the second half fell the way of the visitors. Anthony Ralston broke forward and received the ball inside the Buddies’ box but Hladky was there to make the save. Jakubiak had another chance to break the deadlock. He twisted and turned his way into the St Johnstone box bit is shot was straight at the keeper.
The game sparked into life for the last 15 minutes. Drey Wright played an inviting ball into the box but Lee Hodson was there to put the ball out for a corner. Jason Kerr hit the crossbar from the resulting corner.
St Johnstone then went down to ten men as Liam Craig was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Tony Andreu.
Jamie McGrath delivered a good cross from a wide area and substitute, Seifedin Chabbi, saw his header go agonisingly past the post.
Jon Obika had a terrific chance to grab a late winner. He held the ball up strongly in the box before turning and getting a shot away but Clark had to dive low to his left hand side to tip it round the post.
The Buddies threw everything they had at St Johnstone for the entire five minutes of stoppage time but the Buddies were unable to find a way through the wall of defenders.
Full-Time: St Mirren 0-0 St Johnstone
St Mirren: Hladky, Hodson, McCarthy, Famewo, Waters, McGrath, Foley (c), Wallace (Chabbi 84), Durmus (Morias 75), Jakubiak (Andreu 67), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, McAllister, Mullen
St Johnstone: Clark, Ralston, Kerr (c), McCart, Booth, Wright, McCann, Craig, Wotherspoon (O'Halloran 65), Kane (Butcher 83), May (Swanson 75)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Gordon, Holt, Tanser
Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawfored
Fourth Official: Steven Reid
Attendance: 4,287
Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography
