Kilmarnock vs St Mirren. Scottish Premiership.
The BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.
Report as a fortunate own goal earns St Mirren a late draw at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership; Danny Whitehall had given the home side the lead in the first half at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon
Saturday 2 January 2021 23:56, UK
St Mirren salvaged a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock after a bizarre own goal from their former goalkeeper Danny Rogers in the final minute of the match.
Rogers clutched a deflected cross from Kyle McAllister and then appeared to step backwards over his line with the ball in his hands.
Referee Craig Napier awarded the goal despite the goalkeeper's protests, denying Killie a second win in the space of four days after Danny Whitehall had opened the scoring in the first half.
Kilmarnock had made three changes from their midweek victory over Motherwell. Out went Calum Waters, Mitch Pinnock and Aaron Tshibola, replaced by Brandon Haunstrup, Chris Burke and Youssouf Mulumbu. St Mirren, in contrast, were unchanged from the team defeated by Rangers in midweek.
After a cagey start, Killie went in front with the first chance of the game after 12 minutes. Burke skipped past Brandon Mason before crossing for Whitehall whose header beat Jak Alnwick at the near post.
The home side came close to doubling their lead after 31 minutes. Burke played in Greg Kiltie whose shot went just wide of the far post. From the resultant corner, Alan Power's driven effort sailed narrowly over.
St Mirren barely created a chance of note in the first half. McAllister thought he had finally opened up the Kilmarnock defence with a searching ball for Jon Obika early in the second period but Kirk Broadfoot did well to get back and cover.
Saints' Jamie McGrath then tried his luck with a swerving free-kick from around 30 yards that went just wide.
The flow of play was not helped by an inconsistent performance from the referee who managed to draw the wrath of both teams for a string of curious calls.
Burke set up substitute Nicke Kabamba with a clever back heel but the striker's shot was blocked.
The winger then had a dig himself from a free-kick just outside the penalty box but Alnwick did well to keep it out.
St Mirren then came close to an equaliser. McGrath's corner was headed goalwards by Joe Shaughnessy only for Rogers to make a brilliant save. The rebound fell to Conor McCarthy who could not keep his header under the
crossbar.
That seemed to be the last chance before Rogers' bizarre late intervention.
Kilmarnock boss Alex Dyer: "Overall this season Danny has done really well for us and it's maybe just a lack of judgement.
"He's maybe caught between whether to punch it or catch it. He went to catch it and then his momentum took him back and the ball went over the line. I'm gutted for him and the team because they played well.
"The game should have been put to bed by half-time. We had enough opportunities and chances to do that. And once you don't do that, it gives them a chance to stay in the game. They get an opportunity right at the death and it comes right for them and not for us.
"We played well for the most part so I'm gutted for the players. The lads worked hard and played well. We just should have put it to bed earlier and not give them the chance. But overall we did OK today."
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin: "I have seen it back and Danny has carried it over the line - there is no doubt about it. I thought someone had pushed him but no one is near him. He is just unfortunate he lost his balance and carried it over the line.
"It didn't look like the goal was going to come and I thought it wasn't our day. It is a good point in the end as we were nowhere near our best. Kilmarnock were excellent in the first half and deserved to get the lead.
"In the second half we were better and moved it quicker. I have to credit the players as it has been a busy three weeks with seven games in it."
Kilmarnock host Hamilton and St Mirren entertain Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday at 3pm.
