Flashback Dorman’s Killie delight
Ten years ago St Mirren travelled to Rugby Park to claim their third straight league win.
Killie make the reverse trip next weekend hoping to achieve the same feat.
In 2008, it was Saints’ Andy Dorman’s first-half goal which separated the two sides.
The midfielder struck seven minutes before the interval to give Gus McPherson’s side the lead.
Steve Clarke’s current charges will be hoping to create more opportunities than Jim Jefferies’ side were able to manage a decade ago.
On that occasion, it was St Mirren could have added to their lead after Garry Brady hit the post and Billy Mehmet had a shot well saved by Alan Combe between the Killie sticks.
Despite the victory, the Paisley side remained a point behind their opponents in eighth spot. Three-in-a-row
St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition — and a history to match.
They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.
Today, we look back at a closely-fought encounter between Saints and the club’s next opponents Kilmarnock
Dennis Wyness tested Killie goalkeeper Combe in the opening minutes with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box before Allan Russell’s effort was blocked at the other end.
Both sides then struggled to create chances as the first half progressed.
Saints’ Jim Hamilton saw his headed attempt from Franco Miranda’s free-kick drift wide.
Miranda continued to venture forward and his inswinging cross from the left almost deceived Combe, who palmed the ball out for a corner.
St Mirren went in front in the 38th minute. though, when Miranda’s cross was cushioned into the path of Dorman by Wyness and the midfielder swept the ball into the net.
Killie responded with a shot by Craig Bryson, who had earlier replaced the injured Frazer Wright, but Mark Howard comfortably held the substitute’s effort.
The hosts came out in the second half determined to find a leveller, but Gavin Skelton and Simmonds were unable to trouble Howard’s goal.
Brady had the ball in the net after 49 minutes, but the offside flag had been raised earlier in the move.
Dorman then had a left-foot shot from the edge of the box held by Combe.
Jack Ross ventured forward for the visitors just after the hour mark and flashed a shot across the face of goal.
Kilmarnock were frustrated in their attempts at unlocking the St Mirren defence, which was well organised throughout the match.
Simmonds found enough space in the box to turn and shoot, but his effort went harmlessly wide.
Miranda almost put the ball into his own net from a defensive header that crept over the crossbar.
Saints came close to a second when Brady’s curling shot struck the post and, as Killie struggled to clear the rebound, substitute Mehmet saw his quick-fire shot blocked by Combe before the referee’s final whistle ended the match.