Supersub Hendry rescues a late point for Wright’s men
CALLUM HENDRY’S cameo rescued a point for St Johnstone as he once again sprung from the bench to answer Tommy Wright’s call.
With a point separating these sides before kick-off, the eventual scoreline was no surprise. And neither was Hendry’s intervention with just six minutes left, the 22-year-old scoring for the fifth time this season.
It was the least Saints deserved from a game they dominated without finding the guile in attack to make the most of their possession.
County striker Brian Graham’s stoppage-time red card — after a second caution for flailing arms in aerial challenges — came too late to be of any real advantage to the hosts. They stretched their unbeaten run to five matches but will rue a missed opportunity to leapfrog their visitors. Matty Kennedy somehow managed to miss from a couple of feet out before seeing a rasping drive touched on to the crossbar by away keeper Nathan Baxter. Those near misses took on greater significance when Iain Vigurs drilled in the opener for County against the run of play in the 72nd minute.
The fact that Vigurs, who was playing his first game in threeand-a-half months after injury, had repeatedly tested the patience of referee Bobby Madden —most notably with a second-half foul on Jason Holt after already being booked — did not cheer the mood of Saints boss Wright. But his team finished the year on a positive note when Hendry headed in the leveller. After late winners against Hamilton and Hearts and an equaliser against Livingston, he is becoming quite the supersub.
‘He gets one chance and takes it,’ said Wright. ‘He needs to get to the next stage where when he gets starts and becomes a 90-minute player. ‘That’s three times we’ve played County and somehow we haven’t managed to beat them. We could have done better for their goal and the final ball let us down a bit but the boys showed character and totally dominated.
‘A point was the least we deserved. I’m pleased with the reaction and pleased to keep the unbeaten run going.’
Saints’ first chance fell to Kennedy who skied his header over the bar. The winger then seized on possession gifted to him by Harry Paton but keeper Baxter got a crucial touch as his shot fizzed against the crossbar.
Blair Spittal’s looping cross should have been dealt with better by Saints, who allowed Josh Mullin to return the ball into the heart of the box. Billy Mckay held it up for long enough to allow Vigurs to rattle the eventual lay-off in off the post.
However, with six minutes left, Kennedy made amends for his previous missed opportunities to set up the equaliser. His cross from the left was dangerous and Hendry’s glancing header clinical. There could even have been a winner for Saints moments later when Madden penalised Baxter for holding on to the ball for too long, Hendry striking the wall from the indirect free-kick.
County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell admitted: ‘St Johnstone were the better side throughout. In general terms, we never felt as if we got started. I think we’ll take the point.’
SAINTS boss Wright is hopeful of securing Matty Kennedy on a new deal despite revealing St Mirren are showing interest in the winger. Aberdeen have also been linked with a move.
ST JOHNSTONE (4-2-3-1): Clark 6; Ralston 5, Gordon 6, Kerr 6, Booth 6; Davidson 7, Holt 6 (May 74); Wright 6 (O’Halloran 83), McCann 6, Kennedy 7; Kane 5 (Hendry 65). Subs not used: Parish, Duffy, Tanser, Craig. Booked: Holt, Davidson. ROSS COUNTY (4-4-2): Baxter 6; Foster 6, Morris 5 (Watson 70), Fontaine 6, Kelly 6; Mullin 5, Paton 5, Vigurs 6, Spittal 5; Mckay 5 (Chalmers 82), Stewart 4 (Graham 29). Subs not used: Laidlaw, Fraser, Erwin,Henderson. Booked: Kelly, Spittal, Vigurs, Fontaine, Paton, Graham. Sent off: Graham. Man of the Match: Callum Hendry. Referee: Bobby Madden. Att: 2,658.