DON’T MISS THE POINT
Goodwin: Remember we had already lost this match 3-0
ST MIRREN.0 MOTHERWELL.0 GORDON PARKS AT ST MIRREN PARK
JIM GOODWIN urged his gutted Saints to look at the bigger top-six picture after grinding out a stalemate with Motherwell.
The Buddies boss opted to talk up a result that nudged his side two points ahead of seventh-placed Dundee United with three games before the split.
It’s now four draws on the bounce for the Paisley side but Goodwin was happy to take something from a game that was originally forfeited after a Covid breakout before Saints won an appeal.
He said: “It could be a good point. I have boys in the dressing room who are all disappointed after taking a point against Motherwell.
“People will talk about all the injuries Motherwell have but we’ve our own problems. We played there with two boys who were probably only 80 per cent fit.
“It’s a positive result for us because a few months ago it was down as a 3-0 defeat. It’s another point on the board.
“We’re still in pole position. We’ve opened up a bit more of a gap with St Johnstone and Dundee United but there’s still a lot to play for.
“I look at St Johnstone’s fixtures and think they’re capable of winning all three of those games. United’s are a little bit tougher. We’ve got to focus on the job we have.”
Saints were bolstered in midfield as Jamie McGrath and Jake Doyle-Hayes returned from injury.
Graham Alexander recalled Stephen O’Donnell after a ban with Allan Campbell also back from illness. On-loan Hearts winger Jordan Roberts made his first start.
The away side seized the early initiative, dominating the ball. Roberts dragged a shot wide in the 13th minute but that competitive edge that has been absent in recent weeks for Well was replaced by a workrate and gusto.
Ilkay Durmus was first into the book for clattering Tony Watt from behind but Saints finally switched on after half an hour, Joe Shaughnessy’s header from McGrath’s free-kick slipping wide.
No shots on target for either side told its own story and a caution for Graham Alexander summed up the frustration from the Fir Park boss as he voiced his opinion of whistler Kevin Clancy from the sidelines.
Well had Liam Kelly to thank for keeping out a volley rifled in by Jon Obika moments after the restart.
Durmus then drilled a shot off target as Saints had clearly been galvanised by some strong words from Goodwin at the interval.
Had Watt’s touch not been far too heavy he’d have been clear on goal as another opportunity was passed up in the 56th minute.
Saints keeper Jak Alnwick was forced into a routine stop to deny Devante Cole six minutes later.
Motherwell were now turning the screw but the lack of a quality final ball proved a familiar failing as Alnwick again kept out Cole with a close-range block.
Saints then survived by the width of the woodwork as a cross from Roberts was nudged on by Obika and rattled off the Buddies’ back post then into the arms of a relieved Alnwick.
But ultimately neither side could make the breakthrough as it ended in stalemate and in a downpour for a clash that never threatened to rain goals.