Saints struggle to make their point
MIRREN MATCHES AS THEY WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME
Paul Behan
A point apiece from this drab SPL fixture was just about right as Saints completed their final league game at home for season 2012/13.
Perhaps the major talking point was the substitution of substitute Lewis Guy, who was only on a matter of 17 minutes in the second half before making way for Jack Smith’s top team debut.
It appeared Guy had been involved in a war of words with Saints coach Tommy Craig immediately before his substitution.
Match Facts
Score - St Mirren 0 Aberdeen 0
Scorers - None
Bookings - No-one
Red Carded - No-one
Referee - John McKendrick
Attendance - 4,292
Teams: St Mirren (4-4-2) Samson, McAusland, Dummett, Imrie, J Robertson (McGinn 72), Teale, van Zanten, Goncalves (Guy 62 (J Smith 79), Newton, Goodwin, Parkin. Subs not used - Hughes, Thompson, Puri, Mair.
Aberdeen (4-4-2): Langfield, Osbourne, Jack, Shaugnessy, Rae (Low 70), C Robertson, Hayes, Reynolds, Vernon (Magennis 80), N McGinn, C Smith (Milsom 63). Subs not used - Twardzik, Hughes, Storrie, McManus. to deflect a goalbound header from Vernon away from goal after the Dons man connected with McGinn’s cross to the back post.
Newton drove a shot wide from distance as Saints sought the breakthough, before Parkin headed a Teale cross wide of the goals.
Jack went agonisingly wide for the visitors with a good effort that struck the right- hand post as he picked up a cushioned header from Vernon 12 yards out.
And Jonny Hayes fired home after 69 minutes following a neat move involving Vernon and McGinn but, thankfully for Saints, the nearside assistant had his flag up and the goal didn’t count.
Striker Smith made his top team debut after 79 minutes for Guy, who had only replaced Esmael Goncalves after the hour mark, before Aberdeen’s McGinn found the side net with an effort from an acute angle.