St Mirren 1-0 Kilmarnock

May 4 2008 Rob Fairburn At Love Street

BATTLING Buddie Will Haining was the unlikely goal hero as St Mirren stunned Killie in the final seconds.

It was the defender's first goal for the club and it could not have come at a better time with his strike in the dying moments of the match leaving Kilmarnock with no way back.

Jim Hamilton used all his experience to win a free-kick in a challenge with Killie defender Ryan O'Leary.

But it was the delivery of Andy Dorman that proved to be the telling factor and Haining's bullet header found the top corner past a stranded Alan Combe who otherwise had an excellent match.

Haining beamed: "My last goal was playing for Oldham in October 2006 so naturally I am delighted.

"Andy played the ball into a great area and fortunately I attacked it and found the net.

"We were a bit flat out there but it was not easy on a hard surface.

"But we are just pleased to get the win and hopefully we can do well in our remaining matches and finish as high up the table as possible.

"I have enjoyed this season at St Mirren and settled in well which is down to the coaching staff and the players."

The Love Street clash produced an instantly forgettable first half with chances at a premium.

Dorman was first to threaten in the 11th minute when he latched on to a Gary Mason pass but his effort lacked power and was easily saved by Combe.

Jim Jefferies side had a great chance to equalise when David Barron lost his footing to present a shooting opportunity to Jamie Hamill.

But as the Killie midfielder went to pull the trigger John Potter rescued the Buddies with a last-ditch tackle.

Billy Mehmet unleashed a ferocious shot from the edge of the box shortly after the half-hour mark which the alert Combe did well to hold.

And the keeper was again Killie's saviour as he foiled the best move of the match.

Stephen McGinn's cross from the right was delightfully touched by Dorman into the path of Hamilton but Combe's diving save put the ball round the post.

On the stroke of half time Grant Murray had a point-blank header saved by Mark Howard.

The home side had the edge of a poor second period with Craig Dargo's hooked shot well saved by Combe.

Danny Invincibile responded with a stunning shot that was tipped over by Howard.

Buddies defender Potter almost burst the net three minutes from time when he connected with a fierce volley at the edge of the box.

However, Combe produced the goods again with a marvellous diving save to deny him.

But Potter's defensive partner Haining popped up in the final minute to give St Mirren the three points and almost certainly condemn Killie to second-bottom spot in the table.

Buddies boss Gus MacPherson said: "We have played better this season and come away with nothing so we have to be pleased with the end result.

"It is important to be professional and keep going. At this stage of the season the focus is on picking up points.

"It was a fantastic free-kick by Andy in the build up to the goal and Will has attacked it and scored.

"Andy actually looked a bit jaded and we might think about giving him a rest in the next couple of games."

MATCH STATS

7 SHOTS ON 3

2 SHOTS OFF 3

1 OFFSIDE 3

10 FOULS 16

10 CORNERS 5

0 BOOKINGS 1

REF WATCH

CRAWFORD ALLAN angered Killie with the free-kick award that led to the winner. He also booked Rugby Park ace Jamie Hamill for what looked like a clean tackle. Rating: 6/10.