Brechin 1-1 St Johnstone: Match Report

26 July 2016 21:34

Chris Kane goes from hero to villain as St Johnstone lose on penalties

Chris Kane hit an 86th-minute equaliser as St Johnstone drew 1-1 with Brechin in the Betfred Cup - but then missed a penalty as the Perth side missed out on a bonus point.

Brechin striker Andy Jackson headed an opener against his former club, but Saints remained top of Group B after Kane forced the ball over the line from close range following a header by substitute Graham Cummins.

Saints made six changes as they searched for a third win, but they failed to make their dominance in possession count at Glebe Park.

St Johnstone's best first-half chance fell for Joe Shaughnessy, but Graeme Smith pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to prevent the right-back heading home Liam Craig's corner.

Saints looked like they were turning the screw, but they were hit with a sucker punch in the 35th minute. Jackson's switch of play midway inside his own half helped launched a counter-attack and he kept running before finishing the move as he headed home right-back Chris O'Neil's cross.

Michael Coulson and Craig both threatened as the visitors made a positive start to the second half, although Brechin threatened from a corner when Gareth Rodger shot straight at Zander Clark.

Saints' intensity increased and so did the chances. Substitute Danny Swanson was played clean through but Smith and a defender did enough to stop his shot going in.

The former Motherwell goalkeeper then made smart saves as Murray Davidson and Blair Alston hit 20-yard drives and Kane had a shot cleared off the line, but Brechin began creating chances themselves before finally succumbing to some renewed pressure when Kane netted.

Cummins almost won the game for Saints with a looping effort, but Kane and Coulson missed from the spot as Brechin won the shootout 4-2.


Source: PA