Source: Team_Talk
Kyle strikes as Killie win again
Killie's fine recent run looked like coming to an end when Peter MacDonald and Graham Gartland put Saints 1-0 and 2-1 ahead in Saturday's clash.[LNB]But equalisers from Chris Maguire and Garry Hay - the latter's first goal since December 2008 - set the stage for Kyle to bag his fourth against Derek McInnes' men this season.[LNB]Killie recalled Danny Invincibile and Jamie Hamill, while Saints handed Paul Sheerin his first SPL start for five months and drafted in Murray Davidson, Cillian Sheridan and Gartland.[LNB]Killie were looking to complete a hat-trick of victories over St Johnstone.[LNB]During a 21-game sequence in which they won only two SPL games, both successes came against this afternoon's opponents.[LNB]Saints midfielder Jody Morris had the first effort on goal today, his volley dipping just over Cameron Bell's crossbar in the third minute.[LNB]Scott Severin then needed all his experience to avoid conceding a penalty when Sheridan bore down on goal, the defender timing his tackle to perfection.[LNB]Gartland almost gifted Killie a 12th-minute lead with the most spectacular of own goals, a horrible sliced clearance that was looping in but for a magnificent save from Graeme Smith.[LNB]MacDonald sent a shot on the turn straight at Bell before Hay drove just over from distance.[LNB]Sheridan had the first intentional clear-cut chance when he got in behind the Killie defence after 26 minutes but Bell smothered the striker's poked finish from a tight angle.[LNB]Saints took the lead nine minutes before half-time when Dave Mackay fed MacDonald, whose attempted lay-off deflected back to him off an opponent for him to sweep home left footed.[LNB]MacDonald injured himself in the process and was replaced three minutes later by Kenny Deuchar.[LNB]Severin had to bail out Bell with a clearance behind when the new man skipped past the goalkeeper in the box.[LNB]But the home side levelled in the final minute of the half when a Deuchar header and Duberry slice from a Killie free-kick inadvertently set up Maguire to lash home from close range.[LNB]The same player almost caught out Smith with a mishit cross five minutes after the restart.[LNB]But Saints were back in front three minutes later when Gartland claimed the faintest of headers on a floated Danny Grainger free-kick that looked like it was going in anyway.[LNB]At the other end, Kyle glanced Hay's free-kick wide before manager Jimmy Calderwood threw on Connor Sammon for Tim Clancy.[LNB]Maguire saw his 20-yard shot blocked behind after a lightning Killie breakaway, while Morris became the first player booked for a cynical 64th-minute foul on Liam Kelly.[LNB]It proved costly as Maguire fooled everyone by passing to Hay instead of shooting and the full-back's first-time strike flew into the far corner.[LNB]Mehdi Taouil had replaced Invincibile in the meantime as Killie went on the attack.[LNB]Sammon hooked over on the turn and Deuchar saw an attempted volley blocked as both sides sought a winner.[LNB]Kelly should have put Killie ahead when he blazed over after a superb run and cutback from Hamill.[LNB]The visitors immediately withdrew Sheerin for Liam Craig but the hosts were looking more of a threat and they completed a tremendous comeback when Kyle got his customary goal against Saints 13 minutes from time.[LNB]Taouil got free down the right and stood the ball up at the back post for the striker to thump home a trademark header.[LNB]Kyle, who had earlier hurt himself in a challenge with Duberry, was replaced by Steven Old, while Saints brought on fit-again Collin Samuel for Sheridan.[LNB]Samuel, making his first appearance for more than two months, almost combined with Deuchar to equalise but Severin rescued Killie with a goalline clearance.[LNB]A frustrated Duberry was booked for dissent late on and Bryson was also carded for deliberate handball.[LNB]Smith stopped Maguire making the game safe in the closing moments before Craig curled a stoppage-time free-kick wide.[LNB]Sammon had the ball in the net deep into added time but was flagged offside.[LNB][LNB]
