St Johnstone grab dramatic win over Motherwell to boost bid to avoid relegation

St Johnstone grabbed a William Hill Premiership survival lifeline thanks to two dramatic late goals in the 2-1 home win over Motherwell.

The visitors were on the brink of reversing last week’s Scottish Cup result when leading through Andy Halliday’s fourth-minute spot-kick.

But thanks to strikes from substitute Taylor Steven and Bozo Mikulic within the space of two minutes, the game was turned on its head.

Simo Valakari’s side cut the gap at the bottom of the table to seven points, with Kilmarnock now the closest club in their sights.

St Johnstone also gave chairman Adam Webb a win to celebrate on his return to Perth.

The Atlanta-based owner, absent since the opening-night defeat to Aberdeen, made the trip after the all-clear from cancer treatment.

Debutant Brentford loan keeper Ellery Balcombe was one of six changes by Stuart Kettlewell to the visiting team that lost 1-0 in Perth last Saturday.

Jack Sanders was a notable absentee for Saints as interest from League Two clubs, including Gillingham, remains strong.

That left Valakari with one recognised centre-half in Mikulic and the problems that created were plain to see within 20 seconds.

Makeshift defender Sven Sprangler misjudged a bounce in the box and the ball struck his arm.

When play eventually stopped, Kevin Clancy was summoned to the monitor to award the inevitable VAR-advised penalty.

Halliday coolly sent Andy Fisher the wrong way, burying his kick in the bottom corner.

Lone striker Makenzie Kirk was initially starved of service by ponderous build-up play from Saints.

Their one first-half chance, on 14 minutes, came from a wicked Barry Douglas cross teeing up Victor Griffith.

The Panamanian’s shot was palmed out by Balcombe and Kirk lost the race for the rebound.

Other than a Halliday deflected effort skimming the bar, Well didn’t threaten as much as they might have while Saints struggled in the opening 45.

Adama Sidibeh replaced Max Kucheriavyi at the interval and caught a glimpse of goal within three minutes.

Balcombe’s fine fingertip save denied Graham Carey and Sidibeh, on the stretch, failed to connect with the loose ball.

Motherwell were content to keep the game in front of them and let Saints have the ball.

Kirk struck a post with a header from Carey’s corner on 80 minutes as the home side gathered comeback momentum.

They were level after 86 minutes when a Sam Curtis ball into the heart of the area wasn’t dealt with and a foul on Nicky Clark could have resulted in a penalty.

Lively substitute Steven didn’t hang around to find out, darting onto the loose ball and firing a deadly finish low past Balcombe.

Saints rode the wave of new-found belief by snatching a winner.

Dom Thompson cleared off the line from Clark’s flick as a Carey corner caused chaos for the visiting back line and Croatian defender Mikulic smashed home on the volley from six yards.