St Mirren keep unbeaten run going to stay second with draw at Kilmarnock

St Mirren remain undefeated to remain second in the Premiership after recovering from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Brad Lyons scored for the second time in two games to give the hosts the lead after 19 minutes, but Saints levelled 12 minutes later when Kyle Magennis turned Scott Tanser’s driven cross into his own net.

The second half was broken up by a series of fouls and stoppages, with neither side offering much of a goal threat.

Having extended their unbeaten league run to seven games, St Mirren stayed in second place, four points behind Celtic, with Killie in eighth.

Mikael Mandron could only manage a weak header into the arms of Will Dennis as the visitors created the first opportunity in what was a scrappy opening 15 minutes.

The home supporters screamed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the hand of Marcus Fraser, though referee Chris Graham waved play on after consulting VAR.

Kilmarnock opened the scoring when Lyons seized on some sloppy defending by Charles Dunne and then beat Zach Hemming to the loose ball to head home.

St Mirren were almost the architects of their own downfall again eight minutes later when Alex Gogic was dispossessed and it required a good block by Fraser to divert Matty Kennedy’s shot behind for a corner.

St Mirren levelled just after the half-hour mark. Tanser did well to fizz the ball across the six-yard box and Magennis diverted the cross into his own net.

Conor McMenamin worked the Killie keeper as the visitors looked to build on their equaliser and Derek McInnes was dealt a blow when Magennis hobbled off after 34 minutes to be replaced by David Watson.

Danny Armstrong’s tantalising cross somehow evaded everyone inside the six-yard box and Lyons had a low effort saved as the home team began the second half brightly – but chances were at a premium as the half progressed.

The Saints players and supporters were incensed when the referee booked Ryan Strain for simulation after the player hit the deck under the challenge of Watson.

Liam Polworth passed up a glorious opportunity in stoppage time when he blazed over after being picked out by Kyle Vassell.

Watson was booked in the final minute for a cynical pull back on Mark O’Hara, the last action of a underwhelming second half.