Ali McCann sealed a stunning St Johnstone fightback with a scintillating winner.
The midfield kid produced a spectacular long-range strike to cap a brilliant victory for the Betfred Cup finalists.
Callum Davidson’s troops were in huge trouble at the interval as, despite having the better of the first half, they trailed to goals from Kilmarnock duo Chris Burke and Aaron Tshibola.
However, Saints were magnificent after the interval with Guy Melamed and Murray Davidson dragging them level before McCann’s 25-yard cracker for a third in 20 minutes completed the comeback.
It was a brilliant win for Davidson’s side who climbed to the fringes of the top six.
But for Killie boss Alex Dyer, it was another big setback with a two-goal lead squandered for a third straight defeat.
It was a terrific game which see-sawed with all five goals hitting the same net.
Saints started brightly, but it was the hosts who surged into an early lead with their first attack when Burke dropped a shoulder in the box and escaped to drill home a right-foot strike.
Davidson’s men looked for a quick response with David Wotherspoon curling just over and Melamed having a close-range effort pushed away by Danny Rogers.
However, Killie doubled their advantage just after the half hour.
Nicke Kabamba’s first effort was blocked, but Tshibola was on hand to knock home from close range to have Dyer’s men in control, in terms of scoreline. at the half-time interval.
The visitors did not deserve to be two down at that stage, but began the recovery eight minutes after the restart.
Scott Tanser’s cross on the box was helped on its way by Chris Kane into the path of Melamed who opened his body to side-foot into the corner.
Saints were back in the contest and Stevie May was pitched into the fray as they set about finding an equaliser.
It came midway through the second period when Wotherspoon’s deep free-kick was headed back into the danger area by Jason Kerr and Davidson got to the knockdown first to bundle over the line.
The victory was now up for grabs and Saints took it. May released Melamed who fed McCann at the edge of the box and the midfielder unleashed a stunning strike low beyond Rogers.
3 talking points
Ali certainly McCann
The 21-year-old has a host of excellent attributes and he will be looking to add goals to the mix. He had just one to his name this term prior to this encounter, but he got into positions. McCann rattled his first effort way too high. However, when he got his next sighter, the strike was sensational for Saints’ third goal and proved he has the quality in the final third.
Burke and glare
The veteran attacker just keeps going and keeps impressing. At the age of 37, the attacker gets through as much work as anyone and remains a constant threat for assists and goals. Burke’s strike for his seventh of the season was typical of the talent he’s been displaying for two decades. There’s no doubt he’ll be worthy of another new contract come the summer.
Saints easily breached
Callum Davidson ’s side went into the Rugby Park clash with three straight clean sheets under their belts, but the solidity was lacking in Ayrshire as the hosts punched through the backline with relative simplicity for their goals. The Perth team have been praised for their tenacity and defensive work recently, but it was lacking and Killie took advantage. The good news was the offensive unit cleaned up the mess.
