Match Report - By Steven Mew

A last minute goal for St Johnstone B saw City exit the SPFL Trust Trophy following a heated, pulsating encounter at McDiarmid Park yesterday evening. 

It was a game that certainly didn’t go without some controversy, with City left reeling at some of the decisions made by the match officials throughout.

Manager Patrick Cregg opted to freshen up his side with 5 changes from Saturday with Ferguson, Cruickshank, Moreland, Logan and Tosh all coming in to the starting 11.

Saints fielded a strong side featuring a number of first team players and they were first to threaten on 6 minutes when Makenzie Kirk fired side of the near post from a right sided cross.

City’s first chance arrived just before the quarter hour mark when Moreland shot wide from range and two minutes later, the first major talking point arrived when Aaron Essel went in with a high, dangerous lunge on Moreland. To everyone’s amazement inside the ground, referee Connor Ashwood only issued a yellow card.

Incensed with the decision, the game became very physical with no fewer than 8 yellow cards shown throughout the game by the referee who simply lost control of the contest.

It was the visitors who took the lead just short of the half hour mark. Marc Scott made a darting run down the left hand side before cutting the ball back for DAYLE ROBERTSON inside the box – the frontman showed great footwork before firing an angled finish into the far corner for his first City goal.

There would be further controversy shortly after with City Manager Patrick Cregg and St Johnstone Assistant Andy Kirk clashing on the touchline, resulting in a brief melee. The outcome saw both Cregg and Kirk issued with red cards as they were sent to the stand.

In a first half bereft of any real clear cut chances outwith Robertson’s goal, Saints striker Makenzie Kirk was last to threaten before the break as he headed over.

Just a minute into the second period, Lewis Martin headed straight at the keeper for City before the home side restored parity on 49 minutes. An inswinging cross into the box found AARON ESSEL who headed in despite the best efforts of Lenny Wilson to keep it out.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for City with the goal coming from a player who was incredibly fortunate to still be on the pitch following his early challenge.

Both sides attacked with intent with Kirk striking the post for Saints on 53 minutes and almost immediately at the other end, home keeper Craig Hepburn made a fine save with his feet at the near post to deny Scott.

Scott Logan, who put in a power of work throughout was next to threaten for City when he collected a quick throw in before shooting just wide of the target.

Scott Bright twice tried his luck from range for the hosts – his first effort being deflected wide and from the resulting corner, his strike was blocked by Euan Spark.

On 70 minutes Dayle Robertson played a neat ball in behind the defence for Scott Logan to run on to however the keeper did well to rush off his line to gather.

Ten minutes from time Marc Scott fired a 20 yard free kick straight at the keeper and two minutes later City had the ball in the net. Ewan Loudon, who was making his 100th appearance for the club after coming on as a substitute, finished a flowing counter attacking move however the Assistant Referee had their flag up for offside.

Just as the game looked to be heading towards penalties, St Johnstone scored just as the game entered 90 minutes. A left sided cross from Scott Bright found CONNOR SMITH who clipped a delightful finish into the far corner.

The action certainly wasn’t finished there – City very nearly conjured up a dramatic equaliser when Ruari Henry, who was making his debut for the Club, played a clever flick into the path of fellow substitute McDonald but he was denied by Hepburn.

With City piling men forward in search of a goal, the home side very nearly made it 3 on the counter attack with Kirk again hitting the post after dinking the ball over the advancing Wilson.

In the dying seconds, City were reduced to 10 men with Lewis Martin seeing red for an off the ball incident.