ICT 2 St.Mirren 2
Saints shrugged off the pre-match blow of losing both Kenny McLean and Paul Dummett to injury, and the dual suspensions of Marc McAusland and Jim Goodwin, to record a creditable draw in the highlands yesterday against in-form Caley Thistle.
Danny Lennon really had to shuffle his pack with David Barron filling in at centre half alongside Lee Mair, whilst Graham Carey was recalled to play left back with Vanzy back in the side on the right.
The midfield was boosted by the return of Paul McGowan who played for over an hour after missing the last few months, and he slotted in alongside Robertson, Teale, McGinn and the recalled Dougie Imrie with Steven Thompson the man leading the line.
And it was Imrie who gave the buddies the perfect start as he arrowed in a thundering drive from 20 yards inside the opening 2 minutes, incredibly Saints first goal inside the opening HALF HOUR in the SPL this season.
Danny Lennon really had to shuffle his pack with David Barron filling in at centre half alongside Lee Mair, whilst Graham Carey was recalled to play left back with Vanzy back in the side on the right.
The midfield was boosted by the return of Paul McGowan who played for over an hour after missing the last few months, and he slotted in alongside Robertson, Teale, McGinn and the recalled Dougie Imrie with Steven Thompson the man leading the line.
And it was Imrie who gave the buddies the perfect start as he arrowed in a thundering drive from 20 yards inside the opening 2 minutes, incredibly Saints first goal inside the opening HALF HOUR in the SPL this season.
Garaham Carey struck the Caley crossbar too as Saints had the hosts rattled but Caley showed why they have only lost 1 of their last 14 games with a spectacular leveller just before half time as Andrew Shinnie fired an unstoppable drive past Samson to level matters before the break.
The second period saw more end to end football as both sides really went for it. The buddies took the lead again ten minutes in as that man Steven Thompson delivered yet again, nodding home a teasing Gary Teale delivery to put Saints in dreamland.
Sadly the patched up Saints couldn't hold on for long and after Samson, who was otherwise superb yet again, spilled a Doran piledriver Richie Foran was on hand to head home from close range to restore parity.
Both sides could have won it, but Saints had the better of the late chances with sub Lewis Guy rattling the post and the crossbar within a minute before he then had what looked like a good goal chalked off as he touched in a Teale drive.
In the end a deserved point for the buds, and a welcome return to the side for Gowser. Onwards to Sunday and a trip to Tannadice to face Dundee Utd.
Comments
Also a great feeling to "stuff one up the media" who were all confident that Inverness were expected to win easily !
I hope the "boys" do not have "too liquid" a New Year and that we add another 3 points at Dundee on Saturday and a further 3 against Killie at the turn of the year.
It is a long way for me to come so do not let me down and keep these goals (and 3 points) coming.
And a Guid New Year to all my fellow Budds.
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