Match Report - By Steven Mew

City took on high flying St Johnstone at Glebe Park this afternoon in what was a must-win game for the visitors, while it was almost a meaningless fixture for the home side. However, new gaffer Michael O’Neill has stated that he will use the remaining fixtures to assess the squad and decide who he would like to keep next season. St Johnstone have been hovering around near the top all season without putting league leaders St Mirren under any real pressure, but a run of eleven league games without defeat has seen them pull closer to the Buddies, who have every reason to be a tad nervous as the two Saints still have each other to play.

City’s only doubt for the match was former Saintee Gary Bollan who has a cartilage injury. Meanwhile, the three players who were rated doubtful for the match for St Johnstone, in Darren Sheridan, Ryan Stevenson and Goran Stanic, were all deemed fit enough to start.

St Johnstone pushed forward from the start and their first chance of the game arrived after five minutes when midfielder Paul Sherrin’s tame effort was comfortably saved by Craig Nelson.

Two minutes later and St Johnstone really should have gone ahead. Darren Sheridan’s free kick deflected off the top of the wall and into the air, and the ball fell down for Steven Milne just a few yards from goal but the striker blew his effort over the bar when it was easier to score.

St Johnstone planned siege on the Brechin goal and Steven Milne linked up well with Darren Sheridan who had a shot saved easily by Nelson in the Brechin goal.

Three minutes later Steven Milne blew another glorious chance to open the scoring for the visitors. A long ball from the back went straight through the heart of the Brechin defence which sent Milne straight through on goal but Nelson came off his line and spread himself well to block the low shot.

The Saints finally broke the deadlock after 17 minutes. Paul Sheerin linked up with Jason Scotland, and the Trinidad and Tobagan international shot low towards the far corner but Nelson could only parry the shot, allowing Steven Milne to capitalise by bundling the ball over the line.

It was a deserved opener for St Johnstone and barely three minutes later they found themselves 2-0 up when Ryan Stevenson pulled the ball back for Jason Scotland, who rifled the ball into the net from inside the box.

The visitors took their feet off the pedal a little and their next chance came five minutes before the interval when Goran Stanic’s long drive was well tipped over by Craig Nelson.

Brechin’s first shot on target, which turned out to be their only shot on target came two minutes before the break when Charlie King set up Grant Johnson to have a strike but his shot was easily dealt with by Matt Glennon in the Saints goal.

In the second half Steven Milne shot wide while two shots from Martin Hardie were tipped round the post by Nelson.

On the hour mark Saints came close to a 3rd goal when Kevin Rutkiewicz’s header dipped and hit the top of the crossbar, although there was no real danger of it going in.

Saints substitute Jamie Winter was next to have a go for the visitors but his shot flew well over the crossbar.

The closest City came to a goal in the second half was a free kick by Stuart Callaghan which hit the defensive wall ten minutes from the end.

This result means City are now officially relegated from Division One. This was a disappointing performance and no doubt manager Michael O’Neill will want to sort the team out for the Dundee match at Dens Park on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, St Johnstone’s title hopes are now hanging by a thread as leaders St Mirren recorded a 2-0 victory against Ross County in Dingwall.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Airdrie United 1 Queen of the South 1

Another crucial point for Queens in their bid for survival.

Hamilton Academical 2 Clyde 0

Goals in the first and last minute for Hamilton enough to see off Clyde.

Ross County 0 St Mirren 2

St Mirren step even closer to the title.

Stranraer 1 Dundee 1

A crucial point for Stranraer, but they still trail Queens by a point.