Killian Phillips Penalty Secures St Mirren's Win Over St Johnstone
Killian Phillips kept his nerve, and St Mirren kept their place at the top.
On a tense Paisley night, the midfielder’s second-half penalty was enough to edge out St Johnstone and secure a second straight William Hill Premiership win for Craig McLeish’s side. It was scrappy, it was tight, and it was exactly the sort of game league leaders are supposed to win.
Phillips delivers again
Seven days after his opening-day double at Falkirk, Phillips produced the decisive moment here. With 73 minutes gone and the match grinding towards a stalemate, Declan John slid a forward pass into the St Johnstone box. Toby Steward moved to collect, unaware of Samuel Ramos ghosting into his path. The Perth goalkeeper collided with the midfielder, the referee pointed to the spot, and the balance of the night shifted.
Phillips barely took a run-up. One step, a cool glance, and he sent Steward the wrong way. One-nil, and a second Saturday night on top of the Premiership table for the Buddies.
It was harsh on Steward, who had spent most of the evening looking assured. His opposite number, though, had already written his own headline.
Chapman’s big moment
St Johnstone had their chance to turn the night their way just after the interval. A VAR check picked up a handball by Alex Gogic as he challenged for a long throw into the St Mirren box, and referee Ross Hardie pointed to the spot.
Jamie Gullan grabbed the ball. He struck low to Jacob Chapman’s left. Chapman read it, sprang, and turned the penalty away. The home support roared, and St Mirren suddenly had something to cling to.
That stop grew in importance with every passing minute. For Simo Valakari’s side, it was the moment they let the game slip.
First-half stalemate
Up to that point, the contest had been cagey. Both sides had opened their campaigns with wins and played like teams unwilling to throw that early momentum away.
Chances were scarce. The clearest fell to Ramos, who met a Chris Mochrie cross with a firm header, only to send it straight at Steward. The keeper could not hold it cleanly, pushing the ball up into the air, and a frantic scramble followed before St Johnstone hacked clear.
St Mirren then suffered an early blow when Marcus Fraser limped off, with Liam Donnelly drafted in at centre-back. The reshuffle briefly unsettled the hosts, but St Johnstone failed to punish them.
Gullan, eager to make an impact, later teed up Matty Foulds on the overlap. The left-back drove his shot across goal and just wide, a reminder that Valakari’s men carried a threat even when second best in territory.
Substitutions and turning points
McLeish went to his bench and almost found instant reward. Luke Thomas, bright and direct, released Jake Young down the left. The striker powered into the box, appeared to be held by Cheick Diabate as he let fly, and dragged his effort just wide of the far post. St Mirren wanted a penalty; they got only a corner, but the pressure was building.
The breakthrough finally came from that same flank, John again involved before Steward’s misjudgement handed Phillips his moment from 12 yards.
St Johnstone’s response was sharp. From a corner, Diabate rose highest and crashed a header off the post, Chapman rooted to the spot. It was as close as the visitors came to levelling before the game broke into a frantic finish.
Late drama and a narrow escape
With the lead secured, St Mirren went hunting for a second. Shots were blocked in quick succession as the home side tried to kill the contest, only to leave themselves exposed.
They were almost punished on the break. Ruari Paton surged forward and slipped in Gullan, perfectly placed to atone for his earlier penalty miss. This time, his effort lacked conviction and was smothered by a combination of Steward racing back and Ryan Carr covering. Another chance gone, another reminder of why St Johnstone left empty-handed.
Valakari’s team threw everything at it in stoppage time, loading the box and forcing St Mirren deeper and deeper. But when the hosts did break, Young again carried the fight, drawing a save at the other end and buying precious seconds.
St Mirren finished the match camped in St Johnstone territory, playing out the final moments with the composure of a side that suddenly believes it belongs at the summit. Two games, two wins, a penalty saved, a penalty scored. Early days, yes—but nights like this are how seasons start to take shape.
