J Smith 15
Knox 20
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J Horsburgh (Midlothian)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Saints and Rangers served up champagne soccer at Love Street. From start to finish the game frothed with excitement and the issue was in doubt until the end. Rarely did mere spoiling tactics interfere with the pace and fury of the play; the teams went all out all the time. It was a good draw, though a disallowed goal incident may give Rangers supporters incentive to argue otherwise. That incident occurred just before half-time. Brown took a free-kick from just outside St Mirrens penalty area. The ball went via Murrays head to Thornton, who headed into the net, only to be ruled offside. The referee was in excellent position to size up the situation. His judgment was prompt and decisive. Prior to this each side had scorer once. Reid came through a scrambling tussle with Murray and Kelly to lay the ball on for Smith, who gave McCloy no chance with his shot. A few minutes later a fierce St Mirren onslaught ended with Knox slamming the ball past Jenkins at point-blank range, Deakin having put over a perfect cross. Free, open passing characterised St Mirrens play on the first half, with McMenemy the master-mid behind most of the raids. The ex-Jag had a happy premiere at Love Street. His slashing transfers spelt lots of trouble for the Rangers defence, backed as they were by the drive of Knox and the darting eagerness of the wingers. McKenzie, to put the ball about to good purpose, but earned bad marks by missing a couple of likely chances early in the second half. Elsewhere the Saints were fully up to their jobs. Rangers, slightly the less forceful side in the first half against the wind, restored the balance thereafter. Smith and McPhail were the danger in attack and McCloy and Co had their work cut out to stop them. Grand goalkeeping and do-or-die tackling by Cunningham and the full backs did the needful. The remainder of the Ibrox front line was just so-so; not the stuff that comebacks are made of on this showing. Brown was at his superb best, Gray a tower of strength and Jenkins safe and confident
