St Johnstone made minimal progress in their bid to avoid relegation as they fought out a goalless draw against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.
Simo Valakari’s side booked a Scottish Cup semi-final place against Celtic with a 1-0 win over Livingston on Monday night and looked to take confidence into their Premiership clash with the fourth-placed Dons.
However, on a frantic, scrappy afternoon, both sides failed to take advantage of the few chances they could muster and had to settle for a point apiece which left the home side still bottom of the table, two points behind Dundee, who play Dundee United on Sunday.
Jimmy Thelin’s Dons are only two points ahead of the Tannadice men as club football makes way for the international break.
The start to the game offered promise which was not delivered.
In the 10th minute the home side carved open the first real chance when midfielder Jason Holt played in Makenzie Kirk after Pittodrie skipper Graeme Shinnie had conceded possession close to his own box.
However, the striker’s drive from 14 yards was brilliantly saved by Dons goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov for a corner that he confidently plucked out of the air.
It was the last real save of note from either ‘keeper.
The Granite City men stepped up the pace in search of a leveller but Saints ‘keeper Andy Fisher was well protected by his defence which remained resolute all afternoon.
The game became increasingly scrappy as the first half continued before referee Chris Graham brought it to a halt for half-time which gave both managers time to reset – and Aberdeen looked to have done exactly that.
Within four minutes of the restart, striker Oday Dabbagh came close with a header from an Alexander Jensen cross.
Dons attacker Shayden Morris then collected a Topi Keskinen pass inside the box but took too long and was blocked by Saints’ Barry Douglas but again the corner came to nothing.
But then it reverted to type.
At the other end, St Johnstone substitute Victor Griffith headed past the far post from 10 yards after Stephen Duke-McKenna had curled in an inviting delivery.
Pittodrie defender Mats Knoester then took a turn of heading past the post from close range as the game continued to cry out for real quality, which never arrived.
