JAMIE MURPHY was a bright spark amongst a lacklustre display on Saturday as St Johnstone once again failed to defeat lower league opposition in the Premier Sports Cup.
The former Rangers and Hibernian winger was introduced from the bench after Ali Crawford picked up a hamstring injury on ten minutes and he went on to score two impressive finishes to haul his team back into the game.
Queen of the South twice led through Lee Connelly and Ruari Paton before Saints drew level and forced a penalty shootout.
Misses from Murray Davidson and Max Kucheriavyi meant Dumfries outfit Queens took the bonus point and Saints now need nothing short of a miracle to remain in the competition.
Murphy explained: “It was a difficult game but we expect to do better than we did. It’s not completely over for the group but we’ve made it difficult for ourselves and that’s the disappointing thing.
“My goals don’t really mean a lot, but you always want to start well with a new club and get the goals in early so I’m happy with that, but the aim was to come here and win.
“I feel like I made a career out of the second one, I have probably scored it about 100 times but it’s always good to see it go in.
“I felt great to be fair, I’m grateful for the opportunity St Johnstone have given me and I know what I can do if I get my body right, to stay fully fit.
“It’s a different challenge from when you're 21. It gets harder the older you get and play as many games as I have.
“It’s still early and I’m sure we’ll be fine. We’ve got the makings of a really good team, and have a great manager and great staff. It’s a blip for us at the start, but the only way is up."
The Saints backline was constantly under pressure from the tenacious Lee Connelly, and he could have easily won the game with a one-on-one chance in the 83rd minute.
The former Sunderland man’s shot collided with the post after he raced clear from the half-way line and he was still hurting from the miss post-match.
Despite the failure to score, it was an impressive all round display by Connelly and the 22-year-old admits that he enjoyed the test up against Scottish Premiership-level of opposition.
He said: “We knew after our last performance that it wasn't good enough and we had to give a good performance for the home fans
“We started well and had chances to kill the game but we didn’t. I missed too many chances. The one at the end, I would score that in training. I’ve maybe had too much time to think about it but that’s no excuse.
“It’s all I’m thinking about, I’m disappointed. Especially when they score two minutes later and I think it is my fault. Thankfully Max Currie saved two penalties for us.
“I don’t score too many headers, but my dad always says if it’s the right height I’ll get it. I don’t beat too many people in the air, but I was happy with my goal. I think I’m still the smallest in the team!
“I enjoyed my battle with Andy Considine, I was really looking forward to it. He’s played so many times for Aberdeen.
“I was looking forward to playing against most of the St Johnstone players to test myself, I thought I did alright.”
Saints now head to Elgin on Tuesday, while Queen of the South face the same opponents on Saturday in Group F.
