Kilmarnock's bid to record back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time this season was frustrated by 10-man St Mirren today.
The Buddies played practically the whole 90 minutes a man short after highly-rated midfielder Ethan Erhahon was sent-off for an elbow on Rory McKenzie.
But Killie were unable to take full advantage as Saints coped with their numerical inferiority to clinch a share of the spoils and retain their place in the top six.
For Derek McInnes' troops, opportunity knocked but they failed to cash in and subsequently stay four points clear of rock-bottom Ross County and one point ahead of Dundee United in the play-off spot.
There was a big new year crowd, swelled by a large travelling support, inside sun-kissed Rugby Park and they were served up drama as early as the seventh minute.
The aforementioned Erhahon received a straight red card from referee Grant Irvine for using his elbow on McKenzie just inside his own half with VAR not offering him a stay of execution.
This prompted an early shuffling of the pack for Buddies boss Stephen Robinson who brought off ex-Killie favourite Eamonn Brophy in the 15th minute with Alex Gogic introduced to bolster the middle of the pitch.
It was a first half of few chances but Blair Alston stung the palms of Saints keeper Trevor Carson as Kilmarnock probed in their bid for a breakthrough.
Three minutes later, it was the visitors' turn to advance in the final third with Keanu Baccus' long-range effort dropping just wide.
Frustration filled the late-afternoon East Ayrshire air and Killie chief McInnes was a man on a mission – sprinting down the tunnel the moment ref Irvine blew up for half-time.
But it was St Mirren who got their dander up and, in the 55th minute, Greg Kiltie combined with Ryan Strain whose deflected near-post effort was kept out by Killie custodian Sam Walker.
McInnes sent on Jordan Jones for Alston but the Killie fans were unsettled and every misplaced pass and squandered attacking move was greeted with howls of angst.
In the 75th minute, the manager rolled the dice again with centre-back Joe Wright making way for midfielder Fraser Murray. The clock was ticking.
Seven minutes later, only outstanding goalkeeping prevented the deadlock being broken. Ben Chrisene delivered a fantastic cross from the left flank for Christian Doidge but his header was tipped over the bar by Carson.
In the first minute of injury time, Saints defender Marcus Fraser fed substitute Alex Greive in the box, with the striker unloading on the turn, but his shot flew over as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
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