St Johnstone 1 Kilmarnock 0 as VAR steals spotlight in controversial afternoon

VAR stole the show in an otherwise dull affair between St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.

Saints' James Brown was initially sent off by whistler Craig Napier before a lengthy check on the monitor made him controversially reverse his decision.

The Ayrshire side then thought they equalised in the 77th minute, but the goal was chopped off by Napier and a VAR review concluded it was a foul.

The Saints went on to hold on to all three points which in turn ended Killie's five-game unbeaten run.

The Ayrshire side have managed to score just one goal on the road in the league this season, picking up just one point away from home.

The hosts were delighted early on when May’s effort trickled past Zach Hemming in the Killie goal after being deflected by Ash Taylor in the fourth minute, before he dished out a ‘griddy’ celebration made popular this year with its inclusion in video game FIFA 23.

Kerr McInroy went incredibly close with a long range effort that fizzed just past the post.

Graham Carey looked poised to pull the trigger from the edge of the area in the 35th minute, but Alan Power’s perfectly timed challenge stopped him getting a shot away to keep his side within one.

Innes Cameron tried his luck five minutes before half time as he fired a powerful shot at goal, but it was well held by Remi Matthews.

Stevie May fires in the goal (SNS Group)

McInroy tested again in the 50th minute as he lashed an effort towards goal after a corner, but his effort was well saved by Matthews.

VAR was the talking point on the hour mark when James Brown’s straight red card was overturned after almost four minutes of deliberation from referee Craig Napier.

Stevie May went incredibly close in the 74th minute with a powerful header from close range, but thankfully for the visitors it flew wide of the post.

Killie thought they’d levelled the scores in the 77th minute when Jordan Jones fired home after a corner, but the goal was chopped off for an alleged foul - another VAR review concluded that Napier’s decision was correct.

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