Bottom of the First Division, they failed to muster a single shot on target as the Saints cruised to a comfortable win. Each goal was naturally celebrated but the loudest cheer was reserved for the final score from Love Street. St Mirren’s 1-0 defeat to Ross County meant St Johnstone had cut a once commanding lead at the summit of the First Division to just seven points prior to a top-of-the-table showdown at McDiarmid Park in a fortnight’s time.
Coyle admitted his decision to drop Kevin Cuthbert in favour of Glennon was a difficult one, but felt it was justified by the clean sheet. “Matt did not have a lot to do but he was a terrific presence,” said Coyle. “Kevin has been fantastic for us and it was a tough decision. But now I’ve got two top keepers and there is fierce competition.”
While St Johnstone chase promotion, Brechin were striving for just their second league win of the campaign, but their defence was breached in the 23rd minute. Scott Walker halted a Saints attack when he cut out Ryan Stevenson’s cross with his arm, and from the set-piece Darren Sheridan’s drilled shot bobbled around the area before breaking for Kevin Rutkiewicz via Jason Scotland, and the central defender claimed his fourth goal of the season.
Seven minutes before the interval, the lead was doubled through Kevin James. Craig Nelson did well to turn a Stevenson drive round his post but the goalkeeper was let down by his defence from the corner as the 6ft 7in defender was allowed to glance in a header from just a yard out.
Nelson was picking the ball out of his net for a third time when Paul Sheerin raced onto Scotland’s flick and calmly slotted home. “I had nine players missing and no team in the world can live with that,” said Brechin manager Ian Campbell. “In 20 years in the game I’ve not known anything like this.”
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STAR MAN: Paul Sheerin (St Johnstone)
Player ratings. St Johnstone: Glennon 6, Stevenson 7, Stanic 6, Mensing 6, Rutkiewicz 7, James 7, Winter 7 (Henry 86min, 5), Sheridan 8, Coyle 6, Scotland (Dobbie 82min, 5) 6, Sheerin 8
Brechin: Nelson 6, Burns 6, Deas 5, Wilson 4 (Strachan 74min, 5), Walker 4, Callaghan 5, King 6, Nicol 5, Hampshire 4 (Devlin 56min, 6), Geddes 5 (Bollan 72min 3), Grainger 5
Scorers: St Johnstone: Rutkiewicz 23, James 37, Sheerin 66
Booked: Burns 37
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Referee: S Conrory
Attendance: 2,069