St. Johnstone 0 Clyde 0

Last updated : 09 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer
The opening period of Saints' first game without sacked manager John Connolly began well with Ryan McCann and Peter McDonald combining well on more than one occasion to threaten the visitors' goalmouth.

A flurry of early action had the Bully Wee rocking as Saints pegged them back into defence.

A well-struck Stephen Dobbie shot in the third minute was pushed away by visiting keeper Bryn Halliwell for a corner.

Dobbie had another two shots in the first period that came close but veered just out of the target area.

After 23 minutes Clyde - ominously quiet until that point - showed that they still carry a threat even if the title is beyond them. Alex Burns combined with Graham Jones, who released danger man Ian Harty inside the Saint's penalty area. The striker has been in good form this season, but luckily for Saints this time he screwed his low shot wide.

The second half started as well for Saints as the first had, but Kieran McAnespie's 48th minute strike was well blocked high at the post by Halliwell.

Dobbie, in his first start for Saints, shone in a side otherwise devoid of predatory instinct. His 57th minute shot was drilled crisply enough, but again he failed to hit the bullseye.

The game's last chance fell to substitute Chris Hay when McDonald delivered the ball to the near-post, but Halliwell stood his ground to keep the scoreline blank.