St Mirren playmaker Paul McGowan admits he feared the Buddies would never find a way past Kilmarnock’s heroic keeper Cammy Bell.
Talented shot-stopper Bell produced a breathtaking display yesterday as Saints kicked off 2013 with a 1-1 draw against the Rugby Park men.
His saves from Steven Thompson and Paul Dummett either side of the half-time break were among the best seen at St Mirren Park for a very long time.
And it was a big relief for the Paisley faithful when ‘Gowser’ finally overcame Bell’s resistance by slotting home a 68th-minute penalty to cancel out Liam Kelly’s early spot-kick for the visitors.
McGowan told Express Sports: “A point was the least we deserved.
“We had them penned in at times but their keeper had a great game.
“Cammy is top-class and his save from big Thommo was incredible.
“I was starting to think it was going to be one of those days.
“We just had to believe we could get a goal back – and we did.”
Killie were able to take the lead after just three minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a barge on James Dayton, while St Mirren were handed their spot-kick when Killie kid Mark O’Hara was punished for a trip on Dougie Imrie.
However, McGowan claims referee Brian Colvin made a hash of both calls.
“It has come down to two penalties but I don’t think either of them was a foul,” he said. “They were both soft awards.
“Things have evened themselves out but we are disappointed not to take the three points.”
Yesterday’s draw means St Mirren completed their four-game festive run with eight points from a possible 12, after notching up wins over Motherwell and Dundee United either side of a 2-2 result away to Inverness Caley Thistle.
But McGowan, who only recently returned to action after undergoing surgery on a troublesome shoulder injury, is still not content.
He said: “We should have won all four of these games. Up at Inverness, we missed one or two chances.
“Kilmarnock are a good side but we have been on a bit of a run.
“We have picked up a lot of points over that festive period, so we can’t be too downhearted.
“We’d had just one win in 10 before this run of games and that starts getting to you.
“I was out injured and just wanted to get out there and help the lads.
“Things just weren’t going their way but they have turned it round now.”
