A FREAK own goal by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Danny Rogers in the final minute deprived Kilmarnock of successive league wins for the first time in four months.
The former Aberdeen and St Mirren man collected a cross from Kyle McAllister which had taken a deflection off Stuart Findlay and then, perhaps not realising where he was in relation to his goal, held the ball to his chest while stepping backwards, carrying it over his own goal-line.
“I’ve seen it back and Danny has carried it over the line and there is no doubt about it,” claimed Saints manager Jim Goodwin. “I thought someone had pushed him but no-one is near him – he’s just unfortunate he lost his balance and carried it over the line.
“It didn’t look like the goal was going to come and I thought it wasn’t our day. It is a good point in the end as we were nowhere near our best.”
The hosts were on the front foot from the first whistle and Brandon Mason foolishly conceded a free-kick 25 yards out and, although Chris Burke’s first attempt was blocked , the ball came back to him and, from his cross, Whitehall powered home a header via the underside of the bar from close range.
While Saints could not be faulted for effort, a draw looked like eluding them until Rogers’ blunder.
Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer sympathised with the villain of the piece.
“He’s maybe caught between whether to punch it or catch it,” he said. “He’s gone to catch it and then his momentum took him back and the ball went over the line. I’m gutted for him and the team because they played well during the game.
“The game should have been put to bed by half time. We had enough chances to do that.”
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