Saints end 123-year wait for trophy

Published on Monday 26 November 2007 00:19

Dunfermline Athletic 2

Wilson (37), Glass pen (70)

St Johnstone 3

Sheerin pen (13), MacDonald (19), Deuchar (30)

AS JOB interviews go, Sandy Stewart leading St Johnstone to a first cup triumph in their 123-year history is surely up there with the most spectacular.

The former Airdrie manager took temporary charge on Wednesday following Owen Coyle's departure to Burnley and guided Saints to a 3-2 victory over Dunfermline Athletic to lift the Challenge Cup.

St Johnstone knocked Dunfermline about with three savage blows in the first 35 minutes. Paul Sheerin scored from the penalty spot and was quickly followed onto the scoresheet by Peter MacDonald and Kenny Deuchar.

But they then contrived to concede to Scott Wilson and lose a disputed penalty kick which Stephen Glass fired home to set up a grandstand finish.

However, with the cup now safely in their possession thoughts can turn to the identity of Coyle's successor, and Derek McInnes, the St Johnstone captain, made it clear that Stewart is the overwhelming choice of the players.

"It would be a wise decision to offer Sandy the job," said the former Rangers and Dundee United player. "There's not a lot wrong here, we don't need wholesale changes. Of course we need to improve, but if you ask the players in the dressing-room all the lads would say we want Sandy to stay."

For his part Stewart, who has the chance to join Coyle in Lancashire, remained coy about his prospects, but insisted the vacancy does interest him.

"Owen wants me to go to Burnley with him and that's a fantastic opportunity," Stewart revealed. "As things stand that's the only offer I have. I told the chairman I'd take the team until Sunday and we'd speak about it after so we'll see what happens.

"There's no doubt I'd be interested in it, this is a great club. From the chairman down through the directors and the staff everyone is very professional and they run the place so well.

"It was a fantastic game although I felt like I was having a heart attack towards the end."

After soaking up some early pressure St Johnstone scored the opening goal in the 11th minute. Stephen Simmons foolishly barged into Steven Anderson inside the penalty area, leaving referee Eddie Smith with the easiest of decisions to signal for a foul. Paul Sheerin, the veteran midfielder, has scored from the spot consistently this season and made it seven for the campaign by slamming a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner of Paul Gallacher's goal.

Deuchar thought he had scored only two minutes later with a header but his effort squirmed inches past the post. The second goal did come, though, on 18 minutes. MacDonald capped his return to the team with a sensational left-foot volley high into the net after Deuchar flicked on a throw-in from the left.

Saints refused to show Dunfermline any mercy and scored their third on the half-hour through Deuchar following a wonderful exchange between Andy Jackson and McInnes. The young striker clipped a pass through for his captain, who fed Deuchar with his first touch, allowing him to spin off Sol Bamba and blast a low shot into the bottom corner.

Kenny replaced Calum Woods with Derek Young on 35 minutes and within 60 seconds they grabbed a goal back through a Wilson header.

St Johnstone hit the post within seconds of the restart when Quinn spun off his marker and blasted a low shot beyond Gallacher, only for the ball to bounce back off the woodwork.

Dunfermline introduced Jim Hamilton for Michael McGlinchey on 63 minutes and he soon had an impact on the game, winning a penalty after being barged in the back by Anderson. The referee originally gave a foul right on the edge of the box but changed his mind amid protests from the Dunfermline players and awarded a penalty. Glass lashed the kick into the top corner.

As Dunfermline sought the equaliser, Goran Stanic almost turned the ball into his own net but it smacked off the bar. Dunfermline continued to press forward and had a great chance with only a few minutes to go, but Mark Burchill headed into Alan Main's arms.

"We created loads of chances, but after the way we defended for a spell in the first half we gave ourselves a lot to do," said the Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny, pictured left.

"I thought the players were tremendous to get back into the game the way they did. We hit the bar twice and made Alan Main make some good saves so my players deserve credit."

Dunfermline Athletic: Gallacher, Woods (Young 35), Wilson, Bamba, Murphy, Ryan, Simmonds (Harris 87), Glass, Crawford, Burchill, McGlinchey (Hamilton 63). Subs not used: McBride, Murdoch.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, McManus, Anderson (Rutkiewicz 81), Stanic, Quinn, McInnes, MacDonald (Hardie 76), Deuchar, Jackson (Milne 81), Sheerin. Subs not used: McLaren, Cuthbert.

Referee: E Smith.

Attendance: 6,446.