St Johnstone 2-1 Bristol City: Saints overcome Europa League hangover

By Iain Collin
Published on 29/07/2012 03:05

There is nothing like being reunited with old friends for a pick-me-up but it was unfamiliar faces who helped St Johnstone overcome the disappointment of Thursday’s Europa League exit.

Less than 48 hours after the aggregate defeat to Turks Eskisehirspor, manager Steve Lomas opted to assess fringe players and, with no sign of Kevin Kyle, that meant trialists Rowan Vine, Ryan Donaldson and Keammar Daley.

There were less than two minutes on the clock when Vine made an immediate impact as McDiarmid Park welcomed back old manager Derek McInnes. Playing a superb give-and-go with Sean Higgins, the 29-year-old scored with an excellent finish. Once a £3 million signing for Birmingham City, Lomas would love to sign former QPR striker Vine who grabbed an equally impressive second in the 37th minute as he volleyed in from 20 yards.

“Hopefully we can do something, but I have every sympathy for every chairman because sporting integrity is one thing – and it’s right that Rangers were punished – but the chairmen have also got the reality of financing things,” said Lomas.

Jon Stead nodded in a counter for Bristol just before half-time.

St Johnstone: Tuffey; Mackay, Miller, Anderson, Scobbie; Daley (Caddis 73), Moon, Adams, Donaldson; Higgins (Curran 57), Vine (May 64). Subs not used: Clark, McIntosh, Stewart, Caddis, Moffat, Tobin.

Bristol City: Gerken; Foster, Carey (Wilson 75), Nyatanga, Cunningham; Bolasie (Anderson 75), Morris (Kilkenny 60), Skuse (Reid 81), Woolford (Pearson 64); Stead (Taylor 75), Pitman (Holloway 89). Subs not used: Heaton, Edwards, Stewart, Bryan.

Referee: Mike Tumilty. Attendance: 1,564.