St Johnstone 2 - 0 Kilmarnock: Two-goal Sandaza cooking with gas as Saints eye third

The in-form Spaniard took his tally for the season to 12 in 16 starts with two first-half strikes at McDiarmid Park.

With Motherwell inactive due to their match against Dunfermline being called off after wind damage at Fir Park, St Johnstone closed the gap with a clinical win.

Afterwards, Perth manager Steve Lomas said he was desperate to tie up the prolific Sandaza on a long-term deal. The striker’s current contract runs out in the summer but Lomas revealed he has opened talks to extend his stay and hopes to fend off interest from other clubs.

“Fran is one of a number of players that we would like to keep long term,” said Lomas. “The chairman is dealing with that just now.

“If he keeps going the way he is, he will attract attention from elsewhere but why would you want to move away from such a well-run club?

“He is here until the end of the season, whether he likes it or not. He lives just across the road from me and comes across for dinner. He won’t get another manager who cooks for him and his family.

“I gave them some Irish hospitality over Christmas and they brought some Spanish ham. I told him as long as he brings me some ham and cheese from Spain, he will be okay.”

Lomas named the same side that beat Dunfermline 3-0 on Christmas Eve, with Sandaza continuing his strike partnership with Marcus Haber in the absence of the injured Cillian Sheridan.

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels made just one change to the side that lost 2-1 to Celtic on Saturday, as wide player James Dayton came in for the injured Danny Buijs.

The strong wind made conditions far from ideal but Kilmarnock’s Dayton used it to his advantage with a curling corner that had St Johnstone goalkeeper Peter Enckelman flapping.

The visitors made the early running and Gary Harkins was unlucky with a drive that was deflected over the bar by Steven Anderson after ten minutes.

Paul Heffernan was next to have a go for Kilmarnock – taking Dean Shiels’ pass and stinging Enckelman’s palms with a vicious drive.

St Johnstone struggled to break Kilmarnock down but Sandaza created space for himself and tested Cammy Bell with a low shot after 17 minutes. Manuel Pascali then produced a brilliant tackle to deny Sandaza after great wing play from Chris Millar on the right.

St Johnstone were ahead on 26 minutes. Jody Morris’ corner was met by Dave Mackay, whose shot was blocked on the line by Liam Kelly but Sandaza buried the rebound. It was perhaps harsh on Kilmarnock but they almost equalised in 30 minutes when Danny Racchi’s long-range drive was tipped on to the post by Enckelman.

Kilmarnock also had a strong penalty claim turned down when Dayton’s shot appeared to be blocked by David McCracken’s arm. But St Johnstone doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Sandaza powered home Craig’s corner from close range.

St Johnstone had the first chance of the second half when Haber raced down the right and smashed a shot off the outside of the post. Millar’s 20-yard drive was then deflected wide by Pascali as the home side tried to kill the game.

Haber’s pace was too much for Kilmarnock and James Fowler was forced to clear off the line in 55 minutes after Bell had parried the Canadian’s shot.

Kilmarnock were getting little joy but Heffernan was denied by a brilliant Enckelman save in 63 minutes – the Finn tipping his volley over the bar. Enckelman also punched Kelly’s dipping volley to safety as Kilmarnock upped the pressure.

Two-goal hero Sandaza was taken off to a standing ovation before the end as St Johnstone easily saw out the game to make it two victories on the spin without conceding a goal.