Football: Saints beat freeze but not Walker

SAD Saints beat the big freeze but their chances of a quick return to the SPL surely lie in tatters after their shot-shy strikers again fired blanks.

Saints enjoyed the brighter start on a pitch which was hard, but playable. However, their good build-up play was frequently undermined by a desperate lack of composure in front of goal.

That was evident after just two minutes when Ricky Gillies, fed by Jose Quitongo, sent his angled shot bobbling wide of the far post.

Moments later Bobby Mann produced a crucial block on Ian Ross, who had fastened onto Brian McGinty's knockdown.

Caley's Nicky Walker came to the rescue on 16 minutes when he went full length to parry Paul McKnight's improvised overhead cross with Ross waiting for any slips.

Having weathered the early pressure, the Highlanders warmed to their task and created a series of chances.

Denis Wyness, who had shown his menace earlier with a snap-shot which had Ludo Roy at full stretch, was only denied by the keeper's brave dive at his feet.

However, the big French keeper looked suspect under crosses and was bailed out by his defence several times.

Roy's worst howler looked to have cost his side the lead in the 29th minute when he flapped at Charlie Christie's corner. Ross Tokely turned the loose ball towards the net but Bowman saved the day with a goal-line clearance.

Saints rallied but Quitongo and McKnight both wasted good chances by shooting too close to Walker.

The veteran Caley keeper then produced a crucial block when Ross broke through. The wing-back shot powerfully from 12 yards but Walker saved magnificently.

Inverness went just as close when Barry Robson broke free on the right before switching the play where Martin Bavidge wrong-footed two defenders before firing inches over.

McGinty, released by Alex Burns, looked set to the Buddies ahead, but having held off Grant Munro, he stumbled at the crucial moment.

At the other end there was a real scare for Saints when Robson curled a 25-yard free-kick towards the top corner, but Roy saved superbly.

Bowman, robbed by Paul Ritchie, then breathed a sigh of relief in 76 minutes when Wyness fired the resultant chance wide.

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