Former St Mirren midfielder Kyle Magennis was the shoot-out fall man as Stephen Robinson’s aspect edged previous Kilmarnock into the Premier Sports activities Cup semi-finals.
Substitute Magennis noticed his spot-kick saved by Shamal George earlier than Malik Dijksteel despatched his effort to seal a 5-3 triumph after a 2-2 draw at Rugby Park.
The successful penalty sparked a pitch invasion from dozens of Buddies followers as they celebrated their first semi-final journey in 12 years.
St Mirren misplaced within the semi-finals of each cup competitions within the Covid-affected 2020-21 season however followers haven’t loved an enormous time out at Hampden since their group gained the League Cup in 2013.
The Paisley aspect led twice within the 90 minutes via spectacular objectives from Mikael Mandron and Jayden Richardson however Killie levelled late in every half, from a Robbie Deas header and Bruce Anderson’s penalty.
The opening two minutes set the scene for an entertaining quarter-final as Jonah Ayunga knocked a cross into the side-netting earlier than St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George saved from David Watson on the different finish.
The motion stored coming. Mandron twice got here shut earlier than former Saints midfielder Greg Kiltie curled inches vast.
The opener got here within the twenty fifth minute after Richardson minimize out a cross and launched the ball ahead for Mandron. The striker confirmed nice talent to lob the ball over the pinnacle of Lewis Mayo earlier than drilling into the far nook.
Killie levelled within the forty fourth minute when Dom Thompson despatched in an outswinging free-kick and Deas received a run on Richard King earlier than steering a header into the highest nook.
Killie goalkeeper Max Stryjeck produced a superb response save after the interval to push a first-time effort from Killian Phillips on to the bar.
However the guests – cheered on by 2,252 travelling followers – had been again in entrance within the 59th minute as they stored the strain on following an extended throw. Richardson chested down a headed clearance earlier than volleying into the highest nook from 22 yards.
Stuart Kettlewell instantly introduced on Anderson however the sport was virtually out of Kilmarnock’s attain after they misplaced the ball instantly after the restart. Stryjek tipped over Ayunga’s strike after Saints broke.
Anderson virtually had a swift affect however Miguel Freckleton slid in to dam the striker’s goalbound effort.
After being stung by a stoppage-time VAR handball resolution towards Celtic final weekend, Killie thought they need to have had a penalty when Thompson’s free-kick appeared to strike the arm of Keanu Baccus.
The Australian’s arm appeared to be proper by his aspect and, with no video know-how in use, referee David Dickinson gave a nook.
Declan John hit a free-kick simply over for St Mirren, who noticed skipper Mark O’Hara stroll off injured. Liam Donnelly got here on for his debut amid boos from the followers he had performed in entrance of for the earlier three seasons.
Mandron shot straight at Stryjek from 18 yards and Saints had been made to pay when King introduced down Marley Watkins because the substitute appeared from his blind aspect because the defender tried to play the ball. Anderson blasted the 86th-minute spot-kick down the center of the online.
There was loads of aerial strain at each ends in extra-time however, with seven attracts between the groups within the opening 5 fixtures of the league season, it was no shock the tie went all the best way.
