Tommy Wright states case for his defence

However, Wright was just as fulsome in his praise for the rest of his rearguard, particularly central defenders Joe Shaughnessy and Jason Kerr, as the McDiarmid Park outfit stayed fifth in the table and moved to within two points of Hearts in third.

Wright said: "My goalkeeper's not had a lot to do but that shows you the quality and where he would be ready to play at a higher level.

"He's had nothing to do and he produces a save like he did. So his concentration levels are high.

"I thought the two full-backs (Richard Foster and Scott Tanser) were excellent.

"They've had to deal with pace, particularly on Richard's side as he's had to deal with (Mikael) Ndjoli and then (Jordan) Jones.

"But the two centre-backs were rocks, unbelievable. They made it a difficult afternoon for two top-class strikers.

"I think Jason and Joe are forming a really good partnership, and both of them are improving, Jason on the ball as well.

"You probably couldn't have split the two of them, in terms of our best players."

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession and domination, with Kilmarnock kicking off in the ascendancy before being pinned back by the home side.

Half-chances came and went at both ends in the first half and at the start of the second period before Clark brilliantly clawed Stewart's curling shot away from the top corner after an hour.

St Johnstone came even closer to the breakthrough seven minutes from time when Matt Kennedy drifted in from the left flank and sent in a swerving, dipping effort from the left apex of the area that crashed back off the post.

With victory eluding both sides, Killie manager Steve Clarke joined counterpart Wright in hailing his defence following back-to-back shut-outs and a run of just one defeat in their last nine matches that sees them sit fourth in the table.

He said: "Before we went to Hearts, we spoke about being more solid and not giving a goal away. We managed to do that again, which means we take a point home.

"If you defend well, it gives you a platform to go and win the game but we couldn't quite get the victory."

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