A late Conor O'Keefe goal sealed a thrilling 4-3 win for the St Mirren U20s over Kilmarnock last night at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The young Buds were 2-0 ahead on the half hour mark after goals from Josh Todd and Ryan Watters. Kilmarnock levelled the scores soon after before taking the lead half way through the second half. But Saints weren't to be beaten as O'Keefe scored twice to win the game.
It was Todd who put Saints ahead as he slipped the ball under the legs of the goalkeeper on 20 minutes after being played through by Kalvin Orsi.
Then, 10 minutes later, O'Keefe was bundled over in the box with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Watters stepped up and tucked the ball into the corner of the net to double the advantage.
But just six minutes later the visitors were back on level terms. Jack Paterson pulled their first goal back with a tidy finish from the edge of the box before Killie levelled after a lightening quick break from a Saints corner.
And they could have been mere moments later when a wicked swerving effort from Adam Frizzell was superbly pushed over the bar by Chris Henry.
Kilmarnock started the brighter in the second half and were ahead on 66 minutes through Frizzell, who slid in to knock a cross from the left into the net.
But like Saints lead would only last six minutes, the Killie's only lasted three when O'Keefe lobbed the goalkeeper from narrow angle on the right side.
With time ticking away a draw looked certain, only for O'Keefe to break through and lob the keeper for a second time with 94 minutes on the clock to secure three points in the most dramatic of circumstances.
The current standings in the SPFL Development League are available here.
St Mirren: Henry, McNaughton, Barclay, Fjelde, Gordon (McDonald, 45), Whyte, Todd, MacPherson, Watters (Pignatiello, 70), Orsi, O'Keefe
Subs Not Used: Willison, Johnston, Fawkes, McKendry
Kilmarnock: Lyle, Webb, Lidington (McFadzean, 57), Queen, Clark, Hawkshaw, Whittaker, Frizzell, Cameron (Morrison, 78), Paterson (Curtis, 62), McLean
Subs Not Used: Dempsie, Kayode, Cobain
