St Johnstone and Ross County had to settle for a 0-0 Premiership cinch draw as neither side could find an advantage in another lively encounter.
Both teams hit goal in the first 10 minutes through Stevie May and Kazeem Olaigbe, but that’s as close as they get to the goal.
The second half was similar when both sides created opportunities but could not convert opportunities.
Both sides struggled to find clinical contact in the final third, with only one hit on target at all times.
St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson made just one substitution to beat St Mirren 3-0, with Liam Gordon back in the starting line-up. Malky Mackay made three changes to his Ross County team, the last in a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen, with William Akio, Olaigbe and Keith Watson coming on from the start.
The match started off excitingly when both sides had cannon shots back at the goal fence in the first 10 minutes.
Both St Johnstone and Ross County wasted chances in the draw
Melker Hallberg and Drey Wright coordinated well on the right flank for the home team, with a cross then finding an unmarked May, whose shot went wide over the post.
Moments later, the ping pong circled around the St Johnstone penalty area after a superb header by Akio with his shot finally blocked. Olaigbe reacted the fastest to the tackle but his quick shot went over the bar.
Olaigbe continued to be a shining light as he drove forward again for County, breaking through the middle of the park and creating space inside the penalty box for a long shot, but he made a low effort. I went too far towards the vertical column.
After a lull, Andy Considine headed home from close range before Nicky Clark followed from close range, but both were denied by Remi Matthews.
Although there were no goals, it was an entertaining meet at McDiarmid . Park
At the end of the first half, Akio found space on the edge of the box but failed to pick a teammate in his cut and it was a similar theme for both sides.
Ross County came close to the 56th minute when Alex Iacoviti managed to knock David Cancola down after a hard collision. The midfielder’s shot outside the box was held by Matthews despite its ferocity.
With the rest of the game goalless, Halberg pushed the hosts forward and picked Adam Montgomery, with the loan Celtic defender’s cross in the ideal position for Murphy to score. His effort narrowly missed the post as both sides began to wonder if the goal would come.
In the final minutes of the game, Ali Crawford shot from inside the box after Wright’s initial effort was thwarted but could not continue his effort as the ball narrowly went over the bar.
What’s next?
St Johnstone will return from an international break with a trip to Dundee United on 1 October.
Ross County host Hibs on the same day. Both matches start at 3pm.
