St Johnstone edge Kilmarnock in seven-goal thriller

St Johnstone twice gave up a lead before storming back to edge a seven-goal thriller on their Scottish Premiership return at home to Kilmarnock.

Simo Valakari's daring substitutions, when trailing 3-2, changed the game in the second half.

Louis Lloyd, with his first touch after coming off the bench, forced Michael Schjonning-Larsen into an own goal.

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Kai Fotheringham then clinched a 4-3 victory for last season's Championship title winners with the first top-flight goal of his career.

Killie were content to let St Johnstone dominate the ball early on and frustrate.

Yet a slip at halfway from Aaron Tshibola gave the hosts all the space required to counter-attack - and take a 16th-minute advantage.

Sam Stanton pounced to pinch possession before feeding Ruari Paton. He released Jamie Gullan on the overlap and a cutback picked out Fowler eight yards from goal.

Prolific for Queen's Park in the first half of last season's Championship, Fowler has not been able to replicate that form since a January switch to Saints.

But the 24-year-old showed his deadly touch has not deserted him by lashing in a left-foot finish.

Saints remained dominant and dangerous with the lead, creating a host of chances. But Killie equalised against the run of play in the 37th minute.

Erik Ring's inswinger was cushioned down by the head of Tom Lowery. Saints defenders were too occupied by Tyreece John-Jules to spot Greg Kiltie's arrival.

The Killie skipper stole in at the back post to fire past goalkeeper Toby Steward from six yards.

Saints restored their lead two minutes into the second half.

Fowler did well to force Jamie Brandon into conceding a corner. It was too easy for Saints after that as Gullan's deep delivery was met by a powerful downward header from Cheick Diabate.

Saints were careless with this lead as they fell behind six minutes later.

Steward's hesitancy coming for a cross from the right saw him stranded in no man's land. Joe Hugill's touch looped the ball over the on-loan Portsmouth keeper and into the net.

Killie seized the momentum to strike again.

Nicky Clescenco cut inside down the left to force a one-handed stop from Steward. The rebound hit off the luckless Jason Holt for an own goal.

Valakari made a trio of attacking switches, the bravest being Lloyd's introduction for Reece McAlear.

The endeavour paid off within seconds.

Gullan's superb set piece dropped between goalkeeper Max Stryjek and his defence. Lloyd stooped to connect with his first touch and the ball went in off Schjonning-Larsen.

The subs continued to trouble Killie and led to a dramatic winner.

Fotheringham and Fowler exchanged passes. The former Dundee United attacker shifted the ball smartly to his right foot to take out Bailey Rice then fired low and hard past Stryjek.

Valakari: I never doubted the character of my players

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari:

"That was a test of character. Would we be this team who plays nice football in the Premiership but concedes goals and loses?

"Our boys took control from the start, pushed our opponent back and scored a good goal.

"We were disappointed to go in 1-1 at half-time and it was a test after we went 3-2 down very quickly.

"How the players pushed until the end was very good. That's what football is all about - all about emotions and suffering in parts of the game.

"The Premiership is different; there was a lot of talk about that. We were up against a good, well-coached team.

"We won't get carried away - we know how thin the lines are. All we have from this match is three points.

"We know there are a lot of things we need to improve on. But, as a football fan and a football romantic, it was a beautiful match.

"I never doubted the character of my players."

What the result means and next fixtures...

• St Johnstone fixtures
• Kilmarnock fixtures
• Scottish Premiership fixtures