St Johnstone supporters must have been left wondering why they bothered returning after taking part in an evacuation practice at McDiarmid Park.

The Tayside Police and the club had offered fans the opportunity to attend the goalless bore draw with Kilmarnock for nothing if they helped out with an emergency drill.

But a lifeless game between the two Scottish Premier League strugglers must have left the returning Perth fans bemused as to why they had not simply gone home.

Saints' fans thought they had witnessed a dull game against Hearts in midweek, but they were not prepared for a repeat just three days later.

Just one shot each on target by half-time barely described how lifeless the first period had been.

Nathan Lowndes had done his best to provide some entertainment with an early rush into the area past Jim Lauchlan but Gordon Marshall was off his line swiftly to annul the threat.

As early as the 11th minute Saints were forced into attempting to break the deadlock from distance but Danny Griffin's 30-yard strike was as weak as it was hopeful.

Desperation reared its head in the Killie ranks as Christophe Cocard appealed in vain for a penalty after a hefty challenge from Jim Weir, but referee Bobby Orr waved away the claims.

A neat piece of skill by Paddy Connolly fooled two Killie defenders but the striker's work came to nothing as John Paul McBride slipped as the cross headed towards him.

The incident summed up a period which had little cohesion and vitality. But finally the fans were offered a half-time talking point when Ian Durrant's corner was flicked goalwards at the near post by Cocard.

Killie were already celebrating until John O'Neil cleared with a header from under his crossbar.

Just three minutes into the second period the game had livened up. A long punt by Tosh McKinlay found Cocard on the edge of the area. The striker pushed his way between Darren Dods and Gary Bollan but poked his strike just wide.

Dods became a provider for Saints at the other end when his long ball found Connolly, who raced around Frederic Dindeleux but he shot straight at Marshall.

The fans had seen more entertainment in this first 15 minutes than the whole of the previous 135 minutes and when Lauchlan played a woeful back pass to Marshall it appeared a goal was also on its way.

O'Neil latched on to the defender's poor ball and closed in on goal, but Marshall moved off his line forcing the midfielder to double check and find another route to goal.

O'Neil eventually found some space on the edge of the box but could only prod the ball and the chance wide.

Two minutes later McKinlay sped down the left flank before crossing from the goalline. Gary Holt flicked his header to the edge of the box and Ally Mitchell drove inches over.

But the flurry of excitement was quickly overhauled by lethargy as the two teams settled back into their first-half routine as the game fell flat.

Not even the introduction of Andy Smith and Samassi Abou for Kilmarnock could enliven proceedings.

Teams

St Johnstone: Robertson, Weir, O'Neil, Kane, Lowndes (Jones 57), Connolly, Bollan, Griffin, O'Halloran, McBride (McMahon 65), Dods.

Subs Not Used: Cuthbert, McAnespie, Frail.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Cocard (Abou 76), Reilly, Holt, Durrant, Mitchell (Smith 76), Vareille, Dindeleux, Lauchlan, McKinlay.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hessey, Canero.

Att: 4,688

Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland).