Penalties seal it for Kilmarnock

Second-half penalties from Alexei Eremenko and Craig Slater ensured Kilmarnock got 2015 off to a winning start to as they beat 10-man St Mirren 2-1 in Paisley.Eremenko - who netted a stunning last-gasp free-kick to see off Hamilton last weekend - slammed home the first spot-kick eight minutes into the second-half.Former Saints youngster Slater then swept home a second effort from 12 yards with five minutes left.But the 20-year-old midfielder, who had already been booked for a foul on John McGinn, was soon heading down the tunnel after referee Willie Collum showed him a second yellow when he dived into the Killie fans behind the goal.The hosts - who pulled a goal back with their own last-gasp penalty by Gregg Wylde - also played out the final 19 minutes with 10 men after Kenny McLean was handed a straight red for an alleged head-butt on Ross Barbour.The midfielder, playing as a make-shift striker in place of the suspended Steven Thompson, insisted he had done nothing wrong as he walked off while there were angry words exchanged with Josh Magennis as McLean's former Buddies' team-mate urged Collum to send him off.It's a vital win which moves the Rugby Park men to within two points of the top six, but Saints - who have still to win a Premiership match in Paisley this season - remain second bottom.With the wind and rain sweeping round St Mirren Park, the 3,912 fans first-footing Paisley were forced to endure a scrappy opening 45 minutes.Eremenko and Magennis had early shots for Killie but there were never a threat to Mark Ridgers in the Saints goal, while McLean's speculative 40-yard effort ended up nearer to the corner flag than the back of the visitors' net.Lee Ashcroft drilled a shot straight at Ridgers after stand-in St Mirren skipper Marc McAusland failed to get enough distance on a clearing header on the half hour mark but for all that the swirling conditions were troublesome, neither goalkeeper looked too stressed with the action coming at them.Lewis McLear even cleared the North Stand behind former Saint Craig Samson's goal with a wild effort 10 minutes before the break.But the hosts did have a strong shout for a penalty as Kilmarnock striker Lee Miller grabbed hold of Sean Kelly's jersey as they both chased after McGinn's free-kick delivery into the box.Collum - already unpopular in these parts after controversially abandoning a rain-soaked match Saints were leading Ross County by 2-0 last season - did nothing to improve his image by waving away the appeals.However, the weather was almost responsible for the opener three minutes into the second half. Eremenko swung in a corner from the left but a huge gust of wind sent it speeding towards the back post. Ridgers got a hand on it but was relieved to see it sneak wide.Jim Goodwin rolled a low free-kick under the Killie wall but could only find the side netting.But it was Killie who took the lead as Collum once again made himself a target for the Paisley boo-boys.There did not seem to be much wrong with McAusland's challenge on former team-mate Magennis as they both jumped for Barbour's cross but the ref ruled the defender was guilty of a tug. Eremenko was given the spot-kick responsibility and drilled a low shot past Ridger's right hand.Saints upped the tempo as the sought a leveller but found Killie stubborn in defence.McGinn curled a 20-yard effort just over the bar but they soon found their task made even harder as McLean was handed a straight red following his clash with Barbour.But the drama was not done there. First Stevie Mallan tripped Magennis in the box before Slater stroked home the spot-kick. His wild celebration led him into trouble but as he collected his second booking.Substitute Wylde then fired home another penalty after Manuel Pascali pulled down Jason Naismith in the box but it was too little, too late for Saints.