Broony so happy to be a blank manager in Perth

Gaffer says Ayr can take a lot of credit for stifling Saints

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SCOTT BROWN savoured Ayr's stifling job on St Johnstone as the leaders drew a Championship blank for the first time.

The Honest Men extended their undefeated streak to six thanks to a terrific defensive display.

Visiting keeper David Mitchell didn't have a save to make against a side that had struck 18 times in the league before yesterday.

Ayr enjoyed the three best opportunities of the match but on-loan Portsmouth keeper Toby Steward once again conjured big saves.

And sub striker Anton Dowds directed a free header wide four minutes into stoppage-time.

So Simo Valakari’s men were content to end the first quarter of the campaign unbeaten with a six-point lead intact.

"Look, defending is an art," said Somerset boss Brown. "They chucked everyone on and still didn't have any shots on target.

"That's the best defensive job I've seen us do and we did it against the league leaders.

"For 90 minutes we enjoyed defending. St Johnstone had scored the most goals, had most shots and the most flair in the final third this season.