St Johnstone dominated a fairly dull first half but had to wait until the 33rd minute to record their first notable attempt on goal as Paul Sheerin went close with a 30-yard pile-driver.
The home side piled on the pressure just before half-time with Jason Scotland going close with a long-range effort in the 42nd minute, and then a minute later Kevin James heading wide from a Sheerin cross.
The second half was a much more open affair and it was St Mirren who were first to threaten. In the 49th minute a flat back-pass from Simon Mensing gifted St Mirren top scorer Stewart Kean with a chance to go through one-on-one with the keeper. Fortunately for the big defender, his keeper Matt Glennon was alert and came out quickly to smother the attempt.
Sheerin again threatened to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he struck the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
St Johnstone boss Owen Coyle knew it wasn't going to be his day when, in the 78 minute, James had a header brilliant saved from Tony Bullock as he leapt to tip it over the bar.
Neither side will be overly-disappointed with a share of the spoils in a tight match, and the result keeps the title challenge from St Johnstone alive.
Both the top sides in the division both loeked they were afraid to loose this match rather then intent on wining it on a late afteroon in Perth.
St Johnstone dominted a fairely dull first half but had to wait till the 33 min to record their first notable attempt on goal as Paul Sheerin went close with a 30 yard pile driver.
The home side piled on the pressure just before half time with Jason Scotland going close with a long range effort in the 42nd min and then a minute later Kevin James heading wide from a Sheerin cross.
The second half was a much more open affair and it was the paisley saints who were first to threatened. In their 49th min a flat back pass from Simon Mensing gifted gift St Mirren top scorer Stewart Kean with a chance to go through one on one with the keeper.
Fort for the big defender his keeper Matt Glennon was alert and came out quickly to smother the attempt.
Sheerin again threatened to break the deadlock in the 73rd min when he struck the past with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
St Johnstone boss owe coil knew it wasnt going to be his day when in the 78 min Kevin James had a header brilliant saved from Tony Bullock as he lept to tip it over the bar.
Neither side will be overly disappointed with the share of the spoils in the tight match and the result keep the title challenge from St Johnstone alive.