Adama Sidibeh rediscovers scoring touch to send St Johnstone through

Adama Sidibeh ended his six-month goal drought to send St Johnstone through to the last eight of the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 win over second-tier Hamilton.

A hugely frustrating afternoon for the Scottish Premiership’s bottom side looked like continuing into extra-time against Championship strugglers Hamilton.

But Makenzie Kirk, who missed three excellent chances, made way for Sidibeh in the 84th minute and three minutes later the Gambian striker netted for the first time since an away win over Kilmarnock in August.

This nervy 1-0 victory for Simo Valakari’s side marks the first time since 2018-19 that Saints have won four games in a row.

Valakari started six of his eight January signings, including debutants Daniels Balodis and Jonathan Svedberg.

Ninth in the Championship, Hamilton started ex-St Johnstone midfielder Connor Smith who made his loan switch from Perth permanent last month.

After responding to relegation pressures with back-to-back Premiership wins, Saints were dealt a very different dynamic.

The top-flight strugglers were in the unusual position of being strong favourites required to break down a defensive set-up.

That proved beyond them for the majority of an edgy tie in which they toiled to conjure killer deliveries into the box.

Accies served up a scare in the opening minutes.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher forced away a Kevin O’Hara drive before 60 seconds were up.

From the resulting corner, a full-stretch Nikolay Todorov was agonisingly close to diverting Ricki Lamie’s header past Fisher.

Saints took time to get creative, although Sam Curtis was offered a glaring chance on four minutes but his header lacked conviction and was easily cleared.

Later in the half, Kirk and Svedberg were also weak with headed opportunities right in front of goal – much to the relief of Dean Lyness who made routine saves.

The Accies goalkeeper did well to bat away a swerving Taylor Steven drive as Saints finished the first period strongly.

Saints used half-time substitute Stephen Duke-McKenna to improve the crosses into the area. The Harrogate loanee was erratic and frequently lost his footing, but he was direct and a danger.

Hamilton’s best chance fell to Oli Shaw in the 67th minute. One of four John Rankin changes before the hour, he darted beyond Bozo Mikulic but keeper Fisher produced a fine stop.

Kirk should have lashed home with his right foot when teed up by Duke-McKenna but Hamilton defender Reghan Tumilty threw himself in the way.

Kirk then skimmed the outside of the far post with a header from Duke-McKenna’s best ball as home frustrations showed.

Accies continued to pose a danger on the break, but the tie was settled when Sidibeh rediscovered the penalty box instincts that helped Saints avoid the drop last season.

The Gambian striker’s header diverted a long-range Graham Carey shot past off-balance goalkeeper Lyness and booked Saints a quarter-final berth.