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Kris Boyd twice hit the frame of the goal as Kilmarnock were held to a draw by St Johnstone at Rugby Park.

The striker clipped the outside of the post before hammering against the crossbar on a frustrating day for the hosts.

Earlier, Paul Heffernan and Darren Barr tested Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

Rory Fallon had the visitors' best chance, the New Zealander nodding over the bar.

Allan Johnston is still looking for his first win since taking over at Killie while St Johnstone can take solace from a continued unbeaten Scottish Premiership start to the season following their midweek Europa League exit.

Stevie May, who is the subject of interest from Peterborough, fashioned an early chance for the Perth side but could not direct his shot on target from an awkward angle.

Stubborn defending typified Saints' first-half performance as they were forced to repel Kilmarnock's advances and try to build counter-attacks using the pace of Gwion Edwards.

And one of the Welsh winger's deliveries was volleyed on target by May, only for Craig Samson to make the save.

A header from Heffernan tested Mannus's reflexes and the goalkeeper claimed the ball low to his left after making the initial block.

The keeper had to be alert again after the break as Barr nodded Rory McKenzie's corner towards goal.

Fallon's header from an excellent Tam Scobbie delivery was just over Samson's bar and Chris Millar's well-struck shot suffered a similar fate before Boyd came to the fore.

First, the prolific forward dragged a low shot off the outside of the post from the edge of the area.

And then, after substitute William Gros's shot appeared to break loose off the arm of Steven Anderson, Boyd clattered the ball against the bar from the six-yard line.

Heffernan twice drew saves from Mannus as the Saints defence continued to come under pressure but there was to be no breakthrough in East Ayrshire.