There was a perhaps even more surprising elsewhere in the Saints side, with David Barron handed his first ever chance in the big team after doing well in the reserves. The youngster played at right wing back, with David van Zanten playing as part of a back three. Alex Burke and Garry Brady completed the changes from the game against Dundee United.
The first half was fairly poor, with Barron providing one of the few bright spots for Saints when he went on a wandering run that took him from his correct place to the left hand corner flag! Dargo had very little of the ball and was clearly lacking in match sharpness, but his inclusion gave the whole place a boost.
The best chances in the first half fell to Killie, with Colin Nish heading Willie Gibson's cross well wide and David Fernandez having a shot deflected into Chris Smith's hands. Apart from that? Saints had a few efforts that went well wide, while the ball got stuck at Maxwell's feet when he tried to finish a Mark Corcoran corner.
Half time spelled the end of Barron's inclusion, the youngster taking a knock in the first half that meant he couldn't continue. Dargo's debut didn't last much longer, although that was due to his lack of fitness rather than another setback. In between the changes, Billy Mehmet smacked an effort well wide following a good run.
Burke's inclusion in the starting lineup was a surprise - although not up there with Barron and Dargo playing - but he did well against one of his many former clubs. Good set up play from Mehmet saw Burke beat one Killie man before try to lob Alan Combe - he may be a donkey at times but even he can't be chipped when he's half a yard off his line. He did, however provide some donkeyness just after when he appeared to carry the ball out of his area but got away with it. Lucky git.
Rather amusingly, it was Andy Millen who had one of the few decent chances, blazing well over when Mark Corcoran's corner was cleared to him. Gary mason and Franco Miranda - on for Dargo - also put efforts wide before Kilmarnock nearly opened the scoring. A great cross from Gibson picked out Nish and while his header was excellent, Chris Smith's save was even better and he turned it behind for a corner.
After that there wasn't a lot else to write home about. A few Saints efforts were either wide or straight at come, including an Andy Millen shot that would have gone in had it just clipped someone on its way to Combe. Sadly it didn't play ball.
A well earned point for Saints in a game they could have won but just as easily could have lost. barron's impressive showing and the return of Dargo give us reason for optimism, although Gretna's win at Dundee United is a worry for two reasons - it closes the gap and makes you wonder even more about last week!
Roll on Hearts on Boxing Day.