Kilmarnock held 2-2 by 10-man St Johnstone at Rugby Park as fans boo and pressure mounts

Kilmarnock drew 2-2 with 10-man St Johnstone at Rugby Park in a Scottish Premiership match on Saturday, a result that prompted loud boos from the home crowd at full-time. Manager Neil McCann told BBC Scotland, "We need the support more than ever."

The reaction from sections of the Rugby Park support underlined growing frustration despite the draw moving Kilmarnock off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership. McCann's side have only enjoyed two league wins all season, and failing to beat St Johnstone at home after the visitors were reduced to 10 men for most of the match is a clear concern for the manager. The patience of the club's regulars was tested as boos and finger-pointing followed the final whistle.

Kilmarnock dominated possession and chances by several measurable margins: they registered 22 goal attempts, their highest total in a league match this season, and completed 542 passes, their most in a single Premiership game this term. McCann highlighted the missed opportunities: "The amount of chances we created... we just didn't take them," and added, "That being said, a man up, 2-1 up, you shouldn't lose two points. 'Sometimes when you're a man up it's difficult because that team are working ever so hard - it's difficult to play against and it requires patience.'" McCann told BBC Scotland.

The manager described the two goals conceded to a 10-player St Johnstone as particularly painful. "The most galling thing is they've scored two goals with 10 men - that's a sore one," McCann told BBC Scotland. He said the players were giving full effort: "The players are working with everything they've got. There's no lack of willingness or effort to win games."

McCann also addressed the atmosphere and its effect on the team, saying: "I felt the uneasiness around the stadium, even when we were 2-1 up. And the players looked like they were being affected by it." He added, "We rushed things and, when it gets to 2-2, with lots of time left, there's no need to panic. We got into good areas, but we just lacked that quality." The club had lost their previous two matches and taken one point from the past available nine.

Kilmarnock face a difficult run of fixtures. Their last match before the international break is away to the defending champions and league leaders, Celtic, who scored five at Rugby Park in August; on their past three trips to Glasgow's east end Kilmarnock have conceded 13 goals and the club have not won there since October 2012. A club and manager with only two wins from their past 11 matches in all competitions enter an environment where past results and recent form will weigh heavily.

Their last match before the international break is away to Celtic. It's the games that follow against Aberdeen, St Mirren and Hibs that will determine just how a rocky a road lies ahead, both for Kilmarnock and for McCann.