The sides shared the points after a Clydesdale Bank Premier League stalemate in St Mirren's last league outing ahead of next Sunday's League Cup final against Hearts at Hampden.

Defender McAusland said: "We were pleased to keep a clean sheet, especially after Wednesday [the 2-1 defeat at Dundee].

"I felt if we did that we could maybe produce a goal; it wasn't to be but we're happy coming away with a clean sheet.

"I stuck to my job and tried to do the best I can and got the ball on a few occasions.

"The final is massive; since we got there, you're just trying to keep yourself injury-free and keep the performances ticking over.

"It's a great occasion for the town as well as the club, and you can see it already with posters and flags about the town.

"It's massive for the players and the fans who are looking forward to it, and it's going to be at the forefront of our minds all week.

"Hearts will come out and be feeling the same, that they can win, but if we play the best we can I'm sure we can win."

Meanwhile, reflecting on a 2-0 loss to St Johnstone, Killie manager Kenny Shiels has queried the fixture programme.

"The defeat puts us in the position where we have to win the last three games before the split. Nothing less will do.

"It is a big ask because Ross County are our next game and they're playing so well. That's the last team you want to play.

"It's been an unbelievable season where in the worst month of the year normally for weather is February and we played six matches in that period. We had a couple of weeks off in January and have three off in March. It is hard to figure out. But other teams are the same."