St Kilda falls short of memorable win over Port Adelaide St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes reacts after the final siren. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun ST KILDA supporters have grown familiar with such heartbreak -- and in more important games than this one. They've seen a Darren Jarman burglary, a Matthew Scarlett toe poke and a rogue bounce of the ball from Stephen Milne's grasp. But it still would have galled them to see their team come back from eight goals down to snatch a late lead only for a series of unfortunate events to deny them. After an awful first half, St Kilda lifted its intensity and dragged itself back into the game in the third quarter, led by the old firm of Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and Nick Riewoldt. Where Port had dominated, St Kilda's kicks suddenly started to hit their targets, the 50-50 balls were being won, the tackles sticking and the forward pressure was forcing the Port defenders to panic. The Saints booted the five of the six for that third quarter and the foundation was laid for a remarkable comeback. But there always seemed to be a stumbling block when the game was there to be won in the final quarter. When the Saints got to within two goals early in the last term and looked to have all the momentum, they were stopped in their tracks by a dreaded interchange infringement. Four minutes into the final term, with Jack Steven streaming down the wing, both Hayes and Josh Saunders ran onto the field, prompting the fourth umpire to raise his flag. Port received a free kick and a 50-metre penalty but Chad Wingard missed the shot. At the other end Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Riewoldt all missed gettable goals and the sense of doom was palpable. St Kilda debutant Tom Curren put the Saints in front with his first goal in league footy. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: HeraldSun But the Saints persisted, with Jack Steven and Tom Lee kicking brilliant goals to edge them closer. They hit the front for the first time mid-way through the final quarter when substitute Tom Curren, playing in his first game, superbly crumbed off a marking contest in the goalsquare and slammed through a low kick at full pace. Or did he? The umpires called for the video review, and after some deliberation -- examining footage that may well have been shot from the Bolte Bridge -- Curren's effort was paid a goal and the Saints led by three points. But more drama was to come. Twenty-one minutes into the term, Port back flanker Jasper Pittard streamed through the centre of the ground, pursued by one-time Grand Final Sprint champion Rhys Stanley. The big Saint closed in at centre half forward and lunged desperately at Pittard's back, only for his hand to slightly clip his leg. A free kick was paid, and when Nick Dal Santo pushed the ball from Pittard's hands, a 50-metre penalty and goal followed. Power utility Jasper Pittard draws a free kick off Saint Rhys Stanley. There was a dodgy in-the-back paid to Robbie Gray; the almost identical incident called play on against Stephen Milne at the other end. And then with the Saints mounting a final desperate forward thrust, Justin Westhoff took a match-saving pack mark that would have had Leo Barry checking copyright laws. In the end the Power's outstanding first half was too much of a factor. That first half was one that exploited St Kilda's two achilles heels of a lack of tall defenders and a not enough depth of quality midfielders. In truth it would come as no surprise if St Kilda officials issued James Gwilt, Dylan Roberton and Tom Simpkin with a blindfold and a cigarette every time they ran down the race before the game. For the Saints' undersized defenders must take the field each week with all the relish of trio walking out to greet the firing squad. Port's power forwards John Butcher (197cm), Justin Westhoff (199cm) and Jay Schulz (193cm) contributed a combined 17 marks. It might well have been more but for the brave efforts of St Kilda's besieged backline. And besieged they were in that first half, given the frequency with which Port Adelaide cleared the ball from centre bounces, often streaming clear under minimal pressure. Early in the match Port ruckman Matthew Lobbe had the better of Ben McEvoy in the hitouts, while the likes of Travis Boak, Brad Ebert and Hamish Hartlett pumped the ball forward with ease. In general play, Pittard and Cam O'Shea were able to hurt the Saints with penetrating and precise kicks through the middle of the ground, while the Saints largely relied on edging the ball forward along the wings. At the other end Riewoldt found himself frequently double teamed, and Lee was unable to have any influence. McEvoy tried to help by pushing forward and providing an option 35 metres out from goal, marking strongly and kicking three goals through the ploy. At ground level Milne's tricks are starting to wear as thin as that one when your uncle points at your chest then flicks your nose. When it comes to his football mortality, it may just be that his day in court will be the least of his worries. The Saints were gallant in defeat, but as Watters and the fans will tell you, they are growing sick of gallant and frustrating losses.