Trever Carson came to 10-man St Mirren's rescue as the Buddies recovered from an early red card to earn another welcome point on the road.
In a game with few flashpoints, the first came within the opening ten minutes as Ethan Erhahon was given his marching orders after raising his arm to Rory McKenzie.
Despite their numerical and home advantage Kilmarnock struggled to open up the Buddies' steely defence all afternoon.
The Paisley side could have pinched all three points, with Keanu Baccus missing a brace of chances and Alex Greive almost netting in extra-time.
But it was keeper Carson that produced the pivotal moment of the game, saving superbly from Christian Doidge's late point-blank header to ensure the Saints returned to Paisley with a point from their first game of 2023.
After 11 substitute appearances this season Eamonn Brophy was finally handed his first start since April last year. He replaced Jonah Ayunga who failed to recover in time from the knock he picked up against Livingston.
With Mark O'Hara suspended from that trip to West Lothian, Greg Kiltie was handed a start in midfield with Marcus Fraser taking over the armband.
Killie made the brighter start in the Ayrshire sunshine, with Saints struggling to maintain possession early on.
Their average start plummeted to a terrible one when Erhahon, currently at the centre of a transfer tug of war, was handed a straight red card for catching McKenzie's face in an off the ball incident.
Stephen Robinson hooked Brophy and sent on midfield general Alex Gogic to try and steady the ship, with the Saints striker hugely frustrated to see his chance to impress cut short so quickly.
Keanu Baccus battled well in midfield to recover possession on the half-hour mark, with Ryan Strain eventually winning a corner that Scott Tanser delivered straight into the arms of Killie keeper Sam Walker.
The hosts were struggling to break through the Buddies' stubborn defence but a clever Scott Robinson set up Blair Alston on the edge of the box. His fierce drive was palmed away well by Trevor Carson.
Baccus then volleyed wide from a promising position 20 yards out after being set up by Kiltie as the uneventful game threatened to come to life.
Killie returned from the break with a fire lit under them, likely with boss Derek McInnes' words still ringing in their ears.
Gogic produced a crucial block on Alston in the middle of the penalty box as the Ayrshire side threatened to break the deadlock.
St Mirren were understandably taking their sweet time with set pieces and throw-ins, much to the aggrievance of the home support.
Despite being down a man the Buddies were still posing a serious threat on the break. Baccus held the ball up on the edge of the box before threading a terrific through ball to Strain. His cut back was desperately blocked behind by Walker, with the resulting corner cleared to safety.
Curtis Main was proving himself his usual nuisance up front. He battled well on the left wing before finding Baccus in the middle with a pinpoint cross. The Australia international could only volley harmlessly wide.
Killie defender Ben Chrisene barged his way through the St Mirren defence before setting up Armstrong, who flashed a curling long-range effort well over the bar.
Former Saints winger Jordan Jones entered the fray with half an hour left on the clock, looking to make the difference against his old employers.
The Buddies turned to experienced midfielder Ryan Flynn late on to try and see out the result, replacing Kiltie who tired on the plastic pitch.
With just eight minutes left on the clock it looked like Kilmarnock had finally found their way to goal.
Aston Villa loanee Chrisene delivered a sensational cross into the box to pick out Christian Doidge. His thunderous header was goalbound but Carson produced a tremendous save to keep the scores level.
Saints substitute Alex Greive, just back from compassionate leave, had a glorious chance to pinch all three points as the game edged into extra-time.
A St Mirren corner was eventually worked into the New Zealand striker in space by Marcus Fraser, but his volley cleared the bar as the Buddies battled to a respectable away draw.
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
