St Mirren's unbeaten run came to an end as Hibernian picked up all three points thanks to a first-half goal from Kevin Nisbet. 

There was very little between the two sides beyond Nisbet's terrific finish on 18 minutes. That was the first real piece of play either side created in the opening period of the match. Martin Boyle was allowed to drift in from the right along the edge of the box before picking out Nisbet just inside the box. The striker didn't have much space to work with but took a touch to compose himself before stroking into the top corner leaving Jak Alnwick with no chance.  

Saints heads didn't go down after the Hibs opener with MacPherson having the visitors first opportunity of the march three minutes after the goal. The midfielder, in for the injured Jake Doyle-Hayes, swung a foot on a Marcus Fraser cross, but it was easy for Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. Jamie McGrath was next to meet a Fraser ball on 26 minutes with the in-form Irishman nodding over.

Both sides made a change at the interval with Drey Wright on for ex-Saint Kyle Magennis, while Jim Goodwin brought on Ilkay Durmus for the injured Richard Tait.

Durmus could have made a quick impact but passed up a glorious chance to get Saints level six minutes after his introduction. The winger was found in acres of space inside the Hibernian box by a terrific MacPherson cross. He got the header wrong though and harmlessly nodded wide of target.  

With a little under 25 minutes to go Jon Obika was introduced to the fold in place of Lee Erwin. And the striker almost made an immediate impact when he latched on to a Ethan Erhahon ball over the top. He took it first time when he probably had more time than he thought which allowed Hibernian sub goalkeeper Dillon Barnes to gather. 

A minute later a fortuitous break of the ball following a Wright shot fell nicely for Hibs goalscorer Nisbet in acres of space at the back post. The striker looked like he was on hand to double his and Hibernian's tally only to inexplicably send the effort wide of target. 

Saints hopes of finding a leveller heading into the latter stages of the game were made tougher when Brandon Mason was giving his marching orders. The full-back could have no complaints after he was shown a second yellow card on 83 minutes after a foul on Martin Boyle.

There was still time for some late drama when Christian Doidge was shown a red card for the home side after catching Erhahon with a loose arm. 

Saints did commit men forward in an attempt to find an equaliser that would extend the unbeaten run to 12 matches but couldn't create the opportunity that would have got us level. 

Full-Time: Hibernian 1-0 St Mirren

WATCH - JIM GOODWIN REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (Durmus 45), Connolly (Morias 70), McGrath (Dennis 70), MacPherson (McAllister 78), Erhahon, Mason, Erwin (Obika 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Foley, Flynn

Hibernian: Marciano (Barnes 57), P.McGinn, Hanlon (c), Porteous, Stevenson, Magennis (Wright 45), Hallberg (Gogic 90), Newell, Boyle, Doidge, Nisbet (Gullan 81)
Subs Not Used: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Doig, S.McGinn, Bradley

Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Don Robertson

As part of our #12DaysOfChristmas social media campaign we have given away a range of prizes including a box of pies courtesy of our friends at Pie Sports, a year's subscription to St Mirren TV and a half-season ticket for 2020/21. 

Now we have our biggest giveaway yet with our bundle prize. You could win the following items:

- A 2020/21 away shirt
- Signed limited edition Be In That Number posters featuring Jon Obika, Jak Alnwick, Richard Tait, Cammy MacPherson and Ethan Erhahon.
- A St Mirren scarf
- A St Mirren branded copy of FIFA 21
- A signed football
- A six-month subscription to St Mirren TV
- A phone wallpaper unique to you
- A personalised video message from the manager and a player of your choosing

To be in with a chance of winning we want you to share your best festive St Mirren stories, matches, memories, pictures etc. with us on social media. We'll pick our favourite with the winner being announced on Christmas Day.

Our Scottish Premiership fixture against Celtic, originally scheduled for Sunday 24th January 2021, has been rearranged.

Due to our qualification for the Betfred Cup semi-final the match will now take place at the SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday 10th February 2021 live on Sky Sports.

The new fixture details are below.

St Mirren v Celtic
Scottish Premiership
Venue: SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
Date: Wednesday 10th February 2021
Kick-off: 8pm

St Mirren are off to the capital to face fourth place Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Jim Goodwin's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches when they take on the Hibees at Easter Road.

A 3-2 win over St Johnstone on Saturday capped off a perfect week for Saints following wins against Rangers in the Betfred Cup and away to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Hibernian are on a run of eight matches unbeaten since a 2-0 loss to Aberdeen at the start of November. Since that defeat Jack Ross' side have won five and drawn three. 

Match Details

Hibernian v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Kick-off: 6pm
Venue: Easter Road

Can I watch the match?

Supporters can watch Wednesday night's match live on Hibernian's PPV for £15.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live as part of their subscription.

Previous

St Mirren have faced Hibernian once this season back in September. 

Saints were dealt a major blow when all first-team goalkeepers were ruled out and Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal had to be drafted in at the last minute.

Hibernian ran out 3-0 winners with Kevin Nisbet, Joe Newell and Martin Boyle on the scoresheet.

The Buddies drew 2-2 when they last visited Easter Road in February. Conor McCarthy and Tony Andreu netted for Saints. 

Who are the officials?

The referee on Wednesday night is Steven Kirkland. He'll be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Graham McNeillie. The fourth official is Don Robertson. 

Saints extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches after coming from behind twice to beat St Johnstone 3-2 at the SMiSA Stadium.

Ethan Erhahon's second goal of the season was sandwiched between goals from Stevie May and Scott Tanser in a disappointing first half for St Mirren.

But two late goals in the space of five minutes from Lee Erwin and Jon Obika gave the Buddies the win in the battle of the Saints. 

Erwin had the first opportunity of the game after a quiet opening to the match when his strike from distance was pushed over by St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark on 14 minutes.

On 18 minutes, man of the moment Jamie McGrath went close to scoring his sixth goal in five matches. The Irishman turned Murray Davidson brilliantly before driving a low effort just by Clark's right-hand post.

But four minutes later the Paisley Saints would find themselves behind. Referee Steven Maclean awarded the visitors a penalty when David Wotherspoon went down with minimal contact from Joe Shaughnessy. It looked soft but Stevie May stepped up and squeezed his effort just underneath Jak Alnwick to put St Johnstone in front.

With seven minutes of the half remaining St Mirren found an equaliser when youth academy graduate Erhahon slammed home. 

However, with half-time fast approaching St Johnstone took the lead for a second time. A loose clearance from Joe Shaughnessy fell straight to Scott Tanser who curled home from 20 yards. 

The first-half drama wasn't over there though as the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Jason Kerr was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Ilkay Durmus.

The Buddies dominated possession in the second-half but were finding it difficult to break down the 10 men. Indeed it was St Johnstone who went closest to extending their lead on the hour mark when Alnwick was forced into a wonderful save to tip Liam Gordon's header over the bar.

Jim Goodwin responded by introducing Obika and Kyle McAllister and the two would make the difference. McAllister sent a delightful chipped ball for Erwin to head home from a tight angle with eight minutes remaining to draw Saints level. Then, on 87 minutes, Obika managed to find himself free in the St Johnstone box to aim a header beyond Clark following another pinpoint McAllister ball to seal all the points and make it six wins from the last seven for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 St Johnstone

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (MacPherson 74), Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (Obika 61), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (McAllister 61), Durmus (Mason 74), Erwin (Morias 85)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley

St Johnstone: Clark, Kerr, Tanser, Gordon, McCart, Davidson (Melamed 90), McNamara, Wotherspoon (Bryson 74), McCann, Conway (Rooney 61), May (Hendry 74)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Booth, Craig, Kane, Ferguson

Referee: Steven Maclean 
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

It's back to league football this weekend as we host St Johnstone at the SMiSA Stadium for a Scottish Premiership match-up.

We have a limited edition run of programmes, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, for the behind closed doors Scottish Premiership fixture played on Saturday 19th December.

This issue is a 32 pager with a £3 cover price.

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Ilkay Durmus.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren gaffer looks back at recent matches as well as looking ahead to the fixture against the Perth Saints.
The Opposition – We run the rule over Callum Davidson's St Johnstone squad.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Derek Drennan reviews a programme from a meeting between Saints and St Johnstone in 1984.
Centre Page Poster – Conor McCarthy.
Player Kit Sponsors 2020/21 – Check in to see who is sponsoring your favourite player's shirt for the season.
Marketing Matters – Campbell Kennedy updates on the latest events and happenings at the club's Commercial Department.
Yesterday's Saints – David Cochran looks back on the St Mirren career of Billy Mehmet.
Football Bloody Hell - Part one of Alan Gallacher's annual festive season quiz.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2020/21 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures and results for this season.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Saturday's match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2020/21 season click HERE.

It's a battle of the Saints on Saturday as St Mirren host St Johnstone at the SMiSA Stadium.

Both sides go into the match in confident form after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup. 

St Mirren ended Rangers 27 game undefeated run as Conor McCarthy's injury time goal gave the Buddies a 3-2 win.

The Perth Saints defeated Championship side Dunfermline on penalties on Tuesday night to make their way into the last four.

Match Details

St Mirren v St Johnstone
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 19th December 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

Can I watch the match?

Season ticket holders and international subscribers can watch the match on St Mirren TV. 

The match is also available to non-season ticket holders and away supporters on PPV for £12.50. 

Previous

This is the second meeting between the two after having faced each other at McDiarmid Park back in August.

Stevie May's 72nd minute goal gave the Perth Saints the points in the previous meeting.

Who are the officials?

The referee is Steven McLean. David McGeachie and Craig Ferguson are the linesmen. Scott Lambie is the fourth official. 

St Mirren are on the march to Hampden after a stunning last-gasp win over Rangers in the Betfred Cup.

Conor McCarthy smashed Rangers' 27 game unbeaten record with an injury time winner to seal a 3-2 win over the Gers and send Saints into the semi-finals where they will face Livingston.

While it was an unforgettable night for Jim Goodwin's men they could have been forgiven for thinking that a long night was in store when Rangers took the lead with just seven minutes played. McCarthy's header was picked up deep in the Saints half by Connor Goldson who strolled beyond Ethan Erhahon on his way into the box and slammed home. 

Saints claims for a penalty were denied on 34 minutes when Jon Obika went down in the box under the challenge from Leon Balogun. Referee David Dickinson, who was a late replacement for the injured Andrew Dallas, said no.

The Buddies would win a penalty six minutes later when Dylan Connolly was felled by Calvin Bassey. Jamie McGrath stepped up and coolly stroked beyond Allan McGregor to make it four goals in four matches.

It didn't take long into the second-half for McGrath to make it five in four after a well worked move from Saints. Erhahon fed the ball down the channel to Connolly who raced down the right-hand side before swinging a low ball into the Rangers box. Jon Obika held it up before laying off to McGrath. The Irishman showed great composure to twist by the Gers defence and knock beyond McGregor to put Saints in front.

Rangers thought they were level on 65 minutes when James Tavernier had the ball in the Saints net. Alnwick couldn't hold Kent's long-range effort with Kemar Roofe on to the rebound and rolling back to Tavernier who tucked home. But the linesman had judged that Roofe had run the ball out of play.

The visitors put pressure on to try and find an equaliser in the final 15 minutes with Alnwick holding a low drive from Tavernier on 75 minutes.

Then, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Rangers found a leveller through substitute Steven Davis. Tavernier's free-kick cracked off the post and fell to Davis whose shot into the corner just evaded Alnwick to find its way into the top corner. 

It was a sickener for Saints who looked to be heading into extra-time. But this St Mirren side had other ideas. A McGrath corner was pushed away by McGregor, only for Doyle-Hayes to force it back to McGrath who swung it in again. Richard Tait rose the highest only to be denied by a wonderful save by McGregor. It landed at the feet of McCarthy who slammed into the roof of the net to secure a memorable win for the Paisley Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (MacPherson 82), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Mason, Obika (Erwin 90)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Foley, Flynn, McAllister, Durmus, Dennis, Jamieson

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun (Hagi 84), Bassey (Barisic 56), Arfield (Davis 56), Zungu (Kamara 72), Aribo, Kent, Itten (Defoe 72), Roofe
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Helander, Patterson, Barker

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Chris Graham 

St Mirren's #12DaysOfChristmas is underway with a range of great prizes and other content coming up on our social feeds in the build up to the big day. 

Yesterday saw Saints supporter Matthew Ramsay win a box of pies courtesy of our friends at Pie Sports and we have more giveaways planned over the coming days. 

With just nine days to go until Christmas we have two striking wallpapers available for your phone featuring St Mirren's number nine Jon Obika.

Get yours below.

St Mirren's Scottish Premiership clash against Rangers at the SMiSA Stadium on 30th December 2020 will now kick-off at 3pm after an agreement between both clubs. 

The match was due to kick-off at 7:45pm, but the decision has been made to bring forward kick-off. 

St Mirren v Rangers
Scottish Premiership
The SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
Wed 30th December 2020
3pm kick-off