St Mirren travel to Coatbridge tonight to take on Albion Rovers in our final Betfred Cup group stage match.

FORM

Saints go into tonight's game on four points having won one, drawn one and lost one of our first three Betfred Cup matches.

The Buddies bounced back from a 3-2 loss at home to Dunfermline to beat Edinburgh City 1-0 at the Simple Digital Arena last Wednesday night.

Oan Djorkaeff's late penalty on his first St Mirren start got Jim Goodwin his first win as Saints manager.

Saints were then held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Lowland League side East Kilbride. Following the 90 minutes, East Kilbride picked up the bonus point after winning 6-5 on penalties.

Albion have taken three points from their opening two Betfred Cup matches. They edged out East Kilbride 1-0 at K-Park on match day one thanks to ex-Saint Jordan Stewart's 25th minute goal, but fell to a 6-0 loss away to Dunfermline last week. 

PREVIOUS

The Buddies last faced Albion Rovers in a Challenge Cup tie at Cliftonhill in September 2016.

Saints looked like they were heading for a shock defeat when Albion raced into a 2-0 lead with just 13 minutes played. But three goals in eight minutes from Lewis Morgan, Stephen Mallan and John Sutton put the Buddies in the lead.

Rovers would equalise just two minutes after Sutton had made it 3-2 and the game went to extra-time. Lawrence Shankland's 98th minute header was enough to see St Mirren into the next round with the Buddies reaching the final of the competition that season.

Saints are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Albion Rovers stretching back to 1971. Since a 2-1 win for Rovers in September 1971, Saints have won 10 and drawn one of those meetings.

WHAT A WIN WOULD MEAN

Only a win would keep up Saints' feint hopes of qualification alive. The Buddies must pick up three points that would see them end the group on seven points. No club has qualified for the next round on seven points since the introduction of the groups let alone won a group with that total. 

However, it could be enough to win group H. For that to happen Dunfermline would have to lose to East Kilbride in their final match, while Edinburgh City would also have lose against Albion Rovers in one of their remaining two matches as two East Kilbride wins would see the Lowland League side top the group on eight points. Are you still with us?

Below is the only set of outcomes from the final four matches that would see St Mirren top the group:

Albion Rovers v St Mirren - St Mirren win
Edinburgh City v East Kilbride - Edinburgh City win
Dunfermline v East Kilbride - East Kilbride win
Albion Rovers v Edinburgh City - Albion Rovers win 

Those results would see Saints top the group on seven points, while Albion, Dunfermline and Edinburgh would end up with six points and East Kilbride with five. It's complicated!

TEAM NEWS

Gary MacKenzie could miss tonight's match after sitting out Saturday's draw with East Kilbride.

Family Stand season ticket holders have until 11th August to move their seats to either the Main or West Stand for our Ladbrokes Premiership match against Rangers.

Family Stand season ticket holders who buy tickets before the deadline will get them at the reduced price of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. 

Any Family Stand season ticket holder who misses the deadline and buys a ticket on the day will have to pay full price of £27 for adults and £17 for concessions.

St Mirren vs Rangers
Ladbrokes Premiership
Venue: Simple Digital Arena, Paisley
Date: Sunday 25th August 2019
Kick-off: 12:15pm

Ticket Prices (Family Stand season ticket holders)

Adults - £10
Concessions/13-17 - £5

*Children with under 12 season tickets will be moved free of charge with a paying adult/concession season ticket holder.

**Wheelchair users free of charge.

Please note these cannot be purchased online. They can only be purchased by visiting the ticket office or over the phone.

Tickets for our first Ladbrokes Premiership home match of the season against Aberdeen are also on-sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office and online.

* Under 12s will gain free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd July, St Mirren head to Coatbridge to face Kevin Harper's Albion Rovers side in a Betfred Cup group match at the Reigart Stadium.

The turnstiles will be open 75 minutes prior to kickoff.

The St Mirren fans will be located in the east side of the stand and the terracing area behind the goal.

Parking is available adjacent to the ground on Main Street. 

Disabled supporters can access the ground via the East Stewart Street gate and park within the ground next to the disabled viewing area.

The referee tomorrow is Barry Cook and he will be assisted by Kylie Cockburn and David Ingram.

St Mirren's hopes of qualifying for the next round of the Betfred Cup were dealt a blow after a frustrating 0-0 draw away to East Kilbride. 

Saints were largely in control of the match but couldn't find a breakthrough with East Kilbride goalkeeper Alan Martin in fine form, earning himself the man of the match away. 

The Buddies disappointment was compounded as East Kilbride picked up the bonus point after coming out on top on penalties.

The first opportunity of the match fell to the hosts on five minutes when Paul McGinn's clearance came off Jack Baird and landed at the feet of Sean Winter. The East Kilbride winger got his shot away but the attempt was always heading wide. 

It was a slow start to the match, but the Buddies started to turn the screw after 20 minutes with Tony Andreu at the centre of three Saints chances in quick succession. The Frenchman played a lovely through ball for Oan Djorkaeff who looked primed to go one-on-one with Martin. But a last-gasp challenge from a Kilby defender allowed the goalkeeper to come out and smother.

Moments later, Andreu played a corner to the edge of the area where it met skipper Stephen McGinn. The captain had a go but Martin was equal to it. 

Andreu then picked out Kyle Magennis inside the East Kilbride box. The young midfielder rounded Martin but slammed into the side net from a tight angle. 

With half-time approaching Saints really should have been ahead when Stephen McGinn's long ball found Danny Mullen clear of the Kilby defence. The striker smashed goalward, denied by a fine Martin save before the goalkeeper blocked the follow-up attempt.

Saints looked like they would take the lead just seconds before the whistle blew for half-time when Magennis curled a shot towards the far post. It seemed as if it was going to creep in but Martin managed to gather.

The Buddies started the second-half brightly with Djorkaeff heading over from a corner and Mullen & Magennis having efforts saved by Martin in the opening five minutes after the interval. 

Jim Goodwin made changes after the hour mark with Jim Kellermann and Cody Cooke on to replace Stephen McGinn and Magennis. Cooke went agonisingly close to heading Saints ahead just a few minutes after his introduction. The English striker was on the end of a wonderful Cammy MacPherson cross but nodded just over the bar.

With just over 10 minutes to go, the Buddies cranked up the pressure. Andreu had a shot blocked after getting on the end of a quick Ryan Flynn free-kick and sent another effort inches wide either side of a Kellermann strike that was well saved by Martin. 

But Saints couldn't find the breakthrough they needed and headed to penalties for a bonus point. Paul McGinn, Andreu, Flynn and MacPherson all scored which allowed Danny Mullen the chance to win it after Ryan Sinnamon had missed for the home side. However, the striker smashed his penalty over taking the match to sudden death. Djorkaeff scored as did East Kilbride's Dean Cairns. Cooke missed after being ordered to retake his penalty which allowed David Brownlie to seal the bonus point for the Lowland League outfit.

Full Time: East Kilbride 0-0 St Mirren (East Kilbride win 6-5 on penalties)

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, P.McGinn, Baird, Erhahon, Flynn, S.McGinn (Kellermann 61), Magennis (Cooke 70), Andreu, Djorkaeff, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Walker, McAllister, Glover, Breadner

East Kilbride: Martin, Sinnamon, Coll, Reid (c), Brownlie, Cairns, Winter (Carmichael 55), Holmes (Stevenson 70), Paton (Kavanagh 64), Brady, Woods
Subs Not Used: Kean, E. MacPherson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks
Assistant Referee: David Dunne

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Jim Goodwin reflects on a frustrating afternoon as Saints are held by Lowland League side East Kilbride in the Betfred Cup.

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Josh Heaton.

Josh joined the club last summer from English side Darlington and made two appearances for Saints.

The club would like to wish Josh all the best for his future career. 

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 20th July, St Mirren make the short journey through to East Kilbride to face Stuart Malcolm's East Kilbride side in a Betfred Cup group match at the K-Park Training Academy.

St Mirren's ticket allocation for this match is now SOLD OUT.

The referee tomorrow is Colin Steven and he will be assisted by Michael Banks and David Dunne.

Renfrewshire’s award-winning Street Stuff programme has served almost 1000 healthy meals to young people already this summer – with three weeks of the school holidays still to go.

The programme has been holding summer clubs every weekday afternoon throughout the summer at venues across Renfrewshire, with every young person who attends receiving a free meal to go along with the activities.

Football, gaming and the Street Stuff Youth Bus have been entertaining the young people as they make new friends, get active and count down the days until they’re back to school.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: "Our Street Stuff programme is only becoming more and more popular and I was delighted to visit the Airdome to meet the young people taking part.

"It’s important for many young people to have a place to go during the holidays where they can feel safe, but also where they are given a healthy meal to keep them going as this can be extremely important during the holiday period.

"The programme supports families across Renfrewshire by giving young people the chance to stay active and make new friends so send them along this summer – you’ll have a hard time stopping them coming back once you do."

Activities are available at venues across the area including the St Mirren FC Airdome, Knockhill Park, Gleniffer High and Our Lady of Peace Primary.

Any young person aged 8 and over is welcome to take part in as many sessions as they would like to attend.

Street Stuff Manager, Stevie Gallacher said: "It’s fantastic to see so many young people taking part in our activities during the summer holidays and we’re delighted to have them.

"Our coaches and volunteers are doing a fantastic job of keeping them entertained, while also being there to listen to any problems they’re having and supporting them as best they can.

"We’re only halfway through so I can’t wait to welcome even more to our activities across Renfrewshire and I’d encourage anyone to come along as often as they like for the rest of the holidays – and don’t forget our regular evening programme is still on too!"

The summer clubs will continue every weekday at various venues until the final session at Gleniffer High on Friday 9 August.

For more information, and to download a consent form, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/summerclubs.

Jim Goodwin picked up his first win as St Mirren manager as Saints overcame stuffy Edinburgh City thanks to Oan Djorkaeff's late penalty.

After a fairly quiet opening 70 minutes Saints upped the ante in the final 20 and made the breakthrough when Frenchman Djorkaeff netted from 12 yards after Paul McGinn had been fouled inside the penalty box in 89 minutes.

The win moved Saints into second in Group H ahead of Saturday's trip to K-Park to face East Kilbride. 

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that lost to Dunfermline on Sunday with Cameron MacPherson and Oan Djorkaeff in for Ethan Erhahon and Danny Mullen.

Cody Cooke led the line for Saints and it was the Englishman who had the first opportunity of the match on 13 minutes with an audacious overhead kick at the far post that went wide.

Just under 10 minutes later Gary MacKenzie headed into the arms of Edinburgh City goalkeeper Callum Antell following Tony Andreu's corner. City broke forward at speed with Josh Walker finding himself in on goal. The Citizens skipper attempted to chip Vaclav Hladky but the goalkeeper was equal to the attempt. 

Hladky was forced into another save just before the half-hour mark when MacKenzie slipped allowing the visitors a chance to run through on goal. Scott Shepherd fed the ball to Alex Harris on the edge of the area but his low curling effort was held by the Czech goalkeeper.

Jim Goodwin made two changes after 60 minutes in an attempt to find the opener with Ethan Erhahon and Danny Mullen coming on in place of Kyle Magennis and Tony Andreu. 

The substitutes looked to have combined to give Saints the lead on 70 minutes when Mullen cheekily flicked Erhahon's ball across the box beyond Antell only for the linesman to rule it out for offside. 

That did seem to spur the home side on with Cooke and Ryan Flynn both going close soon after. Cooke met a MacPherson cross first time with Antell doing well to block before the goalkeeper made a terrific save to push away Flynn's long-range volley. 

While the home side were looking the more likely there was a scare for the Saints defence when substitute Allan Smith brilliantly brought down a ball over the top and got his shot away. However, the effort drifted wide.

Mullen had two big chances in the last 10 minutes to win the game for the Buddies. He first broke the offside trap to get a foot on a deflected Flynn effort. The Edinburgh defence stopped assuming the linesman's flag would be forthcoming. But it wasn't raised and the striker's touch was blocked by the goalkeeper. A few minutes later Paul McGinn did well to keep the ball in play at the touchline and sent it across the box to Mullen who flicked wide from close range.

St Mirren kept coming and it was Paul McGinn's determination to reach the ball ahead of an Edinburgh City defender that won the Buddies a penalty. The City defender tried to see the ball out but McGinn managed to get in front with the away stopper swinging a high foot and catching the full-back on the face. Referee Greg Aitken pointed to the spot and Djorkaeff, on his first start for the Buddies, stepped up to take and confidently dispatched of the ball sending Antell the wrong way and securing three Group H points for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Edinburgh City 

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, Baird, MacKenzie, P.McGinn, Magennis (Erhahon 62), Flynn, S.McGinn (c), Djorkaeff, Andreu (Mullen 65), Cooke (Breadner 90)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Kellermann, Jamie Walker, Glover

Edinburgh City: Antell, Thomson, McIntyre, Balatoni, Laird, Josh Walker, Sinclair (Smith 73), Crane, Shepherd (Handling 74), Henderson, Harris
Subs Not Used: Watson, Adamson, Shaw, Kennedy, Lumsden

Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gary Logan

Attendance: 1,235

Saints manager Jim Goodwin gives his reaction after he picked up his first win as St Mirren manager as Oan Djorkaeff's late penalty secured a 1-0 win over Edinburgh City in the Betfred Cup.