Saints gaffer Oran Kearney reflects on a bitterly disappointing afternoon for St Mirren as the Buddies are beaten away to Livingston.

St Mirren fell to a disappointing defeat at the Tony Macaroni Arena this afternoon.

The Buddies took a first half lead throw Alfie Jones, but a poor second half performance saw goals from Scott Pittman, Ryan Hardie and Craig Sibbald give Livingston all three points.

It was a scrappy first half with neither side creating much in the opening stages bar Steven Lawless sending a powerful effort over on two minutes.

Saints were dealt a blow on 10 minutes when Paul McGinn had to be substituted following a clash of heads at a corner kick, though it doesn't look like it will rule the full-back out of action going forward.

Livingston's defenders combined to give the Lions the best real opportunity of the game so far when a long throw from Alan Lithgow was hooked wide by Declan Gallagher on 25 minutes.

However, it was a St Mirren defender who would open the scoring as Alfie Jones popped up on 36 minutes to grab his first goal for the Buddies. Loanee Ryan Edwards was blocked on the right wing which saw referee Andrew Dallas award Saints a free kick. Adam Hammill flung the ball into the box where it met the head of Alfie Jones who guided home to put St Mirren in front.

Saints seemed buoyed by the goal, but only had a deflected Hammill strike from the edge of the box which was gathered routinely by Liam Kelly to show for it.

Any hopes of carrying that momentum into the second half were extinguished pretty soon after the break. Gallagher drove forward for the home side and played the ball into Scott Pittman who slid the ball low past Danny Rogers to level the scores just five minutes into the second half. 

The Buddies did try to lift themselves and could have been back in front if it wasn't for Kelly pushing away a low Hammill free kick from 25 yards out a few minutes after the equaliser.

In truth though it was the home side who were on top with Keaghan Jacobs not too far away with a long range strike on the hour mark. 

But just four minutes later Livi would find themselves ahead. The Buddies couldn't clear their lines after a blocked Pittman shot found its way back into the Saints box. It fell invitingly for Ryan Hardie who didn't need to think twice as he slammed the ball into the net from just a few yards out.

Frustratingly, it was still the home side who looked the more threatening after their second goal and they nearly added a third on 70 minutes when Gallagher's header looked like it would loop in only for the ball to crash off the bar.

While Saints were treated to an Adam Hammill wonder-goal from his own half on Wednesday night against Hibernian, the Buddies were almost on the receiving end when a slack clearance from Rogers was gathered by Jacobs who tried to catch out the on-loan goalkeeper from the half-way line. The Livi midfielder wasn't all that far away as it just sailed over.

The home side wrapped up the three points with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Rogers couldn't gather Pittman's effort which allowed substitute Craig Sibbald to tap home into the empty net.

Full Time: Livingston 3-1 St Mirren.

St Mirren: Rogers, P.McGinn (Willock 10), Baird, Ferdinand (Smith 71), Jones, Erhahon, Hodson, S.McGinn, Edwards, Hammill, Jackson
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, Eckersley, Willock, McShane, Breadner, Smith

Livingston: Kelly, Lithgow, Gallagher, Halkett, Lamie (McMillan 45), Jacobs, Byrne, Pittman, Lawless, Menga (Sibbald 75), Hardie (Hamilton 68)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Sibbald, Cadden, Burns, Hamilton, Lawson

Referee: Andrew Dallas 
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Fourth Official: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 1,727

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren are on the road again tomorrow afternoon when they head to the Tony Macaroni Arena to face Livingston for the second time this season.

FORM

After the loss to Hamilton last weekend St Mirren got back on to the plus point tally with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

The draw in Edinburgh sees Saints with just one loss in their last four league outings thanks to a win against Hearts in Paisley and draws on the road against Dundee and Hibs.

Wednesday's match at Easter Road saw Saints take the lead twice. The first came in 6 minutes when Adam Hammill netted from 55 yards as he launched his shot from just inside the St Mirren half that flew over the top of the Hibs keeper on its way to the back of the net. The home side pulled level early in the second half through Olly Shaw but Paul McGinn gave Saints back the lead when he headed home a cross from Hammill. Unfortunately the Buddies let the lead slip again when Ryan Porteous netted for Hibs.

Livingston go into tomorrow's game on the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Kilmarnock this past midweek.

The Livi Lions got off to a great start this season that saw them sit in the top six towards the end of October. But their form has got a bit indifferent since then with one win in their last six outings including defeats against St Johnstone (0-1), Hamilton (0-1), Rangers (0-3) and Kilmarnock (0-2) on Wednesday. They did win last weekend thanks to goals from Steve Lawless and Craig Halkett against Motherwell.

PREVIOUS

Tomorrow will be the first meeting between the sides at the Tony Macaroni Arena since last season when Saints went down 4-1, but they did meet earlier this season in Paisley when goals from Jack Hamilton and Alan Lithgow were enough to earn Livi the points.

Last season the four league games between the two sides who were promoted from the Championship saw Saints win twice, Livi once and a no-scoring draw that saw Saints earn the point they needed to lift the Championship trophy.

Over the years the home side in this fixture hasn't normally faired too well and while both Saints and Livi bucked that trend last season, the West Lothian side got it back on track with their win at the Simple Digital Arena on 25th August, Saints will no doubt be looking to reciprocate tomorrow.

WHAT A WIN WOULD MEAN

St Mirren are looking for a first away win of the season.

Saints will be hoping to earn the three points as Hamilton face Hibs on Saturday and Dundee face Rangers on Sunday.

A win for Livi could fire them back into the top six as the two teams above them - Aberdeen (2 points ahead) and St Johnstone (3 points ahead) go face to face at Pittodrie tomorrow.

St Mirren travel to West Lothian tomorrow to face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Supporters will be able to pay-at-the-gate tomorrow.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

The referee on Saturday is Andrew Dallas and he will be assisted by Frank Connor and Dougie Potter. The Fourth Official will be Grant Irvine. 

Please note that the Stadium, Ticket Office and Club Shop will close tomorrow (Friday 7th December) at 1pm. 

St Mirren picked up a valuable point at Easter Road as the Buddies battled out a 2-2 draw with Hibernian.  

Saints led twice thanks to goals from Adam Hammill and Paul McGinn, but had to settle for a point as Hibs hit back twice with goals from Oli Shaw and Ryan Porteous. 

The Buddies started brightly with a nice bit of skill from Hammill on the left playing in Ethan Erhahon on the overlap. The 17 year-old's ball across was headed out only as far as Stephen McGinn, but the skipper didn't catch it well enough as it flew out for a throw-in. 

A few moments later Danny Mullen showed good desire to out-jump Efe Ambrose to reach a cross into the box but headed wide. 

Saints were soon to be rewarded for their positive start with Adam Hammill doing what Adam Hammill seems to do.

Just as he did against Hibs' Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts less than two weeks ago, Hammill picked the ball up in his own half. He looked up to see Adam Bogdan off his line and let fly from 55 yards with the ball sailing over the helpless Hibee to give Saints the lead.

The hosts starting coming into the game more as the half wore on with ex-Saint Stevie Mallan going on a nice solo run before sticking an effort harmlessly wide on 25 minutes. 

A couple of minutes later Danny Rogers made an excellent stop to deny a Lewis Stevenson drive from the edge of the box. 

Oli Shaw had two good opportunities as time ticked away in the first half. The first saw the striker head wide from 

Hibs found themselves level on 56 minutes as Shaw fired home from close range. Saints were left incensed as Kyle Magennis had pulled up with an injury. But with the teenager having rolled off the pitch Hibs took their throw-in to Boyle who charged down the right wing before sending it low to Shaw who knocked beyond Rogers from just a few yards out.

But a little more than 10 minutes later Saints were back in front.

Hammill was felled on the left hand side and won a free kick. The Englishman got up to whip the ball into the box where it met the head of Paul McGinn who nodded home for his first St Mirren goal. 

Hibs were level for a second time five minutes later. Mallan sent a corner into a dangerous area where it met defender Ryan Porteous who headed in to make it 2-2. 

As time ticked away it was Saints who looked the more likely to grab all three points.

A quick counter in injury time saw Ryan Edwards pick out Hammill on the left but the winger just couldn't find the pace to burst into the clear and the Hibs defence managed to clear. 

Full Time: Hibernian 2-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Rogers, P.McGinn, Ferdinand, Jones, Hodson, Erhahon, S.McGinn, Magennis (Willock 58), Edwards, Hammill, Mullen (Smith 17, Baird 81)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Eckersley, McShane, MacPherson

Hibernian: Bogdan, Mavrias, Ambrose, Porteous, Stevenson, Horgan (Maclaren 87), Bartley (Milligan 49), Mallan, Boyle, Kamberi (Slivka 54), Shaw
Subs Not Used: Marciano, Nelom, McGregor, Gullan

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Gavin Ross

Attendance: 15,096

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney gives his thoughts on Saints' 2-2 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road.

St Mirren travel to Easter Road tonight to face Hibernian for the second time this season. 

FORM

It's been a mixed bag for Saints over the last three games with one win, one draw and one defeat. 

After a fine 2-0 win over Hibernian's Edinburgh rivals Hearts a little over a week ago, Saints were beaten 3-1 at home against Hamilton on Saturday.

Those two results came after a 1-1 draw away to bottom side Dundee at Dens Park before the international break. 

St Mirren had a chance to overtake Hamilton Accies in 10th place on Saturday with a win, but Martin Canning's side came away with the points thanks to goals from Dougie Imrie, Ziggy Gordon and James Keatings. Stephen McGinn scored for the Buddies just before half-time, but it wasn't enough to help Saints take anything from the game. 

Hibernian, meanwhile, come into tonight's match looking for their first win since the start of October. 

Since a 6-0 win over Hamilton at Easter Road at the beginning on October, Neil Lennon's side have failed to win in six matches. 

Four defeats have come at the hands of Kilmarnock (3-0), Aberdeen (1-0), St Johnstone (1-0) and Celtic (4-2), while they've drawn twice - away to Hearts (0-0) and at home to Dundee (2-2).

PREVIOUS

This is St Mirren's first trip to Easter Road since that all important day on May 6th 2017. A 1-1 draw saw the Buddies complete a remarkable escape from relegation to League One. 

After sitting nine points adrift at the bottom of the Championship in January, Saints' point at Easter Road that afternoon in May was enough to round off an incredible recovery. Less than a year later the Buddies would be promoted to the Premiership.

The Buddies have already faced Hibernian this season - hosting the Hibees at the Simple Digital Arena in September. 

David Gray's 14th minute header gave the Edinburgh side the points in a 1-0 win. 

Saints' last win over Hibs came in March 2017 when a Stelios Demetriou double gave the Buddies an all important 2-0 win in Paisley.

WHAT A WIN WOULD MEAN

St Mirren are looking for a first away win of the season. 

Saints will be hoping for three points on a night when bottom side Dundee host Hamilton at Dens Park.

A win for Hibernian could propel Neil Lennon's side back into the top six depending on results for Aberdeen and Livingston. 

TEAM NEWS

Long-term absentee Gary MacKenzie remains out, while the manager told press yesterday that Cody Cooke suffered a knock at the weekend.

Simeon Jackson is suspended following his red card against Hamilton.

St Mirren in the Community is delighted to announce details of its annual festive football programme – Jingle Balls – the perfect stocking filler for all budding young footballers!

The programme will run at the club’s exclusive indoor airdome, at the Simple Digital Arena, on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th December and Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th January. It consists of fun & dynamic warm ups, skill practices, small sided games and tricks & flicks, all under the watchful eye of the club’s community and youth academy coaches.

Girls and boys aged three to five years old can enjoy action packed mornings from 9:00am to 12:00pm (£7.50 per day) and six to 12-year olds can train and play like a pro from 9:00am to 3:00pm (outwith Thursday 27th) (£15.00 per day).

Participants are required to bring with them suitable indoor clothing and footwear (no metal studs or blades), shin guards and goalkeeper gloves (if appropriate) in addition to a light healthy snack and plenty of water/non-fizzy drinks.

Places are limited, and bookings can be made by downloading and completing the application form attached and returning to Community Football Manager, Ross Paterson, at The Simple Digital Arena. Please note that payment must be made in full at the time of booking to confirm places.

For further information about Jingle Balls and St Mirren in the Community, please contact Ross Paterson at ross.paterson@stmirren.com

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation in conjunction with SPFL Trust and Salvation Army are delighted to announce they will be hosting a 'Festive Friends' event within the Simple Digital Arena on Christmas Day.

Festive Friends is a wonderful community program created to accommodate elderly people, and those in need, who will be isolated and alone on Christmas Day.

The event has been very positively received by other partner organisations within Renfrewshire such as RAMH, Active Communities, Shelter, ROAR, Renfrewshire Foodbank and Star Project who are all keen to nominate men & women they feel will greatly benefit from experiencing the day.

Our good friends at the Salvation Army have kindly offered to partner on the day and provide the wonderful hearty festive meal for all of our special guests and the great team at SPFL Trust have agreed to award funding towards some of the costings.

This very fun-filled Christmas Day will commence at 12noon where all of our senior Buddies will be shown into the 1877 Supporters Club.

We will have live music, games & entertainment, some special legends dropping by to share funny stories and great memories of St Mirren’s history, the provision of a delicious three course Christmas dinner from the Salvation army and a visit from Father Christmas and the elves to provide a small festive gift.

The Salvation Army and all of St Mirren FC Women’s Team have kindly offered to volunteer on the day as we will require helpers in the lounge and more importantly volunteer drivers to ensure the safe pick up and drop home of our Festive Friends.

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation wish to invite all of the fans, local community, business partners and friends to nominate individuals they wish to attend the event and nominations are now open, simply email gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com to enter.

To add to the magic and ensure the success of the day we will require small Christmas gifts to be donated and also additional funds to be raised. The more funds we raise and the more gifts we receive the more nominations we can accept.

Should you wish to donate a gift please email gayle.brannigan@stmirren.com and to make a Festive Friends financial donation please use our JustGiving page.

Thank you for all of your support.