St Mirren have been drawn to face Alloa Athletic in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. 

The Buddies will face Jim Goodwin's Wasps side at the Simple Digital Arena on the weekend of 19th/20th January 2019.

Ticket arrangements will be announced in due course.

Saints ended the long wait for a victory this afternoon with a fine display against Hearts in Paisley.

Adam Hammill was the hero as he bagged both goals early in the second half, the first probably finishing the country's goal of the season competitions before we've even reached the end of November as the winger found the net from 45 yards.

In doing so, it gave Oran Kearney his first win as Buddies boss.

Danny Rogers had little to do on his first league start for the club following the departure of Craig Samson. Skipper Stephen McGinn returned in place of Ryan Edwards, who was unable to play against his parent club, with Jack Baird replacing the injured Anton Ferdinand at the back. Hearts made one change to the team that lost to Kilmarnock a fortnight ago with Sean Clare starting in place of Olly Lee.

Kyle Magennis headed Hammill's early free-kick straight at Zdenek Zlamal before Hearts should have taken the lead, the unmarked Steven MacLean somehow shooting wide after Craig Wighton had helped Michael Smith's cross on to the former St Johnstone man. Anyone hoping that was a sign of things to come would be sadly mistaken with chances few and far between for both teams. Hammill did show some attacking intent at times for the Buddies, slipping the ball through for Paul McGinn only for Jimmy Dunne to get back and clear the danger.

A few crosses into the Saints box caused some momentary scares for the Buddies before they went desperately close to taking the lead, Kyle Magennis beating Clevid Dikamona to a loose ball only to see his tremendous shot hit the bar. After being booked for a foul on Michael Smith, the young midfielder was then in the right place at the other end as he nodded away Dunne's goal-bound header. Just before the break Stephen McGinn had a great chance to put Saints in front as he took advantage of Dunne's dithering but Zlamal was equal to the shot.

If the first half had been short on thrills, the second was anything but as Saints took the lead in spectacular style. As the Buddies tried to play the ball forward, it sat up nicely for Hammill and he let rip from 45 yards, the ball sailing over the head of Zlamal for a spectacular opening goal that nearly lifted the roof off the Simple Digital Arena.

But the winger wasn't done there. After resisting some Hearts pressure, Saints went back on the attack, Magennis heading the ball over Smith before crossing for Paul McGinn. The ball bounced off the fullback but fell perfectly for Hammill, who curled it beyond the reach of Zlamal into the bottom corner.

Hearts thought they'd reduced the deficit when Peter Haring sent a thumping header from sub Olly Lee's free-kick past Rogers, however the flag was up for offside. The same combination threatened again from a corner but this time Haring could only head over before Hammill went close to his hat-trick, getting the better of the Hearts defence only to lob tamely into the arms of Zlamal.

Although Hearts continued to push they created little of note and Saints could have wrapped things up late on when Paul McGinn looped a shot towards goal only for Zlamal to tip it over at the last moment. It would have made the final 10 minutes or so a little easier but there was no need to worry as Kearney's men saw things out for a much-needed win.

Full Time: St Mirren 2-0 Hearts

St Mirren: Rogers, P. McGinn, Baird, Jones, Erhahon, Hodson, S.McGinn, Magennis, McShane, Hammill (Smith 71), Jackson (Mullen 84)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Eckersley, MacPherson, Willock, Cooke

Hearts: Zlamal, Smith, Dunne, Haring, Clare (Lee 54), Djoum, Wighton (Mulraney 45), Garuccio (Mitchell 62), Maclean, Dikamona, Morrison
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Bozanic, Lee, Mitchell, Cochrane, Mulraney, Godinho

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Craig Napier

Attendance: 5,727

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography and John Millar - Millar Pictures

Oran Kearney gives his reaction to St Mirren's 2-0 win over Hearts at the Simple Digital Arena this afternoon.

The manager discusses getting his first win as Saints boss, how he feels for the players, that Adam Hammill goal and also reserves praise for the fans.

St Mirren are back in action following the international break with Craig Levein's Hearts the visitors to the Simple Digital Arena.

FORM

Saints come in to today's match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park two weeks ago. 

It was the second point the Buddies have picked up since Oran Kearney's appointment as manager in September.

Simeon Jackson gave St Mirren the lead on 20 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot. But Dundee levelled through Kenny Miller 14 minutes later.

Saints had chances to win the match late on but had to settle for a point that keeps us in 11th above Dundee. 

Today's visitors Hearts had been sitting pretty at the top of the league for a number of weeks, but three games without a win saw the Jam Tarts drop to second. 

A 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle before the international break came off the back of a 5-0 loss to Celtic at Celtic Park and a 0-0 draw with Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby.

The Jambos' last win came just over a month ago when they defeated Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park.

PREVIOUS

The Buddies have already faced Hearts this season - losing 4-1 to the Jambos at Tynecastle in September. 

Steven Naismith gave the home side an early lead before good work from Cammy Smith brought about an own goal to get Saints level.

Olly Lee put Hearts back in front on the half hour mark and two quick-fire goals just before half-time saw Naismith complete his hat-trick.

This is the first match between the two at the Simple Digital Arena since a 1-1 draw on the final day of the 2013/14 season. Connor Newton gave Saints a first half lead, but Dale Carrick equalised for the visitors early in the second half.

St Mirren are unbeaten at home against Hearts in our last four matches. The 2012/13 season saw Saints win both home matches against the Jambos 2-0. The following season saw both matches end 1-1.

Hearts' last victory in Paisley was in a 2012 Scottish Cup replay where goals from Jamie Hamill and Rudi Skacel saw the Jam Tarts progress.

WHAT A WIN WOULD MEAN

Saints could close the gap on 10th place Hamilton to two points with a win - providing Hamilton lose to Celtic in this afternoon's early kick-off. 

Should Hamilton take anything from today's match against Celtic, Hearts could return to the top of the league with a win over Saints.

TEAM NEWS

Ryan Edwards is unavailable for St Mirren tomorrow with Hearts his parent club. 

Danny Rogers and Dean Lyness will fight it out for the number one jersey following Craig Samson's retirement. 

Gary MacKenzie remains out. 

Hearts are still without Steven Naismith, Uche Ikpeazu, Christophe Berra and John Souttar.

St Mirren's home match against Hibernian on Saturday 26th January has been rescheduled after being selected for live coverage on Sky Sports.

The match will now take place on Sunday 27th January with a 1:30pm kick-off.

The full details for the rescheduled fixture are as follows:

St Mirren v Hibernian
Ladbrokes Premiership
Simple Digital Arena, Paisley
Sunday 27th January 2019
Live on Sky Sports, 1:30pm kick-off

Our match day programme, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, will be available from the Club Shop ahead of Saturday’s game.

This issue, for the Ladbrokes Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian, is a 52 pager with a £3 cover price.

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Kyle Magennis.
The Gaffer - Oran Kearney looks back at the recent games against Rangers and Dundee and ahead to the match against Hearts.
Last Time Out – A look back at the recent Premiership match away to Dundee.
The Opposition – Brian Corry has a look over Craig Levein's Hearts side.
Matchday Announcements - Bulletin Board of info, dates and events in the world of St Mirren.
St Mirren Greats – David Cochran looks back on the St Mirren career of cup winning captain, Willie Kelly.
Matchday Gallery - Pictures from the post match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home match against Rangers.
Action Shot & Q&A (Centre Pages) – Defender Lee Hodson. Lee also gives answers to our quick-fire questionnaire.
Player Kit Sponsors 2018/19 – Check in to see who is sponsoring your favourite player's shirt for the season.
Fans Corner - Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Premiership Round-Up - A rundown on weeks 11, 12 and 13 of the Ladbrokes Premiership season.
Street Stuff - News on Street Stuff's involvement in the GoFitba project.
Paisley Panda's Fun Corner – Some puzzles to keep the youngsters entertained during the half-time break.
Football Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher looks at the issue of football players selecting nationality for international recognition.
Marketing Matters – Campbell Kennedy updates on the latest events and happenings at the club's Commercial Department.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2018/19 – 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 2018/19 season click HERE.

If you live outside the UK & Ireland, St Mirren TV is your way to watch Paisley’s Premiership club live in action each and every home match day.

This service, which is delivered by media students from the University of the West of Scotland, will cover all of St Mirren’s home games.

As usual the St Mirren TV team will be presenting all the action from the Simple Digital Arena when Hearts are the visitors for Saturday afternoon's Ladbrokes Premiership fixture.

If you want to tune in here is the info you will need:

St Mirren vs Hearts
Ladbrokes Premiership
Venue: The Simple Digital Arena, Paisley
Date: Saturday 24th November 2018
Kick-off: 3:00pm GMT

To access this match day service:

1 Day Pass – €6.99 EUR
Season Pass – €69.99 EUR

To view Terms & Conditions and get started with St Mirren TV please click HERE.

For technical support with St Mirren TV please e-mail tvsupport@stmirren.com

St Mirren in the Community are delighted to confirm that the SMFC Fans Council Panda Club will be open to young Buddies on Saturday afternoon for the Ladbrokes Premiership fixture against Hearts at the Simple Digital Arena.

The Panda Club will open at 1:00pm on Saturday. Parents please note that you should pick up your kids after the final whistle from the community office at 5:00pm.

Participants can look forward to pre-match football activities delivered by qualified St Mirren FC coaches inside the Airdome.

The Panda Club is open to boys and girls aged 5 to 12 years olds and costs £3 per child for the coaching session, the match ticket is provided FREE OF CHARGE.

For further information about the SMFC Fans Council Panda Club or to book your place at the next Panda Club match day please contact Ross Paterson by email at ross.paterson@stmirren.com. 

SMFC Fans Council Panda Club details for Saturday’s game are as follows:

St Mirren vs Hearts
Saturday 24th November 2018
1:00pm – 5:00pm

To find out more about the Panda Club click here

Come along to the Simple Digital Arena tomorrow afternoon and join in with the Matchday Experience which kicks-off at 1:45pm in and around the Family Stand.

Building on the successful initiatives that have seen St Mirren win the accolade of Most Family Friendly Ground in the Scottish Supporters Association Fan Awards, the Club's SLO and Paisley Panda with support from SMiSA and the SMFC Fans' Council present a range of activities to improve the matchday experience for families and all younger Buddies.

Although all the activities will be taking place behind the Family Stand they are available to all fans regardless of what stand you are sitting in for the match. Hearts fans are also more than welcome to join in the fun behind the family stand

Some of the activities lined up for tomorrow are as follows:

* Face painting.

* Balloon modelling.

* Live music with a busker!

* Paisley Panda giving out free sweets courtesy of Black and White Army.

* Meet Paisley Panda!

So come along early and get involved in the fun activities before getting ready to back the Buddies in the Ladbrokes Premiership match against Hearts. #BackTheBuds

Paisley Panda is pleased to confirm that ‘First Scorer’ will be back for the game on Saturday against Hearts.

‘First Scorer’ lets fans predict in advance of the game who they think will score St Mirren's first goal in Saturday’s match against the Jambos.

From all of those who guessed correctly, a winner will be picked at random and they will win a box of a dozen doughnuts which will be delivered to their seat right after the goal is scored!

To enter all you have to do ahead of the game is post your prediction of the first St Mirren scorer on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Saints1stgoal. The lucky winner will then be contacted to confirm which stand they will be in with the row and seat number so that the prize can be delivered to them.