Jack Ross gives his reaction as Saints move to within a point of the Ladbrokes Championship title.

Kyle Magennis' first half goal saw The Buddies win 1-0 away to Brechin and need only one point from the remaining five matches to secure promotion and a return to the Ladbrokes Premiership.

St Mirren are just a point away from clinching the Ladbrokes Championship after a hard-fought win away to basement side Brechin City.

It had looked like it may have been Saints day with Livingston being held by Morton heading into the last 10 minutes. But a late Alan Lithgow goal for Livi delayed the celebrations, with Jack Ross now able to secure the title on Tuesday night when they head to Tannadice to face Dundee United.

The Buddies got off to a bright start threatening the hosts inside the first minute. Lewis Morgan gave Brechin's Graeme Smith something to think about with a long-range effort on five minutes but the goalkeeper gathered on the second attempt. 

It took Saints just seven minutes to make the breakthrough though with Kyle Magennis opening the scoring for the Buddies. The 19 year-old showed good pace and strength to break away from Callum Tapping to meet an Adam Eckersley throw-in. He took one touch with his left foot to move it on to his right before unleashing a powerful drive that flew past Graeme Smith into the far right corner.

Saints were doing there bit and were boosted by the news that Morton had taken the lead over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. 

The game hit a bit of a lull with neither side managed to conjure up any real opportunities. That changed on 28 minutes when Brechin's Jordan Sinclair cracked the cross bar from distance.

The Buddies weren't far away from doubling their lead on three occasions before the interval. The first seeing Morgan curl a free kick just by the left post after he was fouled, before Harry Davis' header from a Magennis free kick was blocked by Smith. Finally, Davis was on the end of a corner but the crowded box denied Saints the opportunity to poke the ball into the net from the following stramash.

Half Time: Brechin City 0-1 St Mirren

Brechin took kick-off in the second half and looked to threaten early on with Sinclair having a shot blocked from the edge of the box and Finn Graham having a go from distance, though it was easily gathered by Samson.

Gary MacKenzie recovered well to make a good block to deny Isaac Layne the chance to go one-on-one with Samson on 56 minutes and from there Saints seemed to kick on as they created a number of chances in the minutes that followed. Danny Mullen's ball across the box met the sliding in Cammy Smith whose effort came off the side netting. A minute later Mullen was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet after beating Graeme Smith with a chip only for Euan Smith to clear off the line. Brechin keeper Graeme Smith then did well to save a shot from Morgan as Saints tried to wrap up the three points.

Morgan went close late on for Saints with an effort that went just by the post while Dylan Mackin saw a shot pushed away by Craig Samson up the other end.

With Livingston sealing a late win against Morton, it meant this afternoon wasn't the day Saints officially sealed the title and promotion back to the Ladbrokes Premiership. But things are in the Buddies' hands come Tuesday as they know that if they take anything against Dundee United at Tannadice, they will be crowned Champions.

Full Time: Brechin City 0-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Davis, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis, McGinn, Flynn, C.Smith (Reilly 68), Morgan, Mullen (McShane 77)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Baird, Stelios, McShane, Hippolyte, Sutton, Reilly

Brechin City: G. Smith, Dyer, Fusco (Lynas 50), Dale, Tapping, Graham (Morrison 75), Layne, Spark, Orsi, Sinclair (Mackin 62), E.Smith
Subs Not Used: O'Neill, Watt, Mackin, Costello

Referee: David Munro
Assistant Referee: Anthony Cooper
Assistant Referee: Will Smith

Attendance: 2447

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography.

St Mirren could be crowned Ladbrokes Championship winners tomorrow when they travel to Brechin City. 

The Buddies would win the title and be promoted to the Ladbrokes Premiership if they beat Brechin City and Livingston fail to take all three points from play-off chasing Morton. 

It's a mark of the incredible job Jack Ross has done at Saints since taking over in October 2016. 

However, beating Brechin tomorrow is no foregone conclusion despite the Angus side already having been relegated on top of failing to register a single league win this season. Saints have beaten City each time on the three occasions the two have faced off this season, but it's only been by a single goal each time. 

The first came in September at the Paisley 2021 Stadium when a 2-1 win for The Buddies saw them move to the top of the league. Cammy Smith opened the scoring early on only for ex-St Mirren U20s striker Kalvin Orsi to equalise before half-time. It was a frustrating afternoon for Saints who looked like they may have to settle for just a point. But with 12 minutes remaining, Dale Hilson forced the ball over the line to give St Mirren a 2-1 win.

It was the same scoreline when Jack Ross' side made their first trip to Brechin a few weeks before Christmas. Again, Saints took a first half lead - this time through Gavin Reilly - but were pegged back seven minutes later when Isaac Layne slotted home beyond Craig Samson. St Mirren would seal all three points though when Cammy Smith scored from the penalty spot on 64 minutes after being fouled by Graeme Smith. 

The last meeting between the two came in February when Kyle Magennis' 15th minute free kick was the difference. The Buddies had numerous chances throughout the first half to make it more comfortable, but failed to make any count and almost conceded when Liam Watt struck the post. 

Whether tomorrow will be the day for Saints or not there will be a large crowd following the team with more than 2000 Buddies travelling to Glebe Park. With the end in sight the Saints players will be desperate to put on a show, while Brechin will hope to upset the odds and claim their first win of the season. 

Once again we are giving St Mirren fans the chance to ‘live the dream’ while helping out the Youth Development Programme at the same time.

Two teams – one home and one away – made up of St Mirren fans will kick-off our annual fixture that will be played on the pitch at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Sunday 22nd April with a 12pm kick off. 

There will be two teams with 15 players per team (1-11 and four substitutes).  Each shirt will be available to bid on in a blind auction with all proceeds going to the St Mirren Youth Development Programme. Jack Ross and James Fowler will manage the sides as they did last year and guest players will be announced nearer the time.

Come and be part of this exciting day which will include:-

* The St Mirren Match Day Experience – Playing the game on the pitch at the Paisley 2021 stadium.

* Wearing an official team strip that you will also get to keep after the game.

* Medal presentation to all players from a special guest.

* Food and refreshments post match.

The rules are as follows: 

*Bidding for all shirts will close at 3pm on Wednesday, April 18th. 

*You must be 18 years of age or over to both bid and take part in 'Saint for a Day'. 

*By bidding on the auction you are declaring that you (or the person you are bidding for) are fit and well to take part in the event. 

*In the instance of getting two identical bids for the same shirt number in the same team, the email that has the earliest date and time stamp will be accepted as the leading bidder. 

*Payment must be made immediately if you have been the successful bidder.

*Payment not made by match day will see shirts given to other bidders.

To have a chance to take part on the day please send your blind auction bid by e-mail to claire.coventry@stmirren.com (Minimum bid is £100).

In the e-mail you must state which team you are bidding to play in (home or away) and which shirt number for that team you are bidding on. Good Luck!!

* There will be a charge of £2 for each additional child of school age in the family party at the parent & child gate.

Please note that our allocation of tickets for this match is now SOLD OUT. The Club has been advised that there will be a limited cash gate on the day of the game at Glebe Park, but we cannot guarantee entry to everyone who will travel through without a ticket.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 7th April, St Mirren head north-east to face Brechin City in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at Glebe Park.

The referee tomorrow is David Munro and he will be assisted by Anthony Cooper and Will Smith.

Please note that the St Mirren Ticket Office will open between 5pm and 7pm tomorrow (Thursday 5th April) to cope with demand for upcoming matches.

Supporters will be able to purchase tickets for matches against Brechin City (A), Dundee United (A), Livingston (H), Falkirk (H) and Morton (H) matches subject to availability. 

Opening Hours

The St Mirren Ticket Office opening hours for the rest of the week are as follows:

Thu, Apr 5th – 10:00am - 2:00pm and 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Fri, Apr 6th – 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sat, Apr 7th – CLOSED
Sun, Apr 8th – CLOSED

The two buses that the club are running to Brechin on Saturday 7th April are now SOLD OUT.

They went on sale earlier this morning, but all seats have now been taken. 

St Mirren could win the Ladbrokes Championship this Saturday when we travel to face Brechin City at Glebe Park - if results go our way.

Due to demand, Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy is running buses that will leave the Paisley 2021 Stadium at 12noon to travel to Brechin.

Anyone who books a place on the buses will get access to the bar in the Westmarch Suite which will open from 10:30am. 

Tickets for this are now SOLD OUT!!

St Mirren creeped another point closer towards claiming promotion to the Premiership on Saturday, as they drew with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Although The Buddies gained another point towards their end of season target, there was a sense of disappointment in the camp, as the team were leading 2-0 with 12 minutes left to play. But goals from Gary Warren and Liam Polworth pulled the Highland team level.

Speaking to Buddievision, Harry Davis revealed how the team are remaining positive at securing another point, despite feeling frustrated at losing a two goal lead so late in the game.

He said: "I think that's the way we have got to look at it - a point gained. It was an eventful day, obviously another point towards clinching promotion, but disappointed that we didn't win the game if I'm being honest.

"But it's another point towards the total and that's the way we have to look at it really.

"That's what we have said in there (dressing room), it's down from eight to seven. Although we were in a good position at 2-0 - looking fairly comfortable - and the disappointment of conceding two, although it hasn't happened much at all this season.

"So disappointed in that sense, but it is another step."

The Paisley side were in the driving seat after four minutes, when Davis converted a penalty after Danny Mullen had been brought down in the box. Morgan doubled the Saints' lead in the second half, when the winger scored a wonder freekick after being fouled on the edge of the area. But the game was tied 11 minutes later, as a quick-fire double from the Caley Jags in three minutes equalled things up.    

He added: "It's demanding physically and mentally, and the conditions up here make it a tough place to come. The pitch wasn't ideal for playing our normal passing game, so it was a battle.

"For 70 odd minutes we were comfortable, but it has been two set plays that's been the difference and they've got back into the game from it. But, as I said, we'll look at it in a positive manner."

Although Davis did score from the penalty spot early on, he did have another chance from 12 yards at the end of the first half, which former Saints keeper Mark Ridgers managed to save to keep the score at 1-0.

He continued: "Nice to score a penalty, but obviously disappointed as well at the same time at missing one. I do look at myself and think, if I had have scored and we got in a 2-0 the second half maybe would have been more comfortable, so I've held my hands up in that sense. But mixed emotions today."

"I went down the middle and he's went the wrong way, but his trailing leg gets it. I just haven't lifted it enough away from his trailing leg. I try and mix them up whenever I can, but I'm disappointed I've missed."

"He was unbelievable. A very good performance from the keeper, he saved a lot of things, so he deserved his man of the match award. Which just goes to show the dominance that we had for that 70 odd minutes in the game; it was just the final 15 minutes that let us down."

This isn't Harry Davis' first endeavour at promotion though.

Back in 2012 Davis helped Crewe Alexandra to a League Two play-off victory which saw them promoted to League One. So the big defender knows the key to success. 

Davis said: "Just remain calm, I mean there's still six games left, so there's still a lot of points to play for. Just remain calm and patient, everyone wants it done as soon as possible, but it doesn't always work out like that.

"So remain calm and keep doing what we've been doing this season, just have patience and belief. The team doesn't need any more belief though, we all believe in ourselves and each other to get the job done. We'll stay confident." 

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Nathan Flanagan has joined Elgin City on an emergency loan until the end of the season. 

The 20 year-old spent the first part of the season on loan to League One side East Fife before being recalled in January. 

All at St Mirren wish Nathan the best on his loan move.

We can also confirm that Darryl Duffy’s loan at Airdrieonians has been terminated due to injury.

Darryl scored four goals for the Diamonds after joining them on loan in January.