A year ago tomorrow an early second half strike from Lewis Morgan secured St Mirren a first home league win of the season as the Buddies saw off Raith Rovers 1-0 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. On April 29th 2017, Saints again defeated Rovers at home - this time by a more emphatic 5-0 scoreline - to gain their ninth and final league win of the 2016/17 campaign.
Today, 364 days after Saints won their first home league match of last season, the Buddies surpassed last season's total of nine wins as goals from Gavin Reilly and Cammy Smith gave Jack Ross' side a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brechin City at Glebe Park to secure a 10th league win of the season.
It's a testament to the job the gaffer, his backroom staff and the players have done since the beginning of 2017 as Saints keep the pressure on Dundee United at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.
A lifeless opening 15 minutes was quickly stirred into action when Jack Baird appeared to be fouled in the Brechin box after Ian McShane floated in a free kick. The defender, trying to attack the ball, appeared to be hauled to the deck by a City defender. Referee Colin Steven was unmoved much to the chagrin of Baird who punched the deck in frustration.
The Buddies didn't let that phase them and took the lead a little over five minutes later when Gavin Reilly notched his 17th goal of the season. The Brechin defence failed to deal with a through ball from Stephen McGinn. Reilly gambled and with the ball finding its way to his feet, he found himself one-on-one with Brechin goalkeeper Graeme Smith. The 24 year-old showed great composure to curl the ball home to draw first blood for the visitors.
But Saints couldn't build on that lead with the hosts getting back on level terms on 27 minutes. A long ball forward saw Isaac Layne out-muscle Baird and race through on goal. Craig Samson had raced off his line, but that allowed Layne the space to slot the ball into the net to make it 1-1.
Buoyed by the goal, Brechin finished the half strongly with ex-Saints striker Kalvin Orsi going close with a chip before Samson made terrific saves to deny Layne and Sean Crighton putting City ahead.
Half Time: Brechin City 1-1 St Mirren
Orsi almost got Brechin ahead quickly into the second half when he screwed a shot mere inches by the post on 47 mins.
Five minutes later it was Saints' turn to almost go in front. A tremendous through ball from Adam Eckersley found Lewis Morgan with the young winger racing clear down the left hand side and making his way into the box. His effort had Graeme Smith beaten only for Gary Fusco to be on the line to whack the ball clear.
St Mirren were awarded a penalty just after the hour mark when Cammy Smith, making his return to the team after missing last week due to injury, was brought down by Graeme Smith. The Brechin players protested the decision, but Colin Steven was adamant the forward had been fouled. With The Buddies' regular penalty taker, Ian McShane, having been substituted it fell to Cammy Smith to take and he made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball into the net sending Graeme Smith the wrong way.
The home sides had a few chances in the remaining part of the match to grab themselves a point. Euan Spark found himself all alone inside the Saints box but hit his shot straight at Samson. Then, in the dying embers of the match, Brechin substitute Andy Jackson cracked the post when he looked odds on to score.
With the referee's final whistle came another big three points for St Mirren in the Ladbrokes Championship to keep them just one point behind leaders Dundee United at the top.
Full Time: Brechin City 1-2 St Mirren
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Eckersley, McGinn, McShane (Sutton 61), Morgan (Buchanan 87), C.Smith (Kirkpatrick 90), Magennis, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Stewart, McCart, O'Keefe, Duffy
Brechin City: G.Smith, McLean, Dyer (Lynas 17), Fusco, Watt (Graham 76), Spark, Crighton, Sinclair, E.Smith, Layne, Orsi (Jackson 79)
Subs Not Used: P. O'Neil, Love, C. O'Neill
Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Assistant Referee: Ryan Oliver
Attendance: 812
Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography
