I would like to take the opportunity to address a couple of issues in the wake of Saturday's derby draw against Morton. 

First of all, my comments regarding the referee Steven McLean's performance. Having watched the game again I feel that my criticism of Steven's overall performance was not proportionate. While I remain in disagreement with a couple of important decisions, in particular the caution given to Gavin Reilly for simulation, I believe it is important I acknowledge when I may have made a couple of incorrect observations. 

I speak regularly about self reflection and analysis and therefore it would be hypocritical of me not to do so in these instances. 

Secondly, I wish to both acknowledge and thank the outstanding support provided within the stadium on Saturday. I feel that as a club we have taken continued forward steps in the past twelve months and undoubtedly the fanbase has played a pivotal role in galvanising the club. 

I am immensely proud of my players and staff in terms of how hard they work and how driven they are to bring success to the club, and I am pleased that the support also appears appreciative of their efforts. We have very much shifted expectations in recent times and while I welcome the challenge of not only meeting, but exceeding them, there will still be plenty of bumps and obstacles along the way. 

This is when the support will be most vital and I hope that the fans continue to trust in the players and staff as much as I do. 

Thank you again, not just for Saturday, but for the continued and consistent fantastic backing. 

St Mirren manager Jack Ross gives his thoughts on today's 2-2 draw in the Renfrewshire derby.

Referee Steven McLean awarded two penalties in the match but his decision not to award one late on for a foul on Gavin Reilly left Saints frustrated. 

The Buddies remain two points clear at the top of the table ahead of next weekend's trip to Tannadice.

St Mirren had to settle for a point in a controversial Renfrewshire derby as Morton came from behind twice to draw 2-2. 

Ian McShane gave Saints a second half lead from the penalty spot before Andy Murdoch levelled almost immediately for the visitors. Gavin Reilly scored his 11th goal of the season to put the Buddies back in front on 72 minutes. But Morton equalised with just over 10 minutes to play when Gary Harkins scored the game's second penalty as both sides shared the spoils.

The visitors almost took an early lead when a mix up between Liam Smith and Jack Baird saw Jai Quitongo race through on goal. The striker tried to break away but was closely followed by Gregor Buchanan who did enough to put off him and take the sting out of his eventual shot which Craig Samson pushed wide.

Lewis Morgan went close twice in quick succession as Saints looked to take an early lead. Countering from a Morton corner, Stephen McGinn slipped a lovely through ball for Cammy Smith who rode the challenge of a Morton defender before picking out Morgan inside the area. The winger created a bit of space inside the box but the connection on the ball wasn't clean as the ball rolled just by the post. He did, however, go close four minutes later with a swerving shot on the edge of the box was well pushed over the bar by Derek Gaston.

The Buddies were on top and almost grabbed the lead when Gavin Reilly found himself in good space, rifling a shot just over the bar after the half hour mark.

The game hit a bit of a lull, but Andy Murdoch almost caught out Samson with a good hit from the edge of the box that was moving in the wind. The Saints keeper did well to push the powerful drive away as half time approached. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Morton

St Mirren started the second half brightly, winning a corner within the first minute of the restart. Then, two minutes later, Morton goalkeeper Gaston was forced into a terrific save by Lewis Morgan. The winger was found alone inside the box and rattled the ball towards the top corner with the keeper doing well to touch it over the bar. 

With around 25 minutes to play, Saints were awarded a penalty kick as Lewis Morgan was pulled down. Question marks surrounded whether the foul had taken place in or out of the box, but referee Steven McLean pointed to the penalty spot. The Buddies have made a bit of a habit of missing penalties over the last year or so, but made no mistake as Ian McShane sent Gaston the wrong way to draw first blood in the derby. 

But St Mirren wouldn't be allowed to enjoy the lead for long as the visitors got themselves level two minutes later. A ball in from the left was headed out the box where it met the oncoming Andy Murdoch who drilled it sweetly into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to make it 1-1.

The game had well and truly burst into life with Saints regaining the lead a little over three minutes later. Cammy Smith's searching ball into the box was swept home first time by Reilly for his 11th goal in the black and white of St Mirren. 

And Reilly almost wrapped the game up soon after when he clipped a shot just beyond the post as the Buddies searched for a third. 

But the derby day drama wasn't done there as Morton were awarded a penalty of their own with just over 10 minutes to go. Gregor Buchanan was judged to have brought down Ton defender Thomas O'Ware inside the box as a corner was swung in. Ex-Saint Gary Harkins stepped up and stroked the ball beyond Samson to make it 2-2. 

Saints looked to be denied a second penalty when Gavin Reilly was scythed down as he burst into the box. Remarkably, the referee booked the striker for simulation despite clear contact. 

In the end it was only a point for the Buddies who still remain two points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.

Full Time: St Mirren 2-2 Morton 

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Magennis (Stewart 61), C.Smith, Morgan, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Irvine, McCart, MacPherson, Hilson, Sutton

Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie. Doyle, Oliver, Forbes, Quitongo (McHugh 55), Harkins (Armour 88), Tiffoney (Thomson 75), Russell
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Langan, Barr, Hynes

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland

Attendance: 5,496

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

It’s derby day in Renfrewshire tomorrow as St Mirren host Greenock Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The sides have already met once this season when St Mirren made the short journey to Cappielow in August. Cammy Smith scored a sensational goal in front of almost 2000 Saints in the Wee Dublin End a few minutes before half time to cancel out Michael Tidser’s opener for the home side. However, a red card for Jack Baird saw Saints reduced to 10 men early in the second half with Tidser scoring from the resultant penalty. Goals from Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch rounded off a disappointing afternoon for the Buddies.

Jack Ross’ side bounced back from that 4-1 loss as they went on to win six of their next eight league matches – a run that saw them claim the top spot in the Ladbrokes Championship. Indeed it has been Saints’ home form in the league that has been integral to the side sitting top of the pile. The Buddies have won their first five league matches at home this season – the first time that’s happened since moving into the Paisley 2021 Stadium. Falkirk, Dundee United, Inverness, Queen of the South and Brechin have all made the journey to Paisley this season and left with nothing.

But it's results on the road over the past two weeks that have seen Saints remain top of the table. Last weekend's 0-0 draw with Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium saw the Buddies pick up a good point on the back of a first win away to Dumbarton since 1996 the previous week. 

Meanwhile, Jim Duffy’s Morton currently sit in sixth place in the Ladbrokes Championship with four wins, three draws and three defeats from their opening ten matches. Two of their wins in the league this season have come on the road – a 2-1 win over Queen of the South in Dumfries and a 1-0 victory at Brechin two weeks ago.

Like Saints, they come into tomorrow’s match unbeaten in their last two matches. Last weekend they drew 1-1 with Dumbarton at Cappielow as McHugh's second half strike cancelled out Mark Stewart's early goal for the Sons, while an 81st minute goal saw them squeeze past Brechin at Glebe Park a fortnight ago. 

The Buddies are unbeaten at home against Morton since a 5-1 loss in 1999. However, two 1-1 draws with the Greenock side saw Saints fail to defeat them at home last season. Saints' last win over Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium came in April 2016 with goals from Lawrence Shankland, Calum Gallagher and Stevie Mallan seeing the Buddies come out on top 3-1.

The squad looks likely to be as it was for last weekend's draw against Falkirk. Harry Davis is edging closer to a comeback after returning to training, but he remains out as do fellow long-term absentees Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd.

As is always the case with derby matches, three points for either side are all the sweeter as both look to claim bragging rights. A win for Saints would keep them top of the table, while three points could see Morton climb into the play-off positions.

It’s all set to be an exciting match with over 4,000 supporters expected at the Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow. Tickets will be on sale right until kick-off so if you haven’t already got yours make sure you do and come back the Buddies.

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 Championship match against Morton, is a 48 pager with a £3 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Adam Eckersley.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his thoughts on recent matches and his pre-match message for the fans.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures of the recent Championship match away to Falkirk.
Last Time Here - Picture gallery of when Saints last faced Morton at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The Opposition – Brian Corry runs the rule over Saturday's visitors, Jim Duffy's Morton side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Tony Connell.
Player Interview – We talk with St Mirren goalkeeper, Craig Samson.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Dale Hilson.
SMDSA – An update from the St Mirren Disabled Supporters Association..
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Matchday Gallery – Pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home match against Brechin City.
Kit Sponsors 2017/18.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher reckons St Mirren are still looking good for league glory.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2017/18 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures 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 2017/18 season click HERE.

If you live outside the UK & Ireland, St Mirren TV is your way to watch Paisley’s top football side 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 Paisley 2021 Stadium when Morton are the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

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

St Mirren vs Morton
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 28th October 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm BST

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

We are giving fans the opportunity to vote for the man of the match and also put two lucky fans in with the chance of winning a £10 voucher for the Club Shop.

Every home game we’ll throw open the voting on the 60 minute mark for 20 minutes where votes can be cast on Facebook and Twitter. All you have to do is use the hashtag #SMFCMOM followed by the name of the player you are voting for, eg ‘#SMFCMOM MORGAN’.

With 10 minutes of the game remaining all the votes will be counted then the Stadium Announcer will confirm the winning player over the tannoy system.

From all the fans who nominate the winning player one will be picked at random from the Facebook account and another from the Twitter account and they will each be awarded a £10 voucher for the Club Shop. The winners will be notified through the account they posted from.

So get yourself ready on the hour mark of Saturday’s game against Morton and get voting with #SMFCMOM.

Paisley Panda is all set for Saturday’s match against Morton as he gets ready to host the ever-popular match day competition ‘Bung a Baw’.

To take part in ‘Bung a Baw’ fans need to purchase a small foam ball which is numbered and they will then have a chance to throw their ball towards our club mascot Paisley Panda in front of the Family Stand. Each person will have 60 seconds to do this and the winner will be the person who has thrown the ball closest to the feet of the Panda with the winner being confirmed over the PA system.

The competition is sponsored by The Linwood Farm Restaurant who are supplying a family meal voucher as the prize for the contest winner.

Each ball will cost £1 to buy. The balls will be available from sellers inside the Family Stand in the 30 minutes leading up to kick-off and then again in the first 5 minutes of half-time before the competition starts (subject to availability). Each ball is numbered and participants will also get a ticket with the corresponding number which they will use to claim the prize if they win.

Paisley Panda confirms that ‘Bung a Baw’ continues to be very popular so he advises that you get in early tomorrow to purchase your ball to take part.

As well as taking care of ‘Bung a Baw’ Paisley Panda will be giving away sweets to the kids in and around the stadium courtesy of the Black and White Army website.

Paisley Panda has also teamed up with the St Mirren Club Shop so you will be able to buy hats and scarves for the game from the 'Bung a Baw' stands.

Paisley Panda is pleased to confirm that ‘First Scorer’ will be back for Saturday's game against Morton.

‘First Scorer’ gives fans the opportunity to predict in advance of the game who they think will score St Mirren's first goal in Saturday’s match against The Ton.

The winner will be picked at random from those who guessed correctly and they will win a box of a dozen doughnuts which will be delivered to your 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.

St Mirren in the Community are delighted to confirm that the SMFC Fans Council Panda Club will be open as usual for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against Morton at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

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 Stephen Gallacher by e-mail at stephen.gallacher@stmirren.com.

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

St Mirren vs Morton
Saturday 28th October 2017
1:00pm – 5:00pm

To find out more about the Panda Club click here