A selection of pictures from Stephen Smyth as Saints ended 2016 with a 1-1 draw with Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Jack Ross gives his reaction as Saints are held to a 1-1 draw with Renfrewshire rivals Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Saints missed a golden opportunity to finish a difficult year on a high as they failed to hold on to a lead against Renfrewshire rivals Morton.

Gary MacKenzie's header gave the Buddies the lead at the break and their chances of claiming a priceless three points improved when Jamie McDonagh was sent off for stamping on Rocco Quinn early in the second half. 

However, after that Saints seemed to get deeper and Morton's pressure paid off in stoppage time as Ricki Lamie bundled the ball home at a corner. 

Saints stuck with the same team that lost at Tannadice on Christmas Eve and they had an early penalty appeal turned down when Jason Naismith appeared to be bundled over inside the box by Mark Russell. There was then a lucky escape as MacKenzie had to hack the ball clear with Ross Forbes ready to tap in the opener. Jamie Lindsay was booked for flattening Stevie Mallan soon after before Morton could've taken the lead, Scott Gallacher punching a Forbes corner to Gavin Gunning but the defender volleyed wide. 

John Sutton was next to be denied a penalty after appearing to be pushed to the ground after collecting Rocco Quinn's cross. It took midway through the half for the striker to get a sight of goal when he headed wide from Lewis Morgan's cross.

Michael Doyle's header found the top of the net as the visitors threatened again before Saints went even closer, Gary Irvine's cross finding Sutton whose header was tipped over by Derek Gaston. The resultant corner bore fruit as Mallan's superb delivery found MacKenzie in acres of space and his header flew past Gaston to give the Buddies the lead and the big defender his first goal for the club. 

Gallacher did well to palm away Russell's shot as the Ton looked for a quick equaliser. Another chance came when Quinn's foul on Jamie McDonagh sent the Morton player sliding into the advertising boards but Forbes' pacey delivery skidded off the head of Thomas O'Ware and behind.

Saints hadn't threatened since taking the lead but Kyle Magennis had half a chance to double the advantage as Quinn slipped the ball to the youngster at the edge of the box, however his effort was a yard or two away from finding the top corner. 

As the first half came to a close Morton were unlucky not to equalise when Ricki Lamie headed Forbes' free-kick over the bar before Gallacher blocked Gary Oliver's effort to force home the rebound. Morton felt they should have had a penalty in the aftermath for a challenge on Oliver and the subsequent injuries spelled the end of his afternoon as Kudus Oyenuga replaced him at the break. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-0 Morton

Forbes was booked early in the second half for a bad tackle on Magennis but worse was soon to follow for the visitors. After a free-kick was given for a foul on Quinn by McDonagh, the Morton man appeared to stamp on the Saints midfielder. Ref Nick Walsh quickly sent McDonagh off but there was a short delay while Quinn was treated before being replaced by Lewis McLear. Mallan's attempted lob of Gaston was easily dealt with as the Buddies tried to make their advantage count, however Morton weren't lying down and asked plenty of questions of the home defence. 

MacKenzie was denied a second when he saw a header cleared off the line before Naismith and sub David Clarkson both made their way into the book for fouls. 

It looked as if the Buddies would hold out but in stoppage time Morton grabbed a leveller. The visitors won a corner which was missed by Gallacher before falling for Lamie to sweep home. It was a frustrating end to the match and the year as Saints look to haul themselves from the foot of the table.

Full Time: St Mirren 1-1 Morton

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, MacKenzie, Webster, Irvine, Quinn (McLear, 61), Magennis (Clarkson, 71), McAllister, (Gallagher, 88) Mallan, Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Baird, Hardie, Shankland

Morton: Gaston, Lamie, O'Ware, Gunning, Doyle, Oliver (Oyenuga, 45), Forbes, Lindsay (Nesbitt, 74), Russell, McDonough, Murdoch (Tidser, 80)
Subs Not Used: McNeil, Kilday, Scullion, Strapp

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Kylie McMullan
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence

Attendance: 4,902

Match report and gallery pictures © Stephen Smyth 

Jack Ross has gone with an unchanged side for the visit of Morton as 2016 comes to a close at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

The manager has elected to go with the same starting eleven that was narrowly beaten by Dundee United at Tannadice on Christmas Eve.

John Sutton leads the line again after scoring in last week's match. He also scored against Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium at the start of the season and will be aiming to grab his 40th goal for Saints.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, MacKenzie, Webster, Irvine, Quinn, Magennis, Mallan, McAllister, Morgan, Sutton
Subs: Langfield, Baird, McLear, Hardie, Shankland, Clarkson, Gallagher

Jack Ross says his players will be excited for tomorrow's clash with Renfrewshire rivals Morton who make the journey to the Paisley 2021 Stadium in the final match of 2016.

It will be Jack's first home derby match since taking over as manager and he admits that the support that Buddies fans will give makes it the type of game he wishes he was could play in. 

He spoke to stmirren.com at the St Mirren training ground ahead of the Renfrewshire derby and praised the Saints support for the backing he and the team have received.

I was saying to Tony the other day that there's not many games which I wished I was still playing because I'm a manager and I enjoy coaching.

"But with games like tomorrow you get that buzz that you wish you were able to go out on the pitch because our stadium, when it's got a good crowd in it, is very good.

"The surface is excellent, there will be a big crowd at it and it's our responsibility then to feed them energy because if we do that then the supporters will respond to it. We've seen it in recent home and away matches. The fans that have been in attendance have fed off the performances and vice versa. All the players should be excited for it.

The manager realises what the match means to the supporters, but believes that in Saints current predicament there has to be a focus on taking each game as it comes.

I think it's just about us winning another game," Jack said. "That's not to take away the significance of the match as a club, but with the position we are in our need for victories means that's the focus. I think I said post-match at Cappielow that it wasn't a team that reflected how I go about things as a manager.

"But in fairness to the players the vast majority of the games post that night have shown that. I am confident that they will go and produce another performance that will go and enthuse supporters and hopefully we can get a result to match it. 

"I enjoy the challenge of an occasion like this and I know what it means to the supporters," he continued. "I think the faith they have shown in me and the support they have given me means I want to put right what happened at Cappielow for them. 

"The players are aware of the reaction they get from supporters home and away. It instils that greater sense of belief in them and I think tomorrow that will come again. But we never underestimate the responsibility we have to start the game in a manner that allows them to want to be behind us and that's what we'll do."

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Jack is hopeful that the deal to bring Craig Storie on loan from Aberdeen will be completed soon and hopes to tie up some more moves as quickly as possible despite the recent disappointment of a deal that fell through. 

We hope to conclude the paperwork for Craig Storie that will allow him to join us next week," he explained.

"We had hoped to conclude a deal for a defender which fell through. We have two or three others that are very close depending on what ones can get done first. James [Fowler] and I have spent an awful lot of time over the last month looking at possibilities for us.

"January is a difficult window as there's not an abundance of players and the ones I bring in I want to make sure will strengthen the group in terms of their ability and character. We will bring two, three or four in if I can be creative in what I do and there will be a freshness with us as the month moves on."

Saints will be looking to finish 2016 in the same way they started it when Greenock Morton come to the Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow. 

The Buddies travelled to Cappielow for the first league game of 2016 and returned to Paisley with all three points when Lawrence Shankland headed home the only goal of the game to seal the win and get the year off to the perfect start.

St Mirren still sit at the bottom of the table after losing to Dundee United in a spirited effort on Christmas Eve at Tannadice. John Sutton put the visitors ahead on 27 minutes when he capitalised on an error from Coll Donaldson to coolly stroke the ball beyond Cammy Bell. It was a goal which ended Bell's hopes of matching Hamish McAlpine's clean sheet record for Dundee United with the Arabs having not conceded a goal in their previous six matches.

But Saints failed to build on the goal and the home side found themselves level a mere minute later when Scott Fraser struck. Then Simon Murray nodded beyond Scott Gallacher just before the interval to secure victory for the home side.

Morton come into this game on the back of a 1-0 win over Queen of the South on Christmas Eve. They were beaten in their last match away from Cappielow, losing 2-1 to Dunfermline at East End Park almost three weeks ago. 

Like with Dundee United last weekend, Saints will face one of the meanest defences in the country when Morton come to town with the Greenock side having only conceded 18 goals in the league so far this season. They have kept clean sheets in three of their last five league game, however, it's a defence that St Mirren have breached on both occasions this season. 

The Buddies have met Morton twice in League action during this campaign - drawing 1-1 on the opening day of the season and losing 3-1 at Cappielow in November. One man Saints will have to keep their eye on is Thomas O'Ware. The defender has scored nine times for the Ton this season and has been on target in both of the Renfrewshire derbies this season. 

For Saints, there will be a determination from the players to put things right after the loss at Cappielow and continue to accumulate points as they look to push up the league. While Morton will want to strengthen their position in the play-off places and win their first match in Paisley since the turn of the Millennium. 

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 – Andy Webster.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his pre match message for the fans.
Matchday Gallery – A gallery of pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home game against Ayr United.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – A look back at St Mirren's last home game against Ayr United.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher tells us why he believes St Mirren can end 2016 on a high and move into 2017 on a positive step.
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Saturday’s visitors – Jim Duffy's Morton side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Kevin McGowne.
Player Interview – Stuart Gillespie interviews striker David Clarkson.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Defender Andy Webster.
Last Time Out 2 – Match report on the Christmas Eve match-up with Dundee United.
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Look Back on 2016 – A gallery of pictures showing St Mirren's journey through 2016.
Saints in the Community – A catch-up with the latest happenings at St Mirren in the Community.
Last Time Out Flashback – Match report of the game in Paisley against Raith Rovers on 10th December.
Kit Sponsors 2016/17.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2016/17 – 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 2016/17 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 v Morton
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 31st December 2016
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

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 MALLAN’.

With 10 minutes of the game remaining all the votes will be counted then Stadium Announcer Phil Clark 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 with his preparations all in place for the popular match day competitions ‘Bung a Baw’ and 'Spot Prizes'.

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 reports 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.

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.

'Spot Prizes' puts all Season Ticket holders and anyone who buys a ticket for Saturday’s match against Morton, before the St Mirren Ticket Office closes on Friday (2:00pm), into a prize draw.

On the 30th and 60th minute of the match a seat will be selected at random which will be displayed on the scoreboard with the winners each receiving a family munchy box (4 slush puppies, 4 hot dogs, 4 ice creams and 6 packets of traditional sweets) from Tasty Treats of Bridge of Weir.