It's not often that a team loses a crunch game and yet the afternoon ends with their fans in party mode – but that's exactly what happened in Paisley this afternoon.
Saints knew a point against Kilmarnock – a team that hasn't won away from home all season – would be enough to secure their best league finish since 1985. But why do things the easy way when you can do them the St Mirren way?
As much as the Buddies wanted to secure a coveted top six spot under their own steam, they also knew results elsewhere would do the job if they lost to the Ayrshire side. Unfortunately, first half goals from Liam Donnelly and Kyle Vassell meant the Paisley faithful were hoping for favours elsewhere far earlier than they'd have liked – Thierry Small's second half red card pretty much ending hopes of a comeback.
Given what was at stake for both sides, it wasn't too surprising that the opening 10 minutes or so were slightly nervy. Saints goalie Trevor Carson saved easily from David Watson, while at the other end Alex Gogic headed Scott Tanser's corner well over. Kyle Vassell then had a shot across goal that went out for a throw, however next time around he brilliantly held the ball up before sliding it through the defence for the on-rushing Liam Donnelly to thump past Carson.
Saints looked for a quick response, Keanu Baccus being flattened inches outside the box as he shaped to shoot. The free-kick was taken short to Gogic who hammered it towards goal but it was blocked by the Killie defence. The visitors were pushing for a second, Carson saving from Vassell before the forward headed wide after a throw in had been flicked on. Instead, it was his strike partner who doubled the lead, Daniel Armstrong hanging up a cross for Christian Doidge whose header hit the post before finding the net.
The home support were stunned and desperately needed something to cheer, Tony Watt eventually blazing over after Killie failed to deal with Joe Shaughnessy's long throw as a disappointing first half came to a close. It was little surprise that boss Stephen Robinson decided to ring the changes at the break, Greg Kiltie and Thierry Small coming on for Baccus and Scott Tanser.
However, Killie almost added a third within seconds of the restart, Watson crossing for Rory McKenzie who met it perfectly only for Carson to pull off a tremendous save. Former Saint Alan Power then shot wide from distance before visiting goalie Sam Walker was finally called into meaningful action, saving easily from Ryan Strain after the fullback had got the better of his man.
An injury to Charles Dunne brought his afternoon to a premature end, the Saints boss switching things up replacing him with Alex Greive, but it was one his fellow subs who would have a meaningful impact – and not in a good way. Small was frustrated that a throw in decision went against him and threw the ball down in disgust, earning himself a booking. After Killie took the throw, the on loan fullback then hauled back Watson, leaving ref Willie Collum with little option but to show him his second yellow card in the space of 14 seconds.
Scott Robinson, who'd replaced the injured Vassell, thought he'd added the third only for team-mate Armstrong to get in the way of his shot. The final throw of the Saints dice saw Watt and Gogic replaced by Kieran Offord and Declan Gallagher before former Saints loanee Jordan Jones curled a shot wide as Killie looked to remove any lingering doubts about where the points were headed.
It was a day with little for the home support to cheer – but with five minutes left it was party time. News came through that Dundee United had doubled their lead against Livingston and the pressure was off. Barring a ridiculous turnaround at Tannadice – which thankfully never came – Saints' place in the top six was secure. Normally, the final whistle in a 2-0 defeat would be greeted by boos but this time around - in front of a record capacity crowd of 7,937 at the SMiSA Stadium - there were cheers – and even a lap of honour from the players.
Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Kilmarnock
There was a record crowd of 7,937 at the SMiSA Stadium this afternoon (Image: Jeff Holmes)
St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne (Greive 63), Strain, Baccus (Kiltie 46), O'Hara, Gogic (Gallagher 81), Tanser (Small 46), Watt (Offord 81), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, R.Taylor, Flynn, Boyd-Munce
Kilmarnock: Walker, Mayo, A. Taylor, Chambers, Armstrong, Donnelly, Power (c), Watson, McKenzie (Jones 76), Vassell (Robinson 72), Doidge (Lyons 70)
Subs Not Used: Hemming, Dorsett, Albeiosu, Alston, McInroy
Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Stewart Luke
VAR: Steven Kirkland
Assistant VAR: Jonathan Bell
Attendance: 7,937
