St Mirren’s run of four home games in a row comes to an end tonight as the Buddies play host to Spartans in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

The match was originally scheduled for Saturday but was called off due to an issue with the under soil heating at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Saints come into this game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 loss to Dunfermline in the Ladbrokes Championship which leaves the side still looking for that elusive first league win of the season.

However, it’s been a different story in cup competition with St Mirren picking up six wins out of seven cup matches this season.

Most recently the Saints defeated Ayr United 2-1 to seal a place in the semi-final of the IRN-BRU Cup with John Sutton scoring a quick fire double after the away side had taken the lead. That has set up a semi-final tie with Welsh side The New Saints in February. 

Meanwhile, Spartans come into the match in good spirits on the back of a win over Lowland League leaders East Kilbride. Jack Hay's first half goal gave Spartans the victory and ended Kilby’s world record 30 wins in a row.

Saints and Spartans have only ever faced each other in the Scottish Cup, with the East of Scotland outfit holding the Buddies to a 0-0 draw back in February 2006. The replay, less than two weeks later, was a different story though as St Mirren ran out 3-0 winners back at Love Street. John Sutton opened the scoring that night before goals from Charlie Adam and Ian Maxwell sealed it for the Buddies.

The winners of tonight's meeting will face Ladbrokes Premiership side Dundee at Dens Park in the fourth round, with that match scheduled to take place on the weekend of the 21st/22nd of January. 

Jack Ross believes that last weekend's win over Ayr United has given the players a lift ahead of tomorrow's match against Dunfermline Athletic in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Saints are still looking for their first league win of the season, but a good performance and result against Ayr United in the IRN-BRU Cup has given the players a boost according to the manager.

Speaking to stmirren.com, Jack admitted that the last couple of weeks have been encouraging as the team head into a big match against the team sitting directly above in the league.

I think it's natural that they have a lift from achieving a positive result," he said. "I spoke post-Dumbarton about how the reaction in training had been from a good performance in the main so the last two weeks have been really encouraging in that sense. There's definitely been an increase in quality in training which has been encouraging as well. 

"I think that the players are beginning to adjust to the way we would like them to try and play," he continued. "That required a certain change in tempo at training and I think they've adjusted to that. I think now they are starting to see the rewards from playing that way, all be it that the Dumbarton result didn't go our way, but the performance deserved a better result.

"We showed a lot of analysis post that game that reinforced that so I've been really pleased with the last two performances because I think we've dominated those games. We still want to get even better particularly in the final third and we've worked a lot on that in training. But they go into the game in a good frame of mind and they've been really buoyant in training and they've been really responsive to what we've wanted them to do."

While the manager understands the importance of tomorrow's match, he believes every match is significant at the moment as Saints look to start climbing the table. However he doesn't downplay the impact that a positive result could have on the team.  He said: "Every game is hugely important for us because of the position we find ourselves in.

I don't think the fact that [Dunfermline are directly above us] makes it any more important, I just think they're all hugely important for us and every game for us now is of massive importance. I think the benefits of a positive result can't be ignored because we know that will take us closer to the team that are immediately above us and those teams are our first target if you like.

So from that sense we know what kind of reward there is if we win the game. It's not to say that we don't think it's of huge importance because it is but every game is of huge importance. It doesn't matter who the opposition is, there needs to be this motivation and desire to go and win every game.

Jack expects a tough match against a side he believes has "quality" in key areas though feels that if Saints performance the way they can, and have done in the last few weeks, then they will have a good chance of getting a positive result.

I think they're a team who, perhaps like ourselves, will feel like they've underachieved this season in terms of some of the quality that they have in their squad," he said. "I've been fortunate with how our fixtures have panned out that I have managed to see them a couple of times personally which has been helpful. I'm familiar with a lot of their players anyway and we know they have a lot of quality in the forward areas that can provide a goal threat like we seen in the reverse fixture at East End Park. We are confident if we play in the manner we have done in the last few games we can create and cause problems for them as well."

Goalkeeper Scott Gallagher came into the side for the win over Ayr United last week and the manager said he was happy with his performance and hopes he can go from strength to strength.

I was pleased with him," he said. "I think we played well as a team so we limited the work he had to do, but I thought what he did do was really positive. Considering it's been a difficult season for him personally with the way it's panned out with the goalkeeping situation it was a good starting point for him mentally and in terms of performance level. We believe he can kick on from that. 

Saints will have almost a full squad to choose from tomorrow though the manager believes that the game has come too early for Andy Webster and Rocco Quinn who both returned to training.

"They're both joining in training today for the first time but obviously tomorrow will be too soon for them. With no reaction they'll train tomorrow with the 20's and train with us from next week. We have one slight doubt but hopefully he'll be alright."

St Mirren are back in league action tomorrow as they take on Dunfermline Athletic in the Ladbrokes Championship. The game kicks off at 5:15pm due to BBC Alba coverage as the Buddies take on the team sitting directly above in the league. 

Saints come into this game having defeated Ayr United 2-1 in the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final on Sunday. It was Jack Ross' first win as St Mirren manager and ended a run of four straight defeats for the Buddies. Dunfermline come into this match on the back of consecutive 1-0 losses at the hands of Dundee United in both the Championship and IRN-BRU Cup. They picked up a point at the start of the month when they drew 0-0 at home against rivals Raith Rovers, but haven't won a league match since defeating St Mirren back in September. 

That match in September was the last time the Buddies faced Dunfermline as they travelled to East End Park to take on the Fife side for the first time in league competition since the 2011/12 season. Allan McManus took charge as caretaker manager for the first time and was unlucky to see his Saints side edged out in the seven goal thriller, with a double from John Sutton and a wonder strike for Ryan Hardie not enough to prevent St Mirren losing 4-3. 

Dunfermline, meanwhile, are making their first trip to Paisley this season. Despite being in the league below last season, they did visit the Paisley 2021 Stadium once in the 2015/16 campaign as the two sides met in the Challenge Cup. Though Allan Johnston's men were flying high in League One at the time, Saints ran out comfortable winners with Stephen Mallan scoring twice to add to goals from Calum Gallagher and Scott Agnew to give the home side a 4-0 win. 

Indeed the Pars have yet to win at the Paisley 2021 Stadium since it opened back in 2009. In the four visits they've made to the ground Saints have ran out winners on three occasions with the other one ending in a thrilling 4-4 draw. 

There has been very little between the two teams in their last five league encounters. Both have won a game apiece while the other three games have ended in draws, with both teams scoring 10 goals each in those matches.

Ryan Hardie and Ben Gordon return to the squad after missing out on the win over Ayr United though the game comes too soon for Andy Webster and Rocco Quinn who have made their returns to training. 

This could prove to be a massive game in the Saints season. A first league win of the season would bring them to within two points of Dunfermline in the quest to start climbing up the table, while Dunfermline too will be looking to kickstart their season and could potentially leapfrog Dumbarton in eighth if results go their way earlier in the day. 

All the matchday info can be found here

Jack Ross knows his side will face a difficult task against Ayr United in the quarter-final of the IRN-BRU Cup on Sunday. The Honest Men travel to Paisley on Sunday for the 12:30pm kick-off to take on the Saints with a semi-final place at stake. 

The manager spoke with stmirren.com this morning to discuss the match and while he knows the Saints are up against a difficult opponent, he wants the players to show belief that they can win the game. 

Coming up as a part-time team in this league is a challenge, but so far they've had a very positive season. They've achieved some terrific results already - not just at home, but away from home as well so it's much like a league game for us. They're all difficult challenges and although this is a different competition, it's just as difficult a match. 

"Rightly or wrongly I always go into a game thinking we can win it," he continued. "It's the feeling I try to get across to the players and they have to start believing it as well. As long as you do it in a way that is balanced and you realise what you have to do in the game to win it. You can't just think because you can win it that you will do. I think it's important that they retain that belief that they go into every single match thinking that they're going to win the game."

The manager said that preparation has gone well this week and he's pleased with the standards being shown on the training field.

There's just been a wee change to the structure of our week with the game being on Sunday. Other than that we structure our week in the same way and today we'll do a lot of stuff working towards how we feel we can get at Ayr United and how we can deal with them in a defensive situation. 

"I think every week I feel better and more comfortable and I think standards have risen in training all the time, so in that sense it has been a good week's preparation."

Something previously discussed by the manager as he looks to put his own stamp on the team has been about trying to find a settled eleven. Throughout the season both Jamie Langfield and Scott Gallacher have been changed around and the manager has said he's now going to give Gallacher the opportunity to claim the number one jersey after starting with Langfield in his first four games in charge.

When you inherit a squad and a club mid-season you have to assess everything within it and one of the things that was obviously evident was that there hadn't been a settled number one throughout the season. I think allied to that, Jamie doing his dual-role while still wanting to be competing for the number one spot isn't the perfect scenario either.

"It's not a knee-jerk reaction on the back of Saturday," he added. "It's something that I discussed with Jamie when I first came into the job about how we re-structure things or look at things to try and get the most out of the goalkeepers we've got here at the moment. 

"We're going to bring someone in to do one or two days to help on the coaching side. But equally, having spoken to Jamie and Scott, Scott will have an opportunity to establish himself as first choice and it will allow Jamie to focus more on the coaching side and be supportive of him. That's not to say that's set in stone because Scott has an opportunity, he needs to go and perform. 

I don't think the situation was ideal and we've looked at what we can do to try and tweak things to get the most out the goalkeepers that we've got here."

The manager will still be without the services of Andy Webster and Rocco Quinn who remain injured and he admitted that there is no timescale for their returns. Along with those two Ross will also be without the services of Ben Gordon and Ryan Hardie who are ineligible after playing for Alloa and Rangers U20s in this competition respectively.

It's a 12:30pm kick off on Sunday as St Mirren take on Ayr United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in the IRN-BRU Cup Quarter-Final. 

It's the third meeting of the two teams this season having already faced off against each other in the Betfred Cup in July and the Ladbrokes Championship in August. 

Saints are unbeaten in those meetings with Jack Baird's 90th minute goal securing a 1-0 win in the Betfred Cup tie, while Tom Walsh rescued a point at Somerset Park with an 89th minute header to cancel out Jamie Adams' first half goal. 

St Mirren have played Ayr United three times in the Challenge Cup with the Honest Men holding the advantage having won two to the Saints one. 

The first game came back in October 1992 as the Buddies travelled to Somerset Park in the first round. The hosts had reached the final in the previous two seasons falling to Dundee and Hamilton. It was a difficult afternoon for the Buddies and Chic Charnley's goal was not enough to prevent a Saints defeat as Ayr edged the game 2-1.

Saints travelled to Somerset Park again a year later, this time with a place in the final up for grabs. A double from Eddie Gallagher secured a 2-1 reverse for St Mirren and set up a final clash against Falkirk. Unfortunately there was no happy ending for the Buddies in the final as the Bairns won 3-0. 

The last meeting of the two in this competition came back in the 2001-02 season with Ayr pitching up at Love Street. They ran out 3-1 winners with goals from future Saint Gary Teale, Paul Sheerin and Eddie Annand rendering Mark Yardley's goal meaningless.

Saints path to the Quarter-Finals this season has been anything but smooth. The Buddies looked to be crashing out at the first hurdle when Albion Rovers raced into a 2-0 lead at Cliftonhill in September. Saints recovered before half time and eventually went 3-2 up, before conceding a quick goal that put Albion back on level terms. It took until extra-time for the St Mirren to secure their passage into the next round with Lawrence Shankland netting on 98 minutes to set up a fourth round tie with Hibernian. 

On the face of it Saints couldn't have been a dealt a tougher draw than facing Hibernian at Easter Road. Neil Lennon's side currently sit atop of the Ladbrokes Championship and would've have been favourites to win the IRN-BRU Cup when they entered. However, it was a memorable day in the capital for the Buddies as goals from Stephen Mallan and David Clarkson gave the then caretaker manager Allan McManus a win in his last game in charge. 

Ayr's passage to this stage has arguably been just as difficult as the Saints. They narrowly defeated Airdrieonians 3-2, with goals from McGuffie, Forrest and Balatoni sending them through to the fourth round. Like St Mirren in their fourth round clash with Hibernian, Ayr rose to the challenge as they knocked out Falkirk, seeing off the Bairns in extra-time. Gary Harkins scored with 114 minutes on the clock to send the Honest Men through and set up Sunday's tie.

St Mirren will be without Andy Webster and Rocco Quinn who are both still injured while Ben Gordon and Ryan Hardie are cup-tied. 

Sunday's game will be a massive one, with both sides knowing that a win will leave them within touching distance of the final. Saints have won the trophy and been in the semi-final in their last two forays into this competition and will be looking to maintain that good run. Meanwhile Ayr will be looking to complement what has been a strong start to Championship life under Ian McCall. It's all to play for. 

All the match day information can be found here.

St Mirren play host to Dumbarton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow afternoon with the Saints searching for their first league win of the season. 

Tomorrow's match begins a run of four consecutive home games for the Buddies, with league and cup action on the agenda. The Sons are the first side to visit the Paisley 2021 Stadium over a busy November month with Dunfermline due in two weeks time in the league also. Sandwiched between that is the IRN-BRU Cup quarter final against Ayr United, before the Saints round off the month with the Scottish Cup clash against Spartans.

Jack Ross has been in charge for around a month now and the new manager couldn't have picked a more difficult start to his managerial career at the Saints if he tried, with tough matches against Dundee United, Hibernian and Morton at the beginning of his tenure.

Saints come into this match with one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five matches. A 1-1 draw at the Paisley 2021 Stadium with Falkirk at the start of October was followed up with a 2-1 victory away to Hibernian in the IRN-BRU Cup before losses to Dundee United, Hibernian and Morton. Dumbarton's only win in the Ladbrokes Championship came back in August when they defeated Dundee United 1-0 at home with Mark Docherty scoring from the penalty spot. They've picked up two draws and two defeats from their last four league matches, coming from 2-1 down to draw 2-2 with Dunfermline last weekend.

The Sons were a difficult opponent for St Mirren last season, winning three of the four encounters. In the first clash, ex-Dumbarton midfielder Scott Agnew scored with a magnificent volley from outside the box for the Saints to level the scores on match day two of the 2015/16 season after Willie Gibson's deflected free kick had given the visitors a first half lead. However, a late penalty from Garry Fleming meant all three points were heading across the Clyde and back to Dumbarton. 

Garry Fleming was the scourge of St Mirren again when the two sides met in December 2015. His goal early in the second half was enough to seal victory for the home side and open up a five point gap over the Buddies. The roles were reversed come February though when Saints opened up a five point gap over Dumbarton with Lawrence Shankland netting the only goal just after the hour mark to give St Mirren their only win over Dumbarton last season. 

The final meeting of the two came in St Mirren's last away game of the season and saw Dumbarton make it three wins out of four over Saints to secure their status as a Championship club for another year.Calum Gallagher had given St Mirren the lead before an own-goal by Saints player of the season Keith Watson levelled the scores. But once again it was Garry Fleming who was the hero for Dumbarton as he scored the winner on 54 minutes. 

There has been one meeting between St Mirren and Dumbarton this season, with nothing to separate the two sides as they fought out a 1-1 draw at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium in September. Andy Stirling put Dumbarton one ahead before loanee Ryan Hardie nodded home an equaliser for Saints just before half time. 

A win in tomorrow's game would take St Mirren level on points with Dumbarton who sit directly above Saints in the Ladbrokes Championship, while a win for the Sons would see them move six points clear. 

All the ticket information for tomorrow's game can be found here

St Mirren make the trip to Greenock this evening to face Renfrewshire rivals Morton in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Tonight's match, originally scheduled for Saturday 22 October, but postponed due to Morton's involvement in the Betfred Cup, will be the second time the two sides have squared off against each other this season following a 1-1 draw at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on the opening day of the season. 

On that day, Morton held the lead for the majority of the game after Thomas O'Ware's early first half goal put the Ton ahead. It was better late than never for the Saints when John Sutton popped up to head home his first goal since returning to the Buddies in the summer with just seven minutes remaining to earn the draw. 

Morton come into this evening's match on the back of some good form having won their last three matches in the Ladbrokes Championship - beating Ayr United, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers. It took two goals in the last 15 minutes or so of the Greenock side's game against Ayr United on Saturday for the Ton to grab victory having gone 1-0 down in the first half. Morton's home form is also strong, with Jim Duffy's side having not lost a match at Cappielow since a 1-0 loss to Raith Rovers in March 2016.

The feeling is that there has been an improvement in performances since Jack Ross took over as Saints manager several weeks ago. Unfortunately though, Saints have left matches against Dundee United and Hibernian empty handed. 

Lawrence Shankland was the hero for the Buddies in the last trip to Cappielow at the beginning of 2016, with his first half header enough to take all three points, and the bragging rights, back to Paisley. It was the first derby win for either side in the 2015/16 season following draws at Cappielow and the Paisley 2021 Stadium in August and November respectively. Shankland was also on the scoresheet when the teams met towards the end of the season, with further goals from Calum Gallagher and Stephen Mallan securing a 3-1 win for St Mirren.

Should Jamie Langfield start in goal tonight for the Saints it will mark his 50th appearance for the team he supported as a boy. The goalkeeper will be looking to maintain his run of clean sheets at Cappielow having denied the home side a goal in both trips to Greenock last season. The 36 year-old was in inspired form in Saturday's loss to Hibernian as he saved a penalty from Grant Holt and made several other good saves. 

As with all derby matches tonight will be hugely significant for both sides. A win for St Mirren would give Saints their first league win of the season and move them level on points with Dumbarton who come to the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday. For Morton, a win would see them propel themselves above Falkirk in fifth and allow them a chance to sneak into the last play-off spot ahead of Queen of the South. 

All the ticket information for tonight's game can be found here, whilst all travel club information is available at this link.

Jack Ross says St Mirren won't be going to Easter Road tomorrow to make up the numbers. The Saints travel through to the capital to face league leaders Hibernian and the manager wants his side to be positive and show belief in their ability to take something from the game. The last visit to Edinburgh for the Buddies was a mere three weeks ago with goals from Stevie Mallan and David Clarkson giving the visitors a 2-1 win to progress to the quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup. 

Speaking to stmirren.com ahead of the match, Ross admitted it will be a tough match but one in which the side should be capable of going and giving a good account of themselves.

He said: "When you go away from home to the team that is top of the league then it's stating the obvious that it's going to be a challenge. I think, though, we go there with belief - not just the fact we have won there recently, but the fact we have players that have proven themselves at that level and beyond in the past. That's something we need to tap into to bring them back to that level of self-belief in their own abilities. 

We'll go there to play on the front foot," he continued. "The message this week is not to go there and sit in and hope for the best. I believe that we are a club and a team that should be looking to go and win these games. It's easy to say it, but it's another thing going and doing it."

With no game for St Mirren last weekend, it gave the manager an opportunity to go and see tomorrow's opponents in the flesh along with Morton, who the Saints will play at Cappielow on Tuesday 1st November.

He said: "I went to Hampden and watched the first hour of Morton and then went to East End Park to see Hibs. That was good from a personal point of view because it allowed me to see them with my own eye which I think is always helpful. We'll be prepared thoroughly for the two games but naturally it's easier to prepare for the Hibs game as you've got longer."

The next game is always the most important one and the biggest one so everything we've been doing this week has been working towards Saturday. Once that game is finished the focus turns to the next one."

Ben Gordon returned to St Mirren this week following an emergency loan spell at Alloa. Saints will be without the services of centre-halves Andy Webster and Gary MacKenzie for the trip to Hibs but Ross was insistent that Gordon would have come back regardless.

I wanted to come here and assess the players and squad that I had," he said. "There's also been circumstances with injuries. But regardless, I would have still looked to have brought Ben back. I know his capabilites as a player, I know his character, his attitude and I know how - even while he was with Alloa - keen and determined he was to be successful here. He is a good defender and he will get an opportunity now."

Jack's full interview will be available on St Mirren Radio tomorrow as we bring live commentary from the game at Easter Road. 

St Mirren and Hibernian get set to face each other tomorrow afternoon in a Ladbrokes Championship fixture at Easter Road, the third meeting between the sides so far this season.

Tomorrow will be the second Championship encounter between the sides this season with the first one taking place back on 20th August when two goals from Jason Cummings at The Paisley 2021 Stadium turned out to be the difference on the day.

The sides last went head to head three weeks ago at Easter Road where Saints came back from a goal down to win 2-1 and book their place in the last eight of the IRN-BRU Cup.  Alex Harris gave Hibs the lead but Stephen Mallan got Saints back on level terms as he rifled a direct free-kick into the back of the net just ahead of half-time. The game looked to be heading to extra-time but Lawrence Shankland set-up David Clarkson who went through and slipped the ball past Hibees keeper Ofir Marciano to win the tie.

Since then the Hibees have found their feet again after a goalless draw away to Raith Rovers and a 3-1 win last weekend at East End Park against Dunfermline thanks to an own goal from the Pars’ Nat Wedderburn, a penalty-kick from Grant Holt and a 90th minute finish from Brian Graham, all countering Kallum Higginbotham’s first half opener for the home side. The four points from these matches pushing the Leith side back up to the top of the Championship table.

Due to having no fixture last weekend as the match away to Morton was postponed as the Greenock side faced Aberdeen in the BetFred Cup semi-final, Saints last outing was two weeks ago against Dundee United for new manager Jack Ross’ first match in charge. Saints lost 2-0 to United but put on an improved performance which the new manager will be looking to build on.

You have to go back to 19th April 2014 for Saints last win against Hibs in league competition. The Scottish Premiership match at Paisley saw Saints run out 2-0 winners thanks to early strikes from Kenny McLean and Paul McGowan. And even though Jim Goodwin was red carded on the 30 minute mark Saints held on comfortably for the points.

You only have to go back a further three months (18th January 2014) for St Mirren’s last win at Easter Road on league business. An early own goal from Ben Williams along with strikes from Adam Campbell and Steven Thompson had Saints 3-0 up at half-time and looking as if they were cruising. But a second half brace from Jamie Collins had St Mirren sweating it out to hold on for maximum points which they managed to do.

Tomorrow’s match has huge significance for both sides. Hibs will ultimately be looking to consolidate their place on the top of the Championship, but from a St Mirren perspective Saints will go to Easter Road with a fair degree of confidence after their win there earlier this month but also knowing that they have to start accruing points to put pressure on Dumbarton and Dunfermline above them and start moving upwards again in the league table.

James Fowler believes that believes that Saints supporters will have a big role to play as the new era at St Mirren gets underway tomorrow. Fowler was appointed as Jack Ross' assistant manager last week and the pair will be in the home dugout for the first time tomorrow as the Buddies face Dundee United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Speaking to stmirren.com, Fowler said: "I know that maybe the performances and results until now haven't been great at home but it's a fresh start for everybody. 

"We've had a good weeks training and hopefully we can build on that and the crowd will play a massive part in that as well. I think at the last home game [1-1 v Falkirk] the crowd was really positive even when the team was losing and helped them to a draw. 

"It's going to be a tough game but we're confident with what we've got. If the players can build upon their performance last week and play to their maximum then we're more than capable of getting a result."

Fowler says it has been a good first week in at the Buddies, not just working with the players at Ralston, but also working alongside Ross.

"It's been a really enjoyable week," he said. "It's been good to work with the players and spend a bit of time with them on the training pitch.

"He's [Jack] quite a hands-on coach and we've just been building that relationship between ourselves, but we're similar in terms of what we're looking for from our players. Like I say, it's been a really enjoyable week working with the players and working with Jack as well. 

"They've been really receptive and the standard has been really high in training. It's a really good group as well, so it's just about maintaining the standards and looking to improve areas that we can as well."

Kyle Hutton was named in the SPFL team of the week for his performance in the win against Hibernian last week and that was a positive for Fowler, who worked with midfielder at Queen of the South last season. 

He said: "Speaking to people, they said it was his best game last week so that was pleasing. I think he'll be a big player moving forward for the club. He's still learning and we've just got to nurture what he's got and hopefully he can build on last week's performance and keep on improving."