St Mirren came from behind to defeat Falkirk 2-1 and claim a first William Hill Premiership victory away from home since September.

Goals from Miguel Freckleton and Liam Donnelly saw the Buddies pick up a first league victory on the road since defeating the Bairns by the same scoreline over five months ago.

Interim manager Craig McLeish made two changes from the side that were edged out by Rangers at The SMiSA Stadium last weekend. That saw Allan Campbell handed his first start, while forward Jake Young came in from the beginning. They replaced Richard King and Jayden Richardson who dropped to the bench. 

A bright start saw Killian Phillips drag an effort wide from distance on 13 minutes after brilliant work from Jacob Devaney to win the ball in the middle of the park. 

But Saints fell behind two minutes later and it was self-inflicted. Freckleton's attempted back pass was pounced upon by Dylan Tait. It was fed to in-form Barney Stewart who took it first time to slam beyond Shamal George.

Freckleton redeemed himself three minutes later as he got Saints back on level terms. The defender rose the highest to bullet home Scott Tanser's corner kick and restore parity. 

Miguel Freckleton scores equaliser (Image: Allan Picken)

The hosts twice came close to regaining the lead as the match headed towards the final 10 minutes of the first-half. Donnelly made a vital interception that would deny Calvin Miller a big opportunity to fire Falkirk back in front. Four minutes later, there was a huge let-off when Stewart met Ben Broggio cross at the back post and crashed a header off the upright from close-range. 

Falkirk were in the ascendancy after the restart, but it was Saints who would get themselves in front. O'Hara was fouled on the right-hand side, close to the Falkirk box. The skipper swung the free-kick in where it met the head of Donnelly who found the far corner of the net with his first goal for the Buddies. 

Liam Donnelly scores the winner for Saints (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints pressed for a quick fire third and weren't too far away on two occasions within the space of a minute. Nlundulu drove forward after Saints won the ball back from Falkirk after the kick-off. The striker struck from distance, but he low effort flew just wide of the left-hand post. Substitute Jonah Ayunga was denied moments later after coming in from the right-hand side. Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain stood tall at his near post to block.

Falkirk, who knew a point who guarantee their top six position, pressed for an equaliser heading into the final 10 minutes. Shamal George made a huge save on 82 minutes to claw away an effort from Filip Lissah after the loanee had got in behind the Saints defence. A brilliant bit of defending from Gogic stopped Stewart going one-on-one in the final minutes with the Buddies seeing the game out to pick up a vital three points heading into the international break.

Full-Time: Falkirk 1-2 St Mirren

Craig McLeish applauds the St Mirren support (Image: Allan Picken)

St Mirren: George, Donnelly, Gogic, Freckleton, O'Hara (c), Phillips, Devaney (Richardson 80), Campbell, Tanser (John 57), Young (Ayunga 57), Nlundulu (Mandron 75)
Subs: Mullen, King, McMenamin, Falconer, Idowu

Falkirk: Bain, McCann, Donaldson (c), Neilson, Lissah, Spencer, Tait (Cartwright 82), Yeats (Ross 69), Miller, Broggio (Graham 82), Stewart (Oliver 88)
Subs: Hogarth, Adams, Allan, Brown, Hart

Referee: Ross Hardie
AR1: David Roome
AR2: Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official: Josh Hay
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 7,526

St Mirren were edged out by Rangers at The SMiSA Stadium as Saints fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Ibrox side. Tuur Rommens' first-half goal was enough to secure the points for the Light Blues. 

Craig McLeish took interim charge of the Buddies and made four changes with Richard King, Scott Tanser, Liam Donnelly and Jacob Devaney coming in from the start. Marcus Fraser, Declan John and Keanu Baccus all missed out through injury, while Jake Young dropped to the bench. 

After the news that John and Baccus would be unavailable, the Buddies were dealt a further blow early in the game when Alex Gogic collided with Jayden Richardson forcing the latter to be substituted after suffering a nasty gash above his eye.  

It was a pretty listless first half-an-hour with neither goalkeeper tested before the visitors opened the scoring on 31 minutes. Nico Raskin floated a ball to the back post where it evaded the Saints defence and found Rommens who knocked beyond Shamal George. 

Saints failed to create any real clear cut chances in the opening 45. Our only real opportunity coming with less than two minutes to go until half-time when Dan Nlundulu got his head on a Killian Phillips cross, but it was easy for Jack Butland. 

Rangers came close to adding a second 10 minutes after the restart when Raskin bulleted a header by the post after he met a James Tavernier free-kick. 'Gers skipper Tavernier then forced a wonderful save from George who turned the 20 yard curling effort by the post just before the hour mark. A minute later it was Saints' turn to try and carve out an opportunity. Miguel Freckleton went on a brilliant solo run down the right-hand side before finding Phillips. The Irishman laid it off for captain Mark O'Hara but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked. 

Jonah Ayunga made his return from injury on 77 minutes, back in the fold after being sidelined through injury since December. But it was another substitute, Young, who would have the final opportunity to try and drag Saints back into the game. A long ball from George found the striker in behind Tavernier, but he skewed his effort well wide of target as the minutes ticked away. 

Jonah Ayunga made his return from injury (Image: Allan Picken)

Rangers had the ball in the net for a second time in stoppage time only for the offside flag to deny Thelo Aasgaard. Ultimately, one was enough for Rangers who move to within three points of league leaders Hearts. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers

St Mirren: George, King (Young 63), Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson (Campbell 18), Donnelly, Devaney, O'Hara (c), Tanser (Ayunga 77), Phillips, Nlundulu
Subs: Mullen, Tamosevicius, Falconer, Idowu, Calvin, Etete

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier (c), Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens (Meghoma 81), Raskin, Chukwuani (Barron 72), Gassama (Skov Olsen 58), Moore, Naderi (Miovski 81), Chermiti (Aasgaard 71)
Subs: Kelly, Souttar, Sterling, Antman

Referee: Steven McLean
AR1: Daniel McFarlane
AR2: Frank Connor
Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
VAR: Chris Graham

St Mirren are going back to Hampden and will face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final after we defeated Partick Thistle. 

Goals from Dan Nlundulu and Jake Young gave Stephen Robinson's men a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time. Ben Stanway pulled one back for Thistle with a stunning strike a little after the hour mark. But the Buddies saw the game out to secure a place in the last four where we'll take on Celtic in a repeat of the Premier Sports Cup final. 

Young was one of two changes for Saints as he came in along with Declan John in place of Roland Idowu and Scott Tanser. 

It was the visitors who threatened first with eventual goalscorer Stanway curling an effort off the post from 20 yards in the opening two minutes. Saints then rattled the post themselves on five minutes when Killian Phillips rose the highest to a Mark O'Hara cross, but saw it crash off the woodwork. 

Bar those two early opportunities, it was a fairly uneventful opening 30 minutes at The SMiSA Stadium. It would, however, be stirred by a VAR check for handball that saw Saints awarded a penalty. Keanu Baccus' cross came off the arm of Robbie Crawford and Nlundulu rolled home from 12 yards to give us the lead. 

The Buddies looked to add a quickfire second with John volleying into the arms of Thistle goalkeeper Josh Clarke on 36 minutes. 

Saints were dealt a huge blow five minutes before the end of the half when Marcus Fraser went down with what appears to be a broken collarbone. He was replaced by Richard King who was booked almost immediately after his introduction for a foul on Alex Samuel. 

Stephen Robinson's side controlled the remainder of the half and looked to add a second before the break. Clarke saved from both Miguel Freckleton and John as we ticked into five minutes of injury-time at the end of the first 45. The Saints dominance would be rewarded when Young netted his second in as many games. Phillips' pressing saw him rob the ball deep in the Thistle half with the break of the ball falling for Nlundulu who fed it to his right for Young. The forward took it first time, striking hard and low beyond Clarke at the near post to give us a 2-0 advantage at the interval. 

Jake Young wheels away after goal against Partick Thistle (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints looked to pick up where the left off as the second-half began. John rifled into the side net inside the opening minute of the second 45. Thistle almost reduced the deficit two minutes later with Shamal George making a brilliant save to turn away Samuel's strike. 

The visitors would find themselves back in the game when Stanway pulled a goal back on 61 minutes. Patrick Reading floated a corner to the edge of the area where it met the unmarked Stanway. His finish was brilliant as he volleyed home from 18 yards. 

The manager responded by making a double change that saw Jacob Devaney replace Keanu Baccus and Jalmaro Calvin come on for Young. But it was Thistle who were looking the more threatening as they searched for a leveller. Ex-Saint Tony Watt flashed an effort wide on 72 minutes. As the game heading into its closing moments, Thistle substitute Ricco Diack headed an Aidan Fitzpatrick cross just wide, while Ben McPherson sliced a half volley inches by the far post in added time. 

The Buddies would see the game out to ensure a return to Hampden where we'll meet Celtic next month. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Partick Thistle

St Mirren: George, Fraser (King 40), Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson, Phillips, Baccus (Devaney 64), O'Hara (c), John (Tanser 80), Nlundulu (Idowu 80), Young (Calvin 64)
Subs: Mullen, Donnelly, Campbell, Etete

Partick Thistle: Clarke, McPherson, Ashcroft, O'Reilly, Reading, Crawford (Diack 74), Stanway, Letsosa (Turner 74), Watt, Samuel, Fitzpatrick
Subs: Budinauckas, Logan, McBeth, Dolan, Gray

Referee: David Dickinson
AR1: Calum Spence
AR2: Chris Rae
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 5,548

St Mirren's search for a win on the road continues after a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice.

Saints were architects of their own downfall after a Marcus Fraser own-goal and penalty for handball were enough for United to claim the points.

The home side took the lead with just nine minutes played. Vicko Sevelj's strike was well saved by Shamal George after the Saints stopper got two strong hands behind it. The ball bounced in the area where Marcus Fraser unfortunately got it wrong as he headed into his own net.

Captain Mark O'Hara passed up a huge opportunity to draw us level a little over five minutes before the break. Fraser's deep cross from the right found the skipper whose excellent touch opened up the chance. But he slashed his strike wide of target.

Manager Stephen Robinson introduced Jake Young in place of Idowu at the break. The striker's impact was immediately felt as he drew Saints level on 47 minutes with his first goal for the Buddies. A wide free-kick from Tanser bounced in the box before falling to Young who beautifully guided it into the far corner to equalise.

United looked to respond quickly and almost did so on 50 minutes when their captain Ross Graham headed a corner just wide of target. 

Neither side was able to take control in the contest on what was a difficult surface at Tannadice. Saints came close to taking the lead on 66 minutes when Killian Phillips rose highest to meet a header but saw his effort come off the post before the home side could clear. Amar Fatah should have put United back in front two minutes after with a header of his own. He was found unmarked inside the box but he nodded well wide. 

Both sides continued to push heading into the final 15 minutes with an O'Hara corner causing mayhem in the United box. The ball bobbled around with Gogic the closest to finding the target, but he couldn't force through a ruck of bodies before the danger was eventually dealt with by the hosts. 

With less than 10 minutes remaining, United were awarded a penalty for a Gogic handball. The Cypriot looked to have been claiming for an offside as the ball came into the box and it struck his out-stretched arm. A lengthy VAR check ensued with questions over offside, but nothing was doing and the penalty was given. Fatah struck high into the net to seal the points on another disappointing away day for the Saints.

Full-Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson (King 84), Phillips, Baccus, O'Hara (c) (Calvin 84), Tanser (John 65), Idowu (Young 46), Nlundulu (Etete 90)
Subs: Mullen, Donnelly, Campbell, Devaney

Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer, Iovu, Sevelj, Graham (c), Stephenson, Camara (Trapanovski 84), Agyei, Kerestzes, Fatah (Russell 84), Watters (Sapsford 69), Farrugia (Ferry 75)
Subs: Richards, Eskesen, Dolcek, Naamo, Cleall-Harding

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
AR1: Chris Rae
AR2: Ross Nelson
Fourth Official: George Calder
VAR: John Beaton

Saints picked up a point on the road as we ended February with a 1-1 draw away to Livingston.

Dan Nlundulu gave us a first-half lead with an excellent header, but the Buddies were pegged back in the second-half when Brooklyn Kabongolo levelled with a header of his own to give the hosts a share of the spoils. Saints remain 10 points ahead of the bottom side, while moving three points ahead of Kilmarnock.

Stephen Robinson made six changes to his starting line-up after last weekend's defeat to Motherwell. That saw Marcus Fraser, Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Keanu Baccus, Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron come in for Richard King, Conor McMenamin, Declan John, Jacob Devaney, Roland Idowu and Jake Young. 

The Buddies began the game well and had the first real opportunity after only six minutes. Tanser swung a cross deep to the back post where it met Richardson whose looping header crashed off the bar. Saints were having a good spell of pressure in the opening stages with captain Mark O'Hara seeing a shot blocked in the area before Nlundulu's effort was deflected into the arms of Jerome Prior in the Livingston goal. Good pressing from Saints saw us win the ball back almost immediately with Mandron curling over the bar from 20 yards. 

Despite the decent start, there was a huge let off for Saints on 18 minutes when Fraser misjudged the flight of the ball near his box. That allowed Robbie Muirhead to race on to the ball and get a strike away, but he sent it high and wide when he would have felt he should have hit the target. 

O'Hara wasn't too far away from giving us the lead on 23 minutes when he picked up the ball on his chest and shot from 25 yards. His effort had Prior at full stretch as it drifted just over the bar. 

Scott Pittman clipped wide of target of 32 minutes after a decent bit of play from the Lions. Macaulay Tait's cross found Daniel Finlayson at the right-hand side of the box. The defender laid it back to Pittman who couldn't find the target. Moments later, the home side passed up a bigger chance to take the lead. Alex Gogic got his head on a hopeful lumped ball over the top, but didn't put enough on the header allowing Lewis Smith to steal the ball at the edge of the box. The Livingston winger made his way into the box before being denied by a strong save from Shamal George who got two big hands behind the strike to push it wide. 

It would be Saints who would hit the front as the game approached the interval. Killian Phillips launched the ball forward and Nlundulu did brilliantly to get a toe on it to take it away from Danny Wilson. The forward did well to get the ball under pressure from Kabongolo before O'Hara picked up the scraps and passed it to Tanser. Tanser switched from left to right finding Richardson who laid the ball into the path of Mandron inside the right side of the box. Mandron's cross was precise with Nlundulu doing brilliantly well to beat Kabongolo to find the net. 

Dan Nlundulu celebrates his goal (Image: Alexander Muir)

Into the second-half, Nlundulu had an opportunity to double his and Saints' tally on 57 minutes. The striker did so well to reach a hopeful Tanser cross and beat two defenders, but his toed effort was tame and blocked by Prior. It came back out to Mandron whose shot was blocked before Livingston cleared. 

O'Hara shot wide from 20 yards on 62 minutes, while Nlundulu fired into the side-netting three minutes later after racing on to a clipped ball from the skipper as Saints looked to get a second goal. But it was the home side who would ultimately find themselves level with less than 15 minutes remaining. Substitute Barrie McKay sent a high cross into a decent area where it would meet an unmarked Kabongolo and he made no mistake as he equalised for the Lions. 

Neither side would create the chance for a winner and in truth a point was fair on the reflection of the overall match. Saints, however, were dealt a late blow when Mandron injured his shoulder and had to be substituted. The extent of the injury is yet to be known, but it does appear that the forward could be set for a spell on the sidelines. 

Full-Time: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson (King 90), Phillips (Young 90), Baccus (Donnelly 82), O'Hara (c), Tanser, Nlundulu (Idowu 82), Mandron (Etete 90)
Subs: Mullen, Campbell, Devaney, Calvin

Livingston: Prior, McGowan (c), Kabongolo, Wilson, Finlayson, Danso (Bokila 60), Pittman (Sylla 87), Tait, Fati, L.Smith (McKay 60), Muirhead (Nouble 69)
Subs: Smith, Kerr, Wanner, Arfield, May

Referee: Don Robertson
AR1: Ross MacLeod
AR2: David Roome
Fourth Official: Jamie McCunnie
VAR: Greg Aitken

St Mirren were beaten heavily in the William Hill Premiership as Motherwell ran out 5-0 winners at The SMiSA Stadium. 

The Steelmen were deserved winners as they dominated the proceedings on a poor evening for Saints who saw themselves reduced to 10 men when Richard King was sent off in the second-half. The red card had no bearing on the contest though with Motherwell in control. 

Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to his side with captain Mark O'Hara returning to the starting line-up for the first time since November, while Roland Idowu also came in from the start. Saints changed system as we moved to a 4-2-3-1 with Idowu, Killian Phillips and Conor McMenamin playing behind Jake Young as the lone striker. 

McMenamin had the first opportunity of the match with just two minutes played. The Northern Irishman forced a save from 'Well goalkeeper Calum Ward with Idowu unfortunately slipping which denied him the chance to get on to the loose ball. The visitors then came close to breaking the deadlock just a minute later when Emmanuel Longelo swung a brilliant ball into the box where it met Tawanda Maswanhise who knocked inches by the far post.

Motherwell took the lead on 14 minutes when Elijah Just struck home the opener. The New Zealand forward shot through the legs of Miguel Freckleton and found the far corner. 

Saints tried to get themselves back on level terms and King did well down the right-side. The Jamaican lifted the ball over Stephen Welsh and raced on to the ball before sending across for Young. His attempt was deflected wide of target. 

The visitors doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when Maswanhise scored from the penalty spot. The striker found himself on the end of a ball from Just and was brought down by Shamal George. He stepped up from 12 yards and made no mistake to make it 2-0.

The Buddies' night looked like it had gone from bad to worse when referee Calum Scott brandished a straight red card at Alex Gogic. There didn't appear to be much in the Cypriot's challenge and that was confirmed when the red was downgraded to a yellow after a VAR check. 

Alex Gogic sees his red card downgraded (Image: Allan Picken)

Stephen Robinson responded by making three changes at the interval. That saw the introduction of Marcus Fraser, Keanu Baccus and Mikael Mandron in place of Jacob Devaney, McMenamin and Idowu. But Saints fell further behind at the beginning of the second-half. Ibrahim Said's deflected effort came off Fraser and evaded George's grasp as it found the net. And if that wasn't punishment enough, the Buddies wee then reduced to 10 men with King shown a straight red card on 52 minutes after a coming together with Callum Slattery. Again, there didn't appear to be much to it, but the decision stood and this one wouldn't be overturned. 

Longelo added a fourth for Motherwell just before the hour and while it was initially ruled out for offside, the goal stood after a lengthy VAR check. Substitute Eythor Bjørgolfsson made it five just a few minutes after his introduction when he volleyed home a cross from the right to cap off a miserable night for the Buddies. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-5 Motherwell

St Mirren: George, King, Gogic, Freckleton, John, Phillips, Devaney (Baccus 46), O'Hara (c) (Donnelly 78), McMenamin (Fraser 46), Idowu (Mandron 46), Young (Calvin 61)
Subs: Mullen, Richardson, Tanser, Nlundulu

Motherwell: Ward, O'Donnell, McGinn (c) (Bjørgolfsson 62), Welsh, Longelo (Nicholson 77), Priestman, Watt (Charles-Cook 77), Slattery, Just (Sparrow 62), Said (Ross 77), Maswanhise
Subs: Connelly, Gordon, McGhee, McAllister

Referee: Calum Scott
AR1: Frank Connor
AR2: Alastair Mather
Fourth Official: Alastair Grieve
VAR: Nick Walsh

St Mirren were beaten 2-0 by Hibernian at Easter Road with goals in either half seeing the home side keep all three points in Leith.

Owen Elding opened the scoring deep in the first-half before substitute Ante Suto added a second on 66 minutes.

Saints made three changes to the side that lost to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night. Conor McMenamin, Jake Young and Dan Nlundulu came in from the start in place of Jayden Richardson, Roland Idowu and Mikael Mandron. 

McMenamin had the game's first opportunity on seven minutes when his effort forced a save from Hibernian goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger. Young's driving run saw him find Killian Phillips with a nice pass around 20 yards from goal. The Irish midfielder fed it wide to McMenamin who came in off the right and tried his luck from a tight angle. Sallinger had to be at full stretch to tip it over the bar. 

The hosts threatened soon after. Declan John made a vital block inside the Saints six-yard box to deny Miguel Chaiwa a free shot on goal before Dane Scarlett headed a Jack Iredale cross into the arms of Shamal George a minute or so later. Chaiwa was involved again on 17 minutes when an attempted Saints clearance fell to the midfielder on the edge of the area. He struck it low and with power but it was straight at George who managed to block before the Buddies defence cleared.

Young forced a big save from Sallinger on 24 minutes after being sent down the left by Miguel Freckleton. The forward did well to turn away from the covering defender in the box before seeing his shot saved by the feet of Sallinger. It wouldn't have stood had he scored though with the offside flag being raised. A minute later the striker sent a snapshot wide from 25 yards as the game hit a lull.

The home side opened the scoring with three minutes of normal time remaining in the first-half. A quick corner was played short to Dan Barlaser who swung a cross in to meet Elding who had peeled away from his marker to head into the far corner of the net.

Stephen Robinson made two changes at the interval with Roland Idowu and Mikael Mandron replacing Jacob Devaney and Young. It was the home side that would almost double their advantage five minutes after the restart. Nicky Cadden managed to get in down the right-hand side. There was suspicions of offside but no flagged was raised. The Hibs winger swung the ball to the back post where it found Felix Passlack unmarked at the back stick. He struck onto the post and it bounced clear to the relief of Saints.

The Buddies were denied the chance to draw level on 55 minutes after a wonderful save from Sallinger. Brilliant pressing from Gogic saw Saints win the ball high up in the Hibs half and Mandron ran on to the loose ball. He drove forward before striking from 20 yards. Sallinger did so well to keep the home side ahead as he got a strong hand to turn it over. 

Saints made another double substitution before the hour mark with the introduction of Mark O'Hara and Jalmaro Calvin in place of Marcus Fraser and Dan Nlundulu.

Mark O'Hara made his return to action (Image: Andy Barr)

Hibs made two changes of their own six minutes later when they brought on Martin Boyle and Ante Suto for Scarlett and Elding. It was Suto who would double Hibs' advantage just three minutes after his arrival when he would force home a low cross from Cadden after George couldn't gather.

Full-Time: Hibernian 2-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: George, Fraser (c) (O'Hara 58), King, Freckleton, McMenamin (Richardson 71), Phillips, Devaney (Idowu 46), Gogic, John, Nlundulu (Calvin 58), Young (Mandron 46)
Subs: Mullen, Tanser, Donnelly, Etete

Hibernian: Sallinger, O'Hora (c), Bushiri, Iredale, Passlack, Barlaser, N. Cadden, McGrath (Campbell 89), Chaiwa (Andrews 77), Scarlett (Suto 64), Elding (Boyle 64)
Subs: Smith, Megwa, Alasana, Youan, Molotnikov

Referee: Dan McFarlane
AR1: David McGeachie 
AR2: Liam Duncan
Fourth Official: Lloyd Wilson
VAR: Matthew MacDermid

St Mirren saw a five game unbeaten run come to an end after a disappointing 4-3 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. 

Defensive lapses cost St Mirren dearly as we failed in an opportunity to climb to eighth in the William Hill Premiership. 

There was one change to the side that defeated Airdrieonians in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup with Roland Idowu coming in for the suspended Jake Young. 

The Buddies started well and took the lead when Killian Phillips opened the scoring on eight minutes. Richard King's long-throw was headed back to the Jamaican by the Kilmarnock defence and he nodded into the area where it found Mikael Mandron. The striker couldn't get the ball under control, but it did manage to find its way to Phillips who back-heeled beyond Kelle Roos to score his sixth goal of the season.

Beyond the goal, there was very little created in the opening 40 minutes or so with neither goalkeeper having much to do. But two goals in the space of two minutes flipped the game in Kilmarnock's favour at the end of the half. Ex-Saint Greg Kiltie drew the hosts level on 43 minutes when he met a cross from Findlay Curtis and bulleted home a header from close-range. Killie then took the lead in stoppage time with Tyreece John-Jules' overhead kick giving Neil McCann's side the advantage at the break. Saints could only partially clear a corner to Curtis whose shot from 20 yards deflected into the path of John-Jules who acrobatically finished beyond Shamal George. 

Stephen Robinson responded to the first-half showing with a substitution at the interval, introducing Dan Nlundulu in place of Jayden Richardson. Saints looked more lively and almost drew level less than a minute after the restart with Idowu forcing a massive save from Roos. King's ball over the top bounced off Mandron and fell for Idowu who struck well but saw his effort pushed over.

The Buddies would grab a quick equaliser with Phillips getting his second of the evening. Mandron showed great strength to force his way to the byline and send the ball across the face. Roos could only palm the ball back to Phillips who slammed home from six yards.

Nlundulu passed up a big opportunity to fire Saints back in front before the hour mark. The Kilmarnock defence couldn't clear after a brilliant bit of trickery from Idowu and that saw the ball fall to Jacob Devaney 25 yards from goal. He found Mandron in the box who worked it to Nlundulu on his left, but the forward's strike was tame and easy for Roos to gather. A minute later Idowu sent a teasing ball across the face with Declan John inches away from sticking a toe on it to turn into the net.

It was Kilmarnock, however, who re-took the lead with less than 15 minutes minutes remaining. A ball over the top from Michael Schjønning-Larsen found Joe Hugill running down the left. His cross was perfect for John-Jules and while the striker was initially thwarted by George, he would finish the follow up to put Kilmarnock back in front. The hosts extended their advantage five minutes later. Another long ball over the top from Robbie Deas saw John-Jules outmuscle John and slot beyond George to score his hat-trick and earn Kilmarnock the points.

Saints substitute Jalmaro Calvin should have reduced the deficit when he was found by Nlundulu, but the forward shot straight at Roos as the game headed into injury-time. Scott Tanser would pull a goal back in the dying embers though it was too little too late as we left Rugby Park empty-handed.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 4-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: George, Fraser (c), King, Freckleton, Richardson (Nlundulu 46), Phillips (Calvin 84), Devaney, Gogic, John (Tanser 84), Idowu (McMenamin 84), Mandron
Subs: Mullen, Sobowale, Donnelly, Campbell, Etete

Kilmarnock: Roos, Deas, Schjonning-Larsen, Brown, Lyons (Tshibola 65), Polworth (McKenzie 84), Watson (Brandon 79), Kiltie, Curtis (Thomson 79), John-Jules, Anderson (Hugill 65)
Subs: Stryjek, Stanger, Williams, Dackers

Referee: Grant Irvine
AR1: Daniel McFarlane
AR2: Chris Gentles
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger
VAR: Ryan Lee

St Mirren became the first side into the hat for the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup after Roland Idowu's extra-time winner saw off Airdrieonians at The Albert Bartlett Stadium.

It wasn't a vintage performance from Saints, but Stephen Robinson's men got the job done to ensure a place in the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2022. 

A stunning finish from Jacob Devaney gave the Buddies a deserved first-half lead. But Airdrieonians drew themselves level in the second 45 and took the game to extra-time. It looked like we'd be heading to penalties once again, only for substitute Idowu to fire home the winner with four minutes remaining.

The manager made just one change to the side that defeated Hearts in the William Hill Premiership on Tuesday night. That saw Jake Young come in for the injured Dan Nlundulu. It was Young who had the first opportunity with six minutes on the clock. He picked the ball up and struck low from 20 yards, but Airdrieonians goalkeeper Harry Stone was equal to the effort as he held. 

Saints were in control in the opening stages of the match and that paid off on 19 minutes when Devaney produced a bit of magic to score his first goal for the Buddies. Mikael Mandron played a lovely ball round the corner for the the loanee who took one touch before beautifully guiding the ball into the top corner of the net.

Jacob Devaney celebrates his first St Mirren goal (Image: Craig Brown)

The Buddies almost added another four minutes later when Jayden Richardson forced a big save from Stone. Richardson was involved again just after the half hour mark when his low pass almost found Mandron who was ready to tap in from close range. He was denied that opportunity by a vital interception from Craig Ross who turned it behind for a corner. 

The hosts steadily started to grow into the match and had a strong penalty appeal turned down with just over 10 minutes of the first-half remaining. Jamie Barjonas was through on goal and went down under the challenge from Richard King. It did look like the home side had a strong case for a spot-kick, but referee Kevin Clancy was unmoved which drew plenty of ire from the home support. Their frustration was almost compounded when Mandron immediately had the chance to double St Mirren's advantage when he won the break of the ball on the edge of the Diamonds' box. But the forward sent the shot wide of target.

Airdrieonians started the second-half the better, but failed to create anything clear cut to worry Shamal George in the St Mirren goal. Charlie McArthur passed up a half decent opportunity on 55 minutes when he slammed into the side net. That miss was nearly punished when substitute Idowu, who replaced the injured Young in the first-half, missed a big chance to double our lead. He found himself in a good area but got the shot all wrong and sent well wide of target. 

The home side fired a huge warning signal just after the hour mark when Lewis Strapp lashed a curling effort inches over the bar from 20 yards. That prompted a double substitution from Stephen Robinson as he introduced Conor McMenamin and Kion Etete in place of Richardson and Devaney.

But the warning wasn't heeded as the hosts would get themselves level on 65 minutes. Euan Henderson scoring a tidy finish from inside the Saints box to make it 1-1. The goal looked like it may spark Saints back into life after a fairly listless start to the second-half with Idowu forcing a terrific save from Stone. But the Buddies lacked the quality required in the final third with the final chance of the 90 coming a minute before the end when Idowu shot just by the far post. 

As was the case in the previous round, Saints were going to have to go at least 120 minutes. Stephen Robinson made a further change at the beginning of extra-time, replacing Etete with Malik Dijksteel as he looked for his side to have more width. But he was dealt a further blow 10 minutes into extra-time when the Dutchman picked up a groin injury and had to be substituted as well. Jalmaro Calvin was his replacement and the young Jamaican forward was agonisingly close to regaining Saints' lead when he turned an Idowu cross inches wide at the beginning of the second period of extra-time. 

It was the Buddies who looked the more likely and we would eventually find a winner with four minutes remaining. George's free-kick drifted all the way to Idowu inside the box and he lashed home first time to put us into the last eight. 

Full-Time: Airdrieonians 1-2 St Mirren (AET)

St Mirren: George, Fraser (c), King, Freckleton, Richardson (McMenamin 63), Phillips (Donnelly 111), Devaney (Etete 63, Dijksteel 91, Calvin 102), Gogic, John, Young (Idowu 35), Mandron
Subs: Mullen, Tanser, Sobowale

Airdrieonians: Stone, MacDonald (Devine 65), Ross, McArthur, Strapp, McMaster (c) (Constable 90), Barjonas (Gallagher 78), Telfer (McGrattan 72), McKinnon (Hastie 118), Mochrie, Henderson,
Subs: Melrose, McGinty, Aird, Smith

Referee: Kevin Clancy
AR1: Graeme Stewart
AR2: Scott Anderson
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson

Miguel Freckleton's late header saw St Mirren grab a richly deserved win over league leaders Hearts at The SMiSA Stadium.

Saints dominated the proceedings, but couldn't find a way past Alexander Schwolow who put on an inspired show in the Hearts goal. Just as it looked like the Buddies would have to settle for a point, defender Freckleton bulleted home a header in 88th minute to ensure all three points remained in Paisley. Stephen Robinson's men have now moved up to ninth place in the William Hill Premiership with our first league victory since December. 

The manager made five changes from Saturday's 0-0 draw with Dundee. Deadline day signing Jacob Devaney made his debut after signing on loan from Manchester United yesterday. Jayden Richardson, Declan John, Dan Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron also came in with Scott Tanser, Tunmise Sobowale, Roland Idowu and Kion Etete dropped to the bench, while Jake Young missed out through suspension. 

Saints started brightly with an unmarked Alex Gogic heading a John free-kick over on three minutes. Schwolow was called into action for the visitors 10 minutes later as he made his first big save of the match. John drove in from the left and saw his deflected strike fall nicely at the feet of Mandron. The forward got his shot away but saw the Jambos shot-stopper get two strong hands behind it to push away.

Devaney impressed on his debut, showing maturity beyond his 18 years. He almost broke the deadlock on 23 minute when his dangerous crossed almost looped in at the far post. Four minutes later, Gogic almost did similarly with his cross-cum-shot tipped over by Schwolow. 

Jacob Devaney impressed on his debut (Image: Allan Picken)

Hearts were reduced to 10 men as the game approached the half hour mark. Brilliant pressing from Mandron saw him steal the ball off Stuart Findlay deep in the Hearts half. Nlundulu wrestled with Craig Halkett for the ball and the ball fell for Devaney who was about to race clear on goal. He was scythed down by Halkett who was given his marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. A VAR check confirmed the decision. Killian Phillips took the resulting free-kick 20 yards from goal, seeing his effort pushed away by Schwolow. Mandron couldn't force home on the follow up. Phillips tested the goalkeeper again on 38 minutes with a long-range shot that was once again saved. 

The Buddies would have the ball in the net before half-time, only to be denied by the linesman's flag. John's free-kick met the head of Gogic who crashed his attempt off the post. Marcus Fraser was quickest to react, bundling into the net, but quickly denied by the offside call. As the game headed into injury-time at the end of the first 45, Saints were awarded a penalty when Richardson was felled by Milne. But a VAR check ruled the foul took place outside the box so the decision was overturned and Saints awarded a free-kick which John curled just by the far post. 

Schwolow, the scourge of St Mirren, once again made another brilliant stop early into the second-half to deny us an opener. Gogic's cross found Mandron at the back post. The forward brought it down on his chest before seeing his strike blocked by a top stop from the Hearts goalkeeper. 

Phillips headed a glorious chance over with a little more than 20 minutes to go, but the offside flag was raised in any case. Substitute Conor McMenamin then forced a save from Schwolow at his near post as the game ticked into its final minutes. From the resulting corner, John's delivery was exceptional and found Freckleton who peeled away from his marker to slam into the net and make up for the goal he wrongly saw disallowed when the sides met at The SMiSA Stadium in October.

Miguel Freckleton heads home the winner (Image: Vagelis Georgariou)

Saints would be forced to deal with one final Hearts set piece from which they sent Schwolow up in search of the goal that would give them a point. But Sabah Kerjota's delivery was poor and Etete managed to head clear the danger as the Buddies secured a welcome three points.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Hearts

St Mirren: George, Fraser (c), King, Freckleton, Richardson (McMenamin 70), Phillips, Devaney (Idowu 70), Gogic, John, Nlundulu (Sobowale 86), Mandron (Etete 77)
Subs: Mullen, Tanser, Donnelly, Campbell, Calvin

Hearts: Schwolow, Steinwender (Kerjota 90), Halkett, Findlay, Milne, Baningime (Magnusson 79), McEntee, Leonard (Ageu 90), Kyziridis (Kent 38), Braga, Kabore (Kabangu 79)
Subs: Gordon, McCart, Altena, Spittal

Referee: Steven McLean
AR1: David McGeachie
AR2: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Iain Snedden
VAR: John Beaton

Attendance: 7,151