Saints began their post-split fixtures with a disappointing defeat to Livingston at The SMiSA Stadium.

Livi had goalie Jerome Prior to thank after a goalless first half, the shot-stopper producing fine saves to deny Richard King, Mikael Mandron and Declan John.

Saints lost Jonah Ayunga to injury in the second half before Livi went in front when Alex Gogic turned Robbie Muirhead's cross into his own goal. The Buddies had plenty of the ball but were unable to make it count and Scott Pittman put the game beyond them when he slammed home the visitors' second with less than 10 minutes to play.

Emergency loan signing Ross Sinclair got the nod over youngster Grant Tamosevicius to replace the injured Ryan Mullen in goal, with Richard King replacing the injured Liam Donnelly the only other change to the side which started at Hampden last Sunday. The visitors also made two changes, Ryan McGowan and Brooklyn Kabongolo coming into the side at the expense of Cammy Kerr and Cirstian Montano.

Saints started on the front foot, Allan Campbell sending a shot high and wide after a couple of minutes, but it was Sinclair who was the first keeper to be called into action as he tipped Joel Nouble's dangerous cross behind before saving a header from Kabongolo. When a Livi free-kick broke down Saints were able to attack on the counter, Declan John's shot being deflected into the side netting for a corner that was taken short before being crossed to Alex Gogic, who headed over. Soon after, another neat bit of play allowed Killian Phillips to find Campbell but he was unable to find the target.

The Buddies were enjoying plenty of possession and Ayunga stung the palms of Jerome Prior with a fierce drive. There had been little danger at the other end but when Alex Gogic was booked for fouling Stevie May it gave the visitors a free-kick in a dangerous position which the former St Johnstone forward curled narrowly wide. Ten minutes from the break Saints could have been in front when Campbell picked out King at the back post but Prior produced a great save to deny the defender. The Livi keeper was proving a real thorn in Saints' side, saving Mikael Mandron's cross from John's header before blocking the Welshman's shot as the half drew to a close.

King sent a shot a few yards over as hostilities resumed but the Buddies were dealt a huge blow when Ayunga went down injured following a tackle. The popular forward was clearly in some distress before being stretchered off, Jake Young taking his place, with Roland Idowu replacing King at the same time.

After the changes, the visitors began coming into the game more and midway through the half took the lead, sub Robbie Muirhead firing the ball across goal where the unfortunate Gogic was unable to stop himself turning it into his own net – a VAR check for offside unable to spare his blushes.

Saints nearly drew level when John's deep free-kick was knocked on for Campbell with his volley inches wide of the post. He was replaced by McMenamin with Jayden Richardson coming on for Jacob Devaney at the same time but with less than 10 minutes of normal time to play the visitors put the seal on their first league win on August, Saints being caught short at the back allowing Macaulay Tait to tee up fellow sub Scott Pitman to fire home from close range.

Nine minutes of stoppage time began with Saints skipper Mark O'Hara rattling the woodwork from range but there was to be no late drama this time, with the Buddies still just two points clear of the play-offs.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Livingston

St Mirren: Sinclair, King (Idowu 56), Gogic, Freckleton, O'Hara (c), Phillips, Devaney (McMenamin 73), Campbell (Richardson 73), John (Tanser 82), Mandron, Ayunga (Young 56)
Subs: Tamosevicius, Falconer, Calvin, Douglas

Livingston: Prior, McGowan (c), Wilson, Kabongolo, Finlayson (Kerr 77), Sylla, Arfield (Pittman 64), Smith, Fati (Montano 40), May (Muirhead 64), Nouble (Tait 64)
Subs: Hamilton, Danso, Zimmerman, McKay

Referee: David Dickinson
AR1: Douglas Ross
AR2: Scott Anderson
Fourth Official: Jamie Wilkie
VAR: John Beaton

Attendance: 5,884

St Mirren's hopes of a second cup final of the season were ended after defeat to Celtic at Barclays Hampden.

Saints fell at the semi-final stage despite a big effort from Craig McLeish's men at the National Stadium. Mikael Mandron's second-half double saw us force extra-time after coming back from 2-0 down.

However, the final period went horribly wrong for the Buddies with Celtic scoring four goals in six minutes in the first-half of extra-time to secure their place in the final. 

We had work to do from the off with Celtic taking the lead inside the first minute of the game. A loose touch from stand-in goalkeeper Ryan Mullen - the only change from last weekend's 1-0 loss to Celtic as he replaced the injured Shamal George - saw Celtic's Daizen Maeda press quickly to block the attempted clearance. The ball came off the outstretched leg of the Japanese forward and trundled across the line.

Celtic could have added a second on nine minutes when Arne Engels was afforded too much space 20 yards from goal. The Belgium international had time to set himself before curling off the post. 

Saints were dealt an injury blow with Mullen unable to continue after a knock. He was replaced by 17-year-old youth academy goalkeeper Grant Tamosevicius who came on for his first-team debut. The youngster was soon thrust into action, holding a strike from Benjamin Nygren before making a good two-handed stop to deny Maeda a second.

The Buddies' best opportunity came on the half-hour mark and only a big save from Viljami Sinisalo denied us an equaliser. Liam Donnelly rose highest to meet a corner and the Celtic goalkeeper did well to push over the bar. The Celtic goalkeeper was called into action again three minutes later. He clattered a clearance off Killian Phillips and had to be at full stretch to get back and tip it wide. 

After a good spell for Saints, it was Celtic who almost doubled their advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the half. Kieran Tierney's cross when deep to the back post where it met Hyunjun Yang. His header back across goal came crashing off the bar. 

Saints could have found themselves level heading into the interval after brilliant pressing from Ayunga saw him deflect a Sinisalo clearance to Mikael Mandron. The forward laid it back into the path of Phillips but he couldn't get the connection required and sclaffed it by the post. 

As it was, Celtic would add a second on the stroke of half-time. Ralston lashed high into the net after racing on to Yang's backheel to make it 2-0 leaving Saints with it all to do in the second-half. 

But the Buddies would get themselves right back into the match less than 10 minutes after the restart. Declan John swung in a lovely cross from the left side where it met Mandron who guided a brilliant header back across Sinisalo to give us hope. 

Saints kept pushing for an equaliser but weren't managing to carve up any real opportunities to get level. With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, McLeish introduced Jayden Richardson, Roland Idowu and Jake Young in place of Allan Campbell, Phillips and Ayunga. Eight minutes later it was Conor McMenamin who came on for Liam Donnelly as we looked to find the goal that would take us to extra-time. 

Sinisalo made a double save as the minutes ticked away. His first saw him block with his foot before tipping Mandron's follow-up by the post. 

Four additional minutes were confirmed and within the first of those four minutes, Saints drew level. Miguel Freckleton was quickest to react to a flick-on from a Celtic throw-in. He knocked the ball on to Young who hooked the ball over the top for Mandron. The forward outpaced Benjamin Arthur and lashed a brilliant finish beyond Sinisalo to complete the comeback and ensure another 30 minutes of time at Hampden. 

But any hopes of Saints reaching the final in May were extinguished in a tough six minute spell where Celtic added four goals. Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice either side of a Luke McCowan strike while Benjamin Nygren netted a sixth. 

Full-Time: Celtic 6-2 St Mirren (After extra-time)

St Mirren: Mullen (Tamosevicius 15), Donnelly (McMenamin 82), Gogic, Freckleton, O'Hara (c), Phillips (Idowu 74), Devaney, Campbell (Richardson 74), John (Tanser 106), Mandron, Ayunga (Young 74)
Subs: Calvin, Douglas, Etete

Celtic: Sinisalo, Ralston, Trusty, Arthur (Murray 91), Tierney (Saracchi 83), McGregor (c) (Oxlade-Chamberlain 73), Engels (McCowan 73), Nygren, Tounekti (Forrest 61), Yang (Iheanacho 83), Maeda
Subs: Doohan, Hatate, Adamu

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
AR1: Calum Spence
AR2: David Roome
Fourth Official: Ryan Lee
VAR: Kevin Clancy

St Mirren were edged out by Celtic at Celtic Park as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first-half goal saw the points remain in Glasgow's East End.

But Saints can take encouragement heading into next weekend's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final against the Hoops after a good display at Parkhead. The Buddies moved the ball around well and controlled large parts of the second-half, but failed to really trouble Viljami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal and left empty-handed. 

Interim manager Craig McLeish named the same starting lineup that defeated Aberdeen 2-0 at The SMiSA Stadium last Saturday. McLeish had stressed to his players heading into the game the importance of seeing out the early period of the match and Celtic did control the opening stages with the offside flag denying Oxlade-Chamberlain a goal on six minutes Callum McGregor's powerful long-range strike stung the palms of Shamal George who could only push out as far to Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Englishman volleyed the rebound home but was rightly denied by the linesman's flag.

Saints did settle after early pressure from Celtic. Jonah Ayunga flashed a low strike wide of the near on nine minutes before Miguel Freckleton's long-range effort was held by Sinisalo in the Celtic goal.

However, Celtic would take the lead on 16 minutes just after Saints best spell of the early part of the game. It was another McGregor strike that caused the danger, deflecting into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain who slotted into the corner.  

Saints were dealt a blow around the half-hour mark when George was caught late by Tomas Cvancara who was sliding into to try to connect with a low ball across the face. The Saints stopper couldn't shake off the issue and had to be replaced by Ryan Mullen. Mullen's first task was to gather a curling effort from Benjamin Nygren from the edge of the area on 38 minutes.

Ryan Mullen came on as a first-half substitute (Image: Allan Picken)

Kieran Tierney had to make a vital intervention for the hosts as we headed into six minutes of added time at the end of the first-half. Jacob Devaney's clipped ball found Mikael Mandron at the back post with Tierney having to get himself in front of the forward to knock it wide. Liam Donnelly came close in the final moments of the half. He rose highest to meet Declan John's corner but nodded over. 

Saints would go on to control large spells of the second 45 without creating the opportunity they would crave to draw level. Alex Gogic met a Mark O'Hara cross just before the hour mark, but headed over with the flag eventually being raised in any case. 

Despite being the better side, the Buddies still had to be alert to Celtic's danger. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho turned a Daizen Maeda cross just by the post while Donnelly made a terrific challenge to deny the Nigerian forward the chance to go one-on-one with Mullen. 

Saints' opportunities were limited to a shot from distance from the impressive Devaney that was routine for Sinisalo before substitute Roland Idowu shot into the arms of the goalkeeper from a tight angle. 

Celtic saw the final minutes out to take all three points. Saints remain two points ahead of Kilmarnock who occupy the relegation play-off spot as we head into the split. Focus turns to our Scottish Cup semi-final contest against Celtic at Barclays Hampden next Sunday. 

Full-Time: Celtic 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: George (Mullen 32), Donnelly, Gogic, Freckleton, O'Hara (c) (Richardson 73), Phillips, Devaney, Campbell, John (Idowu 80), Mandron (McMenamin 80), Ayunga (Young 73)
Subs: King, Tanser, Douglas, Etete

Celtic: Sinisalo, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor (c) (Hatate 73), Oxlade-Chamberlain (McCowan 73), Nygren (Engels 62), Yang, Maeda, Cvancara (Iheanacho 62)
Subs: Doohan, Arthur, Saracchi, Forrest, Tounekti

Referee: Duncan Nicolson
AR1: Frank Connor
AR2: Scott Anderson
Fourth Official: Daniel Graves
VAR: John Beaton

Saints made it back-to-back wins thanks to a fine display against Aberdeen to ensure there was no happy return to Paisley for former boss Stephen Robinson.

Liam Donnelly could have had a first-half hat-trick from Declan John deliveries but it was Jonah Ayunga's goal which had Saints in front at the break, the forward executing a smart turn before firing a low shot past visiting goalie Per Kristian Bratveit.

The Dons improved after the break but, aside from former Saint Toyosi Olusanya heading over, had little to show for their efforts and the Buddies added a second 10 minutes from the end thanks to a tremendous Alex Gogic header from Scott Tanser's perfect corner.

Tanser had had to make do with a place on the bench as John took his slot on the left, interim Saints boss Craig McLeish also changing the strikeforce that started against Falkirk a fortnight ago by starting Ayunga and Mikael Mandron instead of Jake Young and Dan Nlundulu. The visitors also made three changes from their last game, Bratveit replacing Dimitar Mitov in goals and Graeme Shinnie and Topi Keskinen starting at the expense of Ante Palaversa and Dennis Geiger. Former Saints Olusanya and Elvis Bwomono were on the bench.

Donnelly twice went close to bagging his second goal in as many games in the early stages, seeing one header from a corner tipped over by Bratveit and his second one clip the bar. It was Miguel Freckleton who was next to threaten from one of John's corners, the defender meeting it perfectly but his header flew just wide. It took until midway through the half for Aberdeen to pose their first real threat, Kenan Bilalovic bursting forward before curling a shot inches past the post. Shinnie then got the better of Gogic to drill in a dangerous ball that Shamal George did well to turn away.

Donnelly had a third chance to open the scoring for Saints from a well worked free-kick, the Irishman getting on the end of another great John cross but he headed wide when he should at least have hit the target. As half-time neared, the hosts finally got the goal their play deserved. Mark O'Hara's free-kick wasn't properly cleared and Ayunga gathered up the ball, spun and then drilled a fantastic low shot from 20 yards out beyond the grasp of Bratveit to the delight of the majority of the sell-out crowd.

Jonah Ayunga scores the opener (Image: Allan Picken)

The Dons changed their strike force at the break, Olusanya and Kevin Nisbet replacing the booked pairing of Bilalovic and Lazetic with Stuart Armstrong also coming on for Keskinen. The change in personnel and approach certainly made a difference as the visitors were more of a threat without creating much, shouts of handball at a corner leading to nothing following a VAR review before Nisbet blasted a free-kick into the wall, VAR again deciding there'd been no handball despite the appeals from the striker. Another free-kick gave Olusanya a sight of goal when Miguel Freckleton was unable to head the ball clear but the former Buddies favourite sent his own header harmlessly over the bar.

Saints had barely threatened since the interval but Nlundulu nearly added a second as the game entered the final 10 minutes, the sub exchanging passes with Mandron before curling an effort towards he bottom corner that Bratveit turned behind. However, crosses had been Aberdeen's weakness all afternoon and so it proved again from the corner, a pinpoint cross from Scott Tanser being met with a thumping header from Alex Gogic that flew into the net to double Saints' advantage and wrap up all three points.

Alex Gogic celebrates his goal (Image: Allan Picken)

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Aberdeen 

St Mirren: George, Donnelly, Gogic, Freckleton, O'Hara (c), Phillips (Nlundulu 59), Devaney, Campbell, John (Tanser 59), Mandron, Ayunga (Richardson 69)
Subs: Mullen, King, McMenamin, Idowu, Etete, Young

Aberdeen: Bratveit, Jensen (Lobban 79), Milne, Morrison, Molloy, Gyamfi, Shinnie (c) (Cameron 65), Aremu, Bilalovic (Olusanya 46), Keskinen (Armstrong 46), Lazetic (Nisbet 46)
Subs: Mitov, Bwomono, Palaversa, Kjartansson

Referee: Nick Walsh
AR1: Frank Connor
AR2: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson
VAR: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 7,653

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