St Mirren drew 1-1 with Dundee United on matchday 38 in the William Hill Premiership.

Jake Young's second-half goal cancelled out Zach Sapsford's first-half strike as Saints attention now turns to next week's Premiership Play-Off contest against Partick Thistle. 

Craig McLeish made five changes to his starting lineup with Thursday night's first-leg at Firhill in mind. That saw 16-year-old Luke Douglas handed his first start, while Jayden Richardson, Roland Idowu, Scott Tanser and Young also came in. Liam Donnelly, Richard King, Jacob Devaney, Killian Phillips and Mikael Mandron dropped to the bench.

Teenage forward Douglas, who would impress throughout the afternoon, created the first opportunity as he forces a good stop from United goalkeeper David Richards on seven minutes. The Arabs' stopper had to be alert to the follow up, pushing Richardson's attempt wide. 

Douglas would have the ball in the net on 18 minutes, but saw the strike ruled out for offside. The forward raced on to a pass from Miguel Freckleton and saw his shot squirm through the hands of Richards before being denied by the linesman's flag. 

It was United who would draw first blood less than 10 minutes later. Sapsford met Max Watters' cross from the right and fired beyond Ross Sinclair to make it 1-1. 

Young looked to get the Buddies back on terms on 34 minutes after a positive run in from the left channel, but the forward's shot was blocked by Richards from a tight angle. Alex Gogic let fly from long-range as we headed into the final five minutes of the half with Richards having to get a strong hand on it to tip over the bar. 

Craig McLeish made a double substitution at half-time with the introduction of Devaney and Thomas Falconer in place of Mark O'Hara and Freckleton. 

Douglas was close to equalising six minutes after the restart when he was found in space by Marcus Fraser. The striker's curling effort going just wide of target. The 16-year-old again looked to be Saints' biggest threat aand he forced a two-handed save from Richards with another curled attempt from 20 yards. A minute later the Buddies would find themselves on terms. It was Young with the strike from the edge of the area that deflected beyond Richards to score his third goal for the Buddies and make it 1-1.

Douglas, who would have another attempt on 77 minutes which Richards held, would be replaced by another Saints youth academy prospect as he made way for Caiden McMillan on 85 minutes. The youngster left the field of play to a standing ovation from the Buddies faithful after an impressive showing on his first start. Saints almost found a winner with two minutes remaining and it was youth academy graduate Falconer who was almost the hero. His lovely footwork saw his open up space and play a one-two with Allan Campbell before cracking a low strike off the post. 

In the final minutes, Idowu would force a save from Richards a minute before a Gogic overhead kick was blocked on the line as the Buddies had to settle for a share of the spoils on the final day of the league campaign. All focus now turns to our trip to Maryhill on Thursday night when we take on Partick Thistle as we aim to preserve our top flight status. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Dundee United

St Mirren: Sinclair, Fraser (King 66), Gogic, Freckleton (Falconer 46), Richardson, Idowu, Campbell, O'Hara (c) (Devaney 46), Tanser (Calvin 66), Douglas (McMillan 85), Young
Subs: Tamosevicius, Donnelly, Phillips, Mandron

Dundee Utd: Richards, Strain (Constable 66), Keresztes, Cleall-Harding (Eskesen 59), Graham (c), Gilligan, Sevelj, Camara, Sibbald (Esselink 74), Sapsford (Stirton 74), Watters (Russell 59)
Subs: Adams, Naamo, Mudie

Referee: Steven McLean
AR1: Scott Anderson
AR2: Gordon McCabe
VAR: Duncan Williams

St Mirren picked up three points at Pittodrie but will have to face a play-off to secure our status in the William Hill Premiership after Kilmarnock defeated Dundee at Rugby Park.

Goals from Richard King and Killian Phillips saw the Buddies defeat Aberdeen 2-0 in the Granite City and give us a morale boosting victory. 

Craig McLeish was able to welcome back Alex Gogic from suspension, while King also came in from the start in the two changes to the lineup that was defeated by Kilmarnock on Saturday. Conor McMenamin missed out with injury and Roland Idowu dropped to the bench. 

Saints made a positive start in the Granite City and should have been ahead on nine minutes with the first opportunity of the match. Phillips whipped the ball down the right-hand side for Mikael Mandron who showed great strength to out-muscle Mats Knoester. The forward returned the ball to Phillips who was in acres of space on the edge of the area. But the Irishman dragged the attempt wide of the left-hand post when he should have hit the target. 

That was the only opportunity in what was a drab opening 40 minutes, but the Saints would hit the front before the interval. Mark O'Hara's slid a quick free-kick through to Jacob Devaney down the right-hand side. The loanee sent a brilliant low ball to the back post where it met defender King who fired into the net to break the deadlock. 

Aberdeen fired an early warning shot a little over a minute after the restart. Substitute Lyall Cameron lifted a ball over the top for ex-Saint Toyosi Olusanya to race on to. The striker burst forward and looked like he'd have a clear chance on goal, only for Gogic to get in ahead of him to toe the ball behind. 

The Dons, who offered little in the opening 45, showed a little more intent after the restart with Stephen Robinson's men forced a number of corners, but it was the Buddies who'd have the first clear cut chance in the second-half on 57 minutes. Phillips slipped the ball through for Mandron who raced in on goal, but his effort didn't have the power behind it and made it a fairly routine stop for Aberdeen stopper Per Kristian Bratveit. 

Ross Sinclair was tested for the first time a minute later when he was forced to block Mitchel Frame's powerful strike from the angle. Aberdeen had another opportunity to pull themselves level on 62 minutes when Olusanya got the better of his former teammate Gogic and laid it on a plate for Kevin Nisbet who took it first time but ballooned high and wide. 

Saints added a second with 10 minutes remaining. Geiger fouled Phillips on the edge of the area and that presented the Buddies with a good free-kick opportunity. It was Gogic who stepped up to take and the Cypriot cracked his effort off the cross bar. O'Hara showed great determination to win it back which allowed Mandron to send the ball across for Phillips to bundle home and ensure three points would head back to Paisley.

While it wasn't enough to see us avoid the play-offs, there will be plenty of positives to take into them after a fighting performance that showed Saints' quality.

Full-Time: Aberdeen 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Sinclair, Fraser, Gogic, Donnelly, King, O'Hara (c), Devaney, Campbell, Freckleton, Phillips (Douglas 90), Mandron
Subs: Tamosevicius, Richardson, Duff, Tanser, Falconer, Idowu, Calvin, Young

Aberdeen: Bratveit, Devlin (c) (Lobban 68), Knoester, Morrison (Milne 46), Molloy, Frame, Aremu (Cameron 46), Geiger (Shinnie 79), Palaversa, Olusanya, Nisbet (Keskinen 68)
Subs: Suman, Bwomono, Bilalovic, Kjartansson

Referee: David Dickinson
AR1: Graeme Stewart
AR2: Chris Rae
Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 15,638

St Mirren are the CAS Elite U19s League Cup winners for 2026 after a penalty shoot-out victory over Hibernian. 

The young Buddies prevailed 5-4 on spot-kicks after the two sides couldn't be separated following 90 minutes. Billy Hutchison scored the decisive penalty in sudden death to secure the trophy for Saints who thoroughly deserve to be heading home as cup winners. 

Grant Tamosevicius, who would save the first penalty in the shoot-out, was forced into an important double save inside the first three minutes of the match at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie. The Saints stopper was down well to push away a powerful effort from Jamie McMurdo before quickly reacting to the follow up.

90 seconds later it was the Buddies who carved out their first opportunity of the match with Josh Farquhar curling over the bar from 20 yards. 

Lewis Hodgkiss put the ball in the net on 11 minutes as he slid in to meet a low ball in from the left side. But the midfielder's celebrations were cut short by the linesman's offside flag.

Thomas Falconer came close to giving Saints the lead twice within the space of a minute. His first effort on 22 minutes came when he met a cut back and cracked his attempt off the inside of the post. A minute after, the left wingback met Farquhar's low cross at the back post, but could only fire into the side-net.

Hibernian almost hit the front on 38 minutes when a corner floated to the edge of the area from Josh McDonald met Logan Jimenez in plenty of space. The forward got a strong head on it as it crashed off the top of the cross bar. 

The Hibees would take the lead heading into the interval. Owen Calder was fouled inside the area by Callum Penman and that allowed McMurdo to net from 12 yards despite a strong hand from Tamosevicius almost turning it away.

It felt harsh for the young Saints who had played well in the opening half. They started with renewed vigour after the restart with Hodgkiss heading Lyle Hunter's header over inside the first minute of the second 45. 

Saints would draw themselves level four minutes into the second-half. A ball to the back post met Billy Hutchison and he cracked a vicious strike high into the net to equalise. 

Lyle Hunter wasn't far away from putting the young Buddies ahead two minutes after when he whipped a shot just wide of the right-hand post from 20 yards. Theo McCormick was next to go close after a perfect pass from Hodgkiss sent the striker in on goal. His low strike was denied by the foot of Hibernian goalkeeper Ryan Mallon. Mallon was called into action again a minute later when a powerful from Falconer inside the areas stung the palms of the shot stopper. 

The Buddies made their first change of 66 minutes when Luke Douglas, who made his first team debut on Saturday, replaced Farquhar. That was followed by Ben Stoddart's introduction in place of Callum Penman six minutes later. 

Saints hunted for a winner and were presented with a good free-kick opportunity on the edge of the area on 81 minutes when Douglas was hauled down as he looked to race clear on goal. Jack Lavery sent his effort round the wall but could only put it into the arms of Mallon. 

Penalties would be required to separate the two sides with Hibernian stepping up first. Tamosevicius was level to Lewis Gillie's effort which allowed Lavery to give Saints an early advantage. Josh McDonald scored for Hibernian before captain Carrick McEvoy, player of the match on the night, cheekily stroked home a panenka to maintain our lead.

Lewis McNeil and McMurdo netted for Hibernian while Innes Clark and Struan Thompson also made no mistake going into penalty five. Logan Jimenez had to score to keep Hibs in it and duly did. Douglas had the opportunity to win it for Saints but cannoned his attempt off the bar to take it to sudden death. 

Zach Bruce fired high over the bar for the Edinburgh side and Hutchison made himself the hero for the Buddies to see the U19s emulate the first-team in winning silverware this season. 

Full-Time: St Mirren U19s 1-1 Hibernian U19s (St Mirren win 5-4 on penalties)

St Mirren U19s: Tamosevicius, Penman (Stoddart 72), Hutchison, Clark, Falconer, Hunter (Freel 85), McEvoy (c), Hodgkiss (Thompson 85), Farquhar (Douglas 66), Lavery, McCormick
Subs: Innes, McMillan, Kiely

Hibernian U19s: Mallon, McSporran, Gillie, McNeill, McGrath (c) (Riddell 42), Bruce, Cleland (Downie 78), McMurdo, Jimenez, McDonald, Calder
Subs: Brown, Burns, Thomson

Saints' hopes of avoiding the play-offs were dealt a massive blow as they lost to Kilmarnock at The SMiSA Stadium.

The visitors took an early lead when Miguel Freckleton's attempt to stop Tom Lowery's cross reaching Joe Hugill sent the ball towards goal, with Conor McMenamin unable to prevent it crossing the line. The Buddies should have equalised towards the end of a frustrating first half but skipper Mark O'Hara was denied by visiting goalie Max Stryjek.

Things went from bad to worse within 30 seconds of hostilities being resumed, Findlay Curtis pouncing on some slack play to double Killie's lead. There was little by way of a Saints response and Curtis doubled his tally midway through the half to wrap up all three points for the Ayrshire side.

Marcus Fraser made his first Saints appearance since breaking his collarbone against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup in March. He was joined in defence by Liam Donnelly, with Conor McMenamin the other change to the side which lost in Dundee last week. Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser and Richard King were the trio dropping to the bench. There was one change for Killie as Dominic Thompson replaced Bruce Anderson. Greg Kiltie started, with fellow ex-Saint Kyle Magennis on the bench.

Saints made a bright start but it was the visitors who took the lead with their first attack of note. Tom Lowery flighted the ball to the back post for Joe Hugill and Miguel Freckleton's attempt to cut it out inadvertently diverted it towards goal, McMenamin on the line unable to keep it out. Despite a VAR check for handball the goal stood and, to make things worse, McMenamin had picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Tanser.

The Buddies struggled to recover from that setback, much to the frustration of the home crowd. Some trickery from Roland Idowu on the left allowed him to fire in a cross-come-shot that Max Stryjek was unable to hold but it was a brief glimmer of light in a disappointing first half. Killie threatened again on the counter when a Saints attack broke down after ref Don Robertson got in Idowu's way, Kiltie crossing for Lowery whose header drew a fine save from Ross Sinclair, although the flag then went up for offside.

Saints should have been level five minutes before the break, Tanser delivering a trademark cross that the unmarked Mark O'Hara met on the volley but Stryjek blocked with his legs. Allan Campbell then had a shot deflected, the hosts finally coming to life as the half came to a close.

Jake Young and Jayden Richardson replaced Campbell and O'Hara at the break, but within seconds of the restart Saints lost possession and the alert Findlay Curtis pounced to slot past Sinclair to double the visitors' advantage. The hosts should have cut the deficit a few minutes later when the ball broke to Killian Phillips but he sent it wide, his claims he'd been fouled falling on deaf ears.

Killie looked by far the more threatening side and sub David Watson should have done better than head straight at Sinclair. With Saints committing bodies forward they were looking increasingly vulnerable on the break, with Hugill able to charge forward and get in a shot that Freckleton deflected over the bar, Aaron Tshibola not far away from the resultant corner. Curtis then passed up a great chance at the back post but soon made amends when he slammed home the third to put the game beyond doubt.

Youngster Luke Douglas was handed his debut with 15 minutes left and almost managed a goal, but as the game entered the last 10 minutes Killie nearly added a fourth, only a last gasp clearance from Donnelly stopping Tshibola finding the net and adding insult to injury.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-3 Kilmarnock

St Mirren: Sinclair, Fraser, Donnelly, Freckleton, O'Hara (c) (Young 46), Phillips, Devaney, Campbell (Richardson 46), McMenamin (Tanser 14, King 69), Idowu (Douglas 74), Mandron
Subs: Tamosevicius, Duff, Falconer, Calvin

Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Schjonning-Larsen (Mayo 54), Stanger, Deas (c), Thompson, Lowery, Tshibola, Kiltie (McKenzie 79), Curtis (Magennis 87), Clescenco (Watson 46), Hugill (Anderson 79)
Subs: Wright, Williams, Watkins, Polworth

Referee: Don Robertson
AR1: Calum Spence
AR2: Chris Rae
Fourth Official: Lloyd Wilson
VAR: Andrew Dallas

St Mirren slipped into the relegation play-off spot after a defeat to Dundee at Dens Park. 

An early first-half goal from Joe Westley was enough to secure the points for the Dark Blues to see them move six ahead of Saints who dropped into 11th after Kilmarnock's win over Dundee United. 

Interim manager Craig McLeish was forced into three changes with Alex Gogic suspended and Declan John and Jonah Ayunga missing out through injury. Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser and Roland Idowu came in to replace them. 

The Buddies were the team pressing the game in the early stages, but it was Dundee who fashioned the first opportunity to test the goalkeeper on 10 minutes. Yan Dhanda was allowed time and space to drive forward and he sent a low effort into the arms of Ross Sinclair.

The hosts got themselves in front two minutes later. Richard King's back pass was pounced upon by Simon Murray. He fed it to Cameron Congreve who worked his way out to right before sending a cross that met Westley. The attacker flicked into net via a nick off the far post. Dundee almost had a second when a Dhanda cross came off the head of Mikael Mandron and crashed off the bar. 

There was a brief VAR check for a St Mirren penalty four minutes before the interval when O'Hara looked to be impeded by Tony Yogane, but nothing was given. 

Saints showed a renewed sense of urgency at the beginning of the second 45. Mandron struck into the arms of Jon McCracken, while Richardson forced a strong save from the Dundee stopper two minutes later with a powerful shot from 20 yards. 

Mandron came agonisingly close to drawing the Buddies level on 57 minutes. The forward got himself on the end of an Allan Campbell cross, but nodded just by the far post. 

With 20 minutes to go, Idowu did brilliantly to beat his man on the left and keep the ball in at the byline. He made his way into the box and had O'Hara as an option but elected to go alone and fired into the side net. Idowu then fired into the arms of Dundee's substitute goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara, who had to replace the injured Jon McCracken, three minutes later. 

Saints introduced Conor McMenamin, Marcus Fraser and Jake Young as we searched for a leveller, but it was Dundee who almost grabbed a second on the counter in the first of seven minutes of injury time. Illmari Samuels' cross met the head of fellow sub Ashley Hay with Sinclair doing brilliantly to turn it behind. 

Full-Time: Dundee 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Sinclair, Richardson, King, Freckleton, Tanser (Fraser 84), O'Hara (c) (McMenamin 80), Devaney, Campbell, Phillips, Idowu (Young 84), Mandron
Subs Not Used: Tamosevicius, Duff, McMillan, Falconer, Calvin, Douglas

Dundee: McCracken (O'Hara 67), Halliday, Astley, Graham, Wright (Samuels 88), Hamilton, Dhanda, Westley (Hay 75), Congreve, Yogane (Koumetio 88), Murray (c) (Robertson 75)
Subs Not Used: Reilly, Cotterill, Bevan, Jones

Referee: Steven McLean
AR1: Chris Rae
AR2: Gordon McCabe 
VAR: Nick Walsh

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