St Mirren were edged out 2-1 by Rangers at The SMiSA Stadium in our first cinch Premiership post-split fixture.

An own goal saw the visitors take a first-half lead, but Mikael Mandron levelled the scores just five minutes later. Saints created a number of chances but were thwarted by Jack Butland in the Rangers goal before Cyriel Dessers scored the winner for Rangers in the final stages of the match.

Stephen Robinson made four changes to the side that lost at Celtic last time out. James Bolton, Ryan Strain, Conor McMenamin and Mikael Mandron came in for Richard Taylor, Elvis Bwomono, Keanu Baccus and Toyosi Olusanya.

The Buddies started brightly and could have opened the scoring inside the first minute with Mandron doing well to steal the ball off a Rangers defender and getting himself in on goal but saw his strike pushed away by Butland.

Mandron was denied by another good stop from the Rangers goalkeeper on eight minutes when his low effort from the angle was pushed away, though it appeared McMenamin was offside in the build-up.

McMenamin had Saints' next opportunity when his low effort from 20 yards deflected off John Souttar and into the arms of Butland. Rangers looked to hit the Buddies on the counter with Fabio Silva making his way into the box, but Alex Gogic did brilliantly to block the strike. Zach Hemming made a good save as he got both hands behind John Lundstram's hit from the edge of the area. The Saints goalkeeper did well three minutes later when he tipped Tavernier's curling effort over. 

After a period of Rangers pressure, it was Saints who came close to breaking the deadlock just before the half hour mark when McMenamin headed over after meeting Mandron's nod across. 

The visitors would take the lead on 32 minutes when Bolton knocked into his own net from close-range. Hemming couldn't get enough on a cross to put it out of play and Mohamed Diomande had sneaked in at the back post to head it across from Dessers who forced home. 

The Buddies drew level just five minutes later when Mandron scored his 11th goal of the season. The French striker got in ahead of Leon Balogun to meet Mark O'Hara's deep cross and headed in off the post to the delight for the 5,000+ home support.

Saints were agonisingly close to taking a lead into the interval only to be denied by a brilliant save from Butland who somehow got a hand out to turn Bolton's effort over.

There wasn't much to write home about in the opening stages of the second 45 with the only real opportunity coming on 64 minutes when O'Hara fired over from inside the area. Stephen Robinson decided to make his first change on 70 minutes when Toyosi Olusanya came on to replace goalscorer Mandron. 

But it was Rangers who took the lead for a second time with just over 15 minutes remaining when Cyriel Dessers met Tavernier's cross at the far post and headed home. 

Saints made two changes immediately after the goal with Lewis Jamieson and James Scott introduced in place of McMenamin and Greg Kiltie. 

Jamieson had an opportunity in the closing minutes of normal time when Saints were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal after Butland cleared the ball but took out Olusanya. The Rangers goalkeeper was booked and Jamieson stepped up to take the free-kick but sent it into the wall. 

Both sides had chances in injury with the immense Gogic making an incredible last-ditch goal-line clearance to deny Rangers a third. Olusanya was then presented an opportunity when he raced into the box down the left-side but was stopped by a big challenge from Balogun. 

The final chances came Saints way with Jamieson's low strike deflected by for a corner from which Bolton saw his effort cleared from the goal-line by Tavernier as the visitors held on for the points. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser, Strain (Brown 84), O'Hara (c), Boyd-Munce (Baccus 84), Tanser, McMenamin (Jamieson 76), Mandron (Olusanya 70), Kiltie (Scott 76)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Dunne, Bwomono

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier (c), Balogun, Souttar, Barisic (Wright 77), Diomande, Lundstram, Cantwell (Lawrence 77), Silva (McCausland 56), Dessers, Sterling
Subs Not Used: McCrorie, Goldson, Dowell, Roofe, Davies, Raskin

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official: Chris Graham
VAR: Don Robertson

Attendance: 6,800

Three second-half goals saw Saints defeated 3-0 at Celtic Park.

After an even first 45 finished goalless, Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah netted after the interval to secure the points for Brendan Rodgers' side. 

There were two changes for the Buddies from the side that lost to Hearts last week. Captain Mark O'Hara returned to the midfield alongside Keanu Baccus who also started. Hyeokkyu Kwon was unable to play against his parent club so he dropped out of the squad while Mikael Mandron dropped to the bench. Toyosi Olusanya led the line with Greg Kiltie playing just off him. 

Saints were forced into an early change when Elvis Bwomono has to be subbed off on 23 minutes. The wing-back had tried to play on after a clash with Hyunjun Yang but a few minutes afterwards realised he couldn't continue and was replaced by Ryan Strain. The Australian went into the book not long after his introduction following a foul on Yang. 

The Buddies had a big opportunity to hit the front on 26 minutes when Olusanya played a dangerous low ball in from the right that found Kiltie. But the forward couldn't get the connection required to guide it beyond Joe Hart. The hosts then broke up the park with Matt O'Riley seeing an effort blocked inside the box. 

Greg Kiltie couldn't get the connection required to take the ball beyond Joe Hart (Image: Allan Picken)

Baccus almost got himself on the end of a Tanser cross with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining, but Celtic goalkeeper Hart managed to get in ahead of the midfielder to punch clear. Two minutes later it was Baccus' countryman Strain who had a decent chance to put Saints in-front when Kiltie's cross from the left drifted all the way to the far end of box where Strain had time to take a touch and hit only for the effort to be cleared by Maik Nawrocki.

Saints made another change at the break as Jaden Brown came on for Tanser. Stephen Robinson was forced into a THIRD change on 50 minutes when Kiltie could no longer continue after colliding with Cameron Carter-Vickers and he was replaced by Lewis Jamieson.

The home side would take the lead on 52 minutes when Hatate fired them in front. The Japanese midfielder had too much space to run on to an Alastair Johnston pass and lashed a quality finish into the top corner with the outside of his foot to break the deadlock. The hosts had a good chance to double that advantage just two minutes later but Yang fluffed his lines from close range and Saints cleared.

After a period of pressure, Saints looked for a way back into the match with Baccus' low ball finding substitute Jamieson in the Celtic box but it was blocked by Nawrocki before Tomoki Iwata managed to launch clear. Just a minute later Kyogo made it 2-0 to Celtic when he got his head on to a Johnston cross and bulleted home from close range. 

Celtic could have added a third before the eventually did in the closing stages. Hemming made a good block at his near post to deny Hatate on 66 minutes before a stunning save to turn substitute Luis Palma's effort over on 78 minutes. 

But the hosts would round off the afternoon with a third in the closing minutes of normal time when substitute Adam Idah netted. Hemming saved O'Riley's low strike after the Denmark international had been teed up by Palma, but the ball spun up in the air for Idah to nod into the net despite Hemming's best efforts to keep the ball out. 

Saints will return to league action in a fortnight - our opponents yet to be determined - with the top-six split fixtures due to be announced in the coming days. 

Full-Time: Celtic 3-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor (Dunne 83), Bwomono (Strain 23), O'Hara (c), Baccus (Scott 83), Boyd-Munce, Tanser (Brown 46), Kiltie (Jamieson 50), Olusanya (Mandron 72)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Bolton, McMenamin

Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki (Welsh 64), Taylor, Iwata (Bernardo 72), Hatate (McGregor 72), O'Riley, Yang (Palma 72), Kyogo (Idah 72), Kühn (Forrest 80)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Lagerbielke, Ralston

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart
VAR: David Dickinson

St Mirren secured a second successive top-six finish despite being beaten by Hearts at a packed and windy SMiSA Stadium.

Storm Kathleen made her presence felt from the word go and both sides were almost blown away in the first half. However, the Jambos led at the break thanks to Jorge Grant's penalty, which came after ref Alan Muir and VAR decided Marcus Fraser had blocked Kenneth Vargas' shot with his arm.

The visitors doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances after the break, Alex Cochrane's corner bouncing about the six-yard box before trundling over the line. Toyosi Olusanya then halved the deficit as he finished his lung-bursting run from the half way line with a composed finish.

Saints thought they would then get the chance to equalise from the spot when Conor McMenamin went down inside the box, however nothing was given despite a lengthy VAR check. However, before full-time news came through that both Hibs and Dundee had lost, meaning the Buddies are sure of their place in the top six regardless of what happens in the final week before the split.

After the teams entered the field to a tremendous reception from the home fans, there was little to get excited about as the fierce wind took its toll. Cammy Devlin shot well wide in the first minute but that was your lot for the first half hour until Kenneth Vargas saw his shot deflected wide off of Fraser. As the players got ready for the corner, the dread words “VAR check” were announced over the tannoy. Ref Alan Muir checked the monitor and decided it had hit Fraser's arm before pointing for a penalty that Jorge Grant was more than happy to fire home.

Fraser tried to make amends with a shot that was deflected away from goal and keeper Zander Clark eventually gathered. Saints looked a bit brighter after going behind but still hadn't created a chance as the half came to a close, which might explain why Stephen Robinson made two changes at the break with Keanu Baccus and McMenamin coming on for Kwon and Bwomono. At the same time, Hearts replaced Stephen Kingsley with Tony Sibbick.

The Jambos could have doubled their advantage within seconds of the restart as the Buddies found themselves caught short at the back, Devlin and Vargas trying their best to exploit the opening before the latter dragged his shot wide. The forward shot wide again after getting the better of the Buddies defence before Saints finally produced a chance of note as the hour mark approached, Olusanya's shot taking a deflection that seemed to have sent it on its way to the bottom corner before Clark produced a great save to keep it out.

Any momentum Saints were building was soon snuffed out. Alex Cochrane's corner was parried out by Zach Hemming, the ball ricocheting off another player before trickling into the net. It was hard to tell who got the final touch but the Hearts fans behind the goal didn't care as they celebrated their side doubling their lead.

Jonah Ayunga and Mark O'Hara were brought on for Mikael Mandron and Greg Kiltie as the Buddies desperately tried to salvage something from the afternoon. They nearly gave themselves some hope almost immediately as Richard Taylor got on the end of a corner but his header went wide. Alan Forrest then saw his shot blocked for a corner as Hearts looked to kill off any hope, but from the set-piece Saints broke, Olusanya outmuscling Dexter Lembikisa at the halfway line and charging forward before calmly slotting past Clark.

Toyosi Olusanya celebrates after a terrific solo goal (Image: Allan Picken)

The Buddies now sniffed a point but nearly undid their good work when Alex Gogic was disposed by Devlin and he burst into the box, but some frantic defending kept out the combined efforts of him and Vargas at the expense of a corner. Taylor was replaced by James Scott before Saints were screaming for a penalty when McMenamin went down inside the box, Mr Muir unmoved. He was then advised by VAR to have a look at the monitor but, despite a lengthy check, stuck with his original decision.

That was to prove Saints' last real chance of the game but results elsewhere ensured the fans were still in a good mood come full-time, results elsewhere ensuring top six football for the second year running – and with a game to spare into the bargain.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Hearts

Report by Stuart Gillespie

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor (Scott 79), Bwomono (McMenamin 46), Kwon (Baccus 46), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Olusanya, Mandron (Ayunga 64), Kiltie (O'Hara 64)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Bolton, Dunne, Brown

Hearts: Clark, Rowles, Kent, Kingsley (Sibbick 46), Cochrane, Tait (Denholm 59), Devlin, Grant (Fraser 86), Lembikisa (Atkinson 73), Vargas, Forrest (McKay 73)
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Oda, Tagawa, Wilson 

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Nick Walsh
VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 7,740

St Mirren picked up a point at Fir Park after Marcus Fraser's first goal since October 2021 was cancelled out by a Theo Bair equaliser for Motherwell.

Fraser's first-half header had Saints ahead, but Bair levelled for the hosts with just over 15 minutes remaining to grab a share of the spoils. 

Ryan Strain returned to the starting eleven as he made his first appearance since November. James Bolton also returned from injury after breaking his hand before the international break, while Toyosi Olusanya came in from the start. That meant Charles Dunne and Conor McMenamin dropped to the bench with Ryan Flynn not in the squad. 

The hosts started brightly and went close to opening the scoring on just four minutes when Georgie Gent got in down Saints right-hand side but saw his low effort pushed on to the post by Zach Hemming. Fraser then made a vital defensive intervention on 10 minutes to ensure Blair Spittal couldn't hit the target after being found on the end of a cut-back. 

But Saints almost hit the front just a minute later when Olusanya used his strength to outmuscle Gent to get his shot away. His effort was blocked by the feet of Liam Kelly before Strain's follow-up was deflected into the 'Well goalkeeper's arms. The Buddies should have gone ahead on 15 minutes when Strain's free-kick cracked off the bar and came back out to Mandron, but he headed on to the bar as well before Motherwell managed to deal with the danger.

Stephen Robinson's side would hit the front three minutes later though when Fraser got his head on the end of a corner to nod beyond Kelly and score his first goal of the season. 

Marcus Fraser celebrates after goal against Motherwell (Image: David Henderson)

Saints could have doubled their lead on 34 minutes after the ball fell kindly in the box to the unmarked Scott Tanser but he fired his effort high and wide. Olusanya then had a big opportunity in the final moments in the half when he was found by Tanser, though he couldn't get enough of a connection on his strike which allowed Kelly to gather. 

It was Olusanya again who had a good chance to extend the lead only to be denied by a brilliant defensive block by Dan Casey that helped turn the ball wide. 

Keanu Baccus and Conor McMenamin were introduced just after the hour mark and the former came so close to making it 2-0 with a curling effort from the edge of the area that went inches by the post. 

Those missed opportunities would come back to bite when Theo Bair levelled the scores on 74 minutes. The Canadian forward managed to get in beyond the Saints defence to tap home a Stephen O'Donnell knock down. 

Saints would look to try and grab a winner with substitute Jonah Ayunga forcing a save from Kelly after a low drive on 80 minutes, but the Buddies would have to settle for a point that keeps us five points clear of seventh place Hibernian heading into the final two matches before the split. 

Full-Time: Motherwell 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton (Taylor 29), Gogic, Fraser, Strain (Bwomono 46), O'Hara (c), Boyd-Munce (Baccus 61), Tanser, Kiltie, Mandron (Ayunga 78), Olusanya (McMenamin 61)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Kwon, Scott

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn, Casey, Devine (Mugabi 64), O'Donnell (Blaney 87), Zdravkovski, Gent, Spittal, Halliday (Miller 64), Vale (Nicholson 84), Bair
Subs Not Used: Oxborough, Shaw, Moses, Ross, Butcher

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Alastair Taylor
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart
VAR: Grant Irvine

St Mirren suffered defeat as Kilmarnock came from behind to take the points and move above Saints in the cinch Premiership.

Goals from Charles Dunne and Mikael Mandron had St Mirren 2-0 to the good at the half-time interval. But four goals in 12 second-half minutes saw Kilmarnock turn the game on its head before David Watson added a fifth with just over 10 minutes remaining to ensure the points remained at Rugby Park.

There were four changes from the side that defeated Aberdeen in our last outing with Elvis Bwomono and James Bolton missing out due to injury and illness. Hyeokkyu Kwon and Lewis Jamieson also dropped to the bench while Charles Dunne, Ryan Flynn, Mark O'Hara and Conor McMenamin came in. 

The Buddies started brightly in front of a 2,500 strong travelling support who were making their voices heard. The first chance fell Saints' way when Mandron met a Caolan Boyd-Munce free-kick. But the striker couldn't get the connection that he would have wanted as he headed wide.

The good start was rewarded on 20 minutes when Dunne scored his first goal for the club. The defender reacted quickest to meet a loose ball from a corner and slammed into the net. 

Charles Dunne scores his first St Mirren goal (Image: Jeff Holmes)

Zach Hemming made a brilliant save with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining when, at full stretch, he touched Marley Watkins' header over. Still it was Saints on top and a handball appeal saw a VAR check for a St Mirren penalty heading into the final few minutes of the half. Nothing was given but from the corner that had resulted, Mandron swept home his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-0 to the delirium of the travelling support. 

The Buddies had a big opportunity to extend that lead early in the second-half when a cross found Mandron in the box but he dragged the effort wide and even though the offside flag was raised, replays appeared to show the striker was onside. 

Kilmarnock pulled a goal back just after the hour mark through their captain Kyle Vassell. His first effort was blocked but he managed to get a second bite at it and squeezed the ball under Hemming to reduce the deficit. 

The hosts then managed to draw themselves level four minutes later when Flynn was penalised for a challenge on Watkins in the box. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the VAR agreed with Danny Armstrong slotting low into the left-hand corner beyond Hemming who has dived the right way but just couldn't keep it out. 

That frustration turned to shock for Saints when Kilmarnock completed their comeback to go ahead on 68 minutes when Watkins headed into the far corner of the net to make it 3-2. 

Vassell added his second and Kilmarnock's fourth five minutes later when he met a long ball from Watkins and fired into the net. And with a little over 10 minutes remaining Watson rounded off the scoring with a solo effort after waltzing through the Saints defence and sliding the ball into the net.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 5-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Flynn (Jamieson 70), O'Hara (c), Boyd-Munce, Tanser (Brown 72), Kiltie (Ayunga 71), Mandron, McMenamin (Olusanya 66)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Baccus, Kwon, Scott

Kilmarnock: Dennis, Watson, Wright, Findlay, Deas (Ndaba 90), Armstrong (Stewart 82), Donnelly, Kennedy (McKenzie 82), Watkins (Van Veen 82), Vassell (Cameron 82)
Subs Not Used: O'Hara, Murray, Balagizi, Mackay-Steven

Attendance: 8,460 (2,481 St Mirren supporters)

It was the late, late, late show from Saints against Aberdeen as they conjured an escape to victory that even Sylvester Stallone would have deemed far fetched.

The Buddies had been behind from the first minute, an absolute screamer of a goal from Connor Barron. But despite Saints dominating the possession and creating chances throughout, it looked like that goal would be enough to give Neil Warnock his first win as Aberdeen manager.

But in added time, Saints were awarded a free-kick for a foul just outside the box on Toyosi Olusanya. Then VAR intervened and, after a lengthy delay, decided the foul had been inside the box. Returning skipper Mark O'Hara was cool, calm and collected from the spot to level things up.

Given the afternoon it had been, the fans would probably have been satisifed with a point but Saints weren't finished. As play resumed, Conor McMenamin flighted a ball into the box, the ball was headed back across goal by Mikael Mandron and Olusanya stabbed it into the roof of the net, sparking scenes of bedlam on the park and around three-quarters of the stadium as no points became a deserved three in the blink of an eye.

The away side hit the front in the opening seconds. The Saints defence seemed to have snuffed out the threat of Duk but the ball found its way to Barron around 30 yards from goal. The visiting support shouted at him to shoot and he duly did, unleashing a thunderbolt that sailed past Zach Hemming into the top corner to give the Dons the best possible start. Watching FIFA president Gianni Infantino would have been impressed.

Greg Kiltie's shot was easily dealt with by Kelle Roos as Saints tried to respond. They could have been level when the Dons goalie tipped Scott Tanser's header onto the post, resulting in a scramble that saw Lewis Jamieson's attempt to smash the ball home deflected wide – the VAR check that followed eventually deciding there was nothing worthy of a penalty.

Hemming got down well to parry Duk's shot as the visitors looked to double their lead before Jamieson went close again, meeting Caolan Boyd-Munce's inviting ball over the top with a tremendous volley that clipped the top of the bar, possibly with a bit of help from Roos. Mikael Mandron then went close with a header before another VAR check came up blank.

Jamieson was replaced by Toyosi Olusanya at the break but it was the Dons who threatened Hoilett drawing a good save from Hemming – although it proved irrelevant as the flag then went up for offside. That wasn't an issue when the ball fell to Graeme Shinnie 20 yards out but the Saints keeper saved easily. A neat passing move from the home side ended with Boyd-Munce picking out Elvis Bwomono but his volley found the side netting seconds before he was replaced by McMenamin, Jonah Ayunga replacing Kiltie at the same time.

Boyd-Munce smashed a shot over when the ball broke to him at the edge of the box before Aberdeen threatened again, Killian Phillips volleying over and Bojan Miovski firing a low free-kick straight at Hemming. Mark O'Hara and Richard Taylor replaced Boyd-Munce and Bolton as Robinson threw his final roll of the dice. Midway through four minutes of stoppage time Saints were awarded a free-kick just outside the box when Devlin fouled Olusanya – only for VAR to get involved for a third time. After what seemed like an eternity, it finally decided the foul had been inside the box. Skipper O'Hara was given responsibility from the spot and slotted it away with aplomb.

The lengthy delay meant four minutes of stoppage time was looking like a pipe dream and Saints took full advantage of the extra minutes. McMenamin crossed a ball to the back post for Mandron to head back across and Olusanya got in front of his man to force it into the net. There were limbs in the stands and scenes on the pitch as every player, including Hemming, celebrated an amazing turnaround.

There were still a few minutes to play but mentally Aberdeen were done, some visiting players sinking to the ground at full-time as the Buddies celebrations really got going.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Aberdeen

By Stuart Gillespie

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton (Taylor 81), Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono (McMenamin 63), Kwon, Boyd-Munce (O'Hara 81), Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 46), Mandron, Kiltie (Ayunga 62)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Brown, Scott

Aberdeen: Roos, Jensen, Gartenmann, MacDonald, Devlin, Barron, Phillips, Shinnie, Hoilett (McGrath 63), Duk (McGarry 64), Miovski
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Milne, Duncan, Clarkson, Polvara, Hayes, Sokler

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: John Stewart
Fourth Official: Calum Scott
VAR: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 7,019

A late Toyosi Olusanya goal grabbed Saints a share of the spoils in Dingwall as the Buddies drew 1-1 with Ross County.

An early Jordan White goal looked to have given the hosts all three points, but substitute Olusanya levelled with less than five minutes of normal time remaining to ensure Saints took a point back to Paisley.

Stephen Robinson named the same starting eleven that defeated St Johnstone on Saturday, while Mark O'Hara returned to the bench following injury in place of Ryan Flynn.

The hosts took an early lead after an uncharacteristic mistake from Alex Gogic on 11 minutes. The defender misplaced his attempted back-pass for Zach Hemming which allowed Jordan White to race on to the ball, round the goalkeeper and knock into the empty net to open the scoring.

County were buoyed by their lead but it was Saints who would have the next opportunity when a deflected strike from Caolan Boyd-Munce on the edge of the area that was well pushed away by goalkeeper George Wickens. 

Saints were seeing more of the ball as they looked for an equaliser. Greg Kiltie played a dangerous ball across the face of the Ross County box on 25 minutes but there were no takers for the Buddies. 

The visitors were denied a stonewall penalty in the final minutes of the first-half when County captain Ryan Leak handled the ball in the box. Hemming's long free-kick floated all the way into the box where Leak's hand was outstretched above his head but both the referee and VAR seemingly missed the incident. 

The Buddies looked to start the second-half quickly with Wickens making a decent save to turn away a curling effort from Lewis Jamieson inside the first minute of the restart. But with not much happening in the opening exchanges of the second 45, the manager made two changes just after the hour mark with Keanu Baccus and James Scott introduced in place of Hyeokkyu Kwon and Kiltie. 

Scott had an opportunity within four minutes of his introduction when he was found by Jamieson on the left-hand side of the box. The forward took a good touch to fashion the chance but saw his hit blocked by Michee Efete.

With just under 20 minutes remaining Saints made a further triple change as Jaden Brown, Toyosi Olusanya and Jonah Ayunga entered the fray with Elvis Bwomono, Jamieson and Mikael Mandron making way. Ayunga had a go from range within 90 seconds of coming on but the low strike drifted harmlessly wide. 

Saints would find an equaliser on 86 minutes when substitute Olusanya got himself in front of Loick Ayina to meet a Baccus header on and showed great composure to knock the ball beyond Wickens. There was a brief VAR check for offside but the goal stood. 

The Buddies should have won it a minute later when Scott was sent clear by Olusanya but he prodded wide of the target with Saints heading back down to Paisley with a point.

Full-Time: Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Header Image by Ken MacPherson

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono (Brown 71), Kwon (Baccus 62), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 71), Mandron (Ayunga 71), Kiltie (Scott 62)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Dunne, O'Hara

Ross County: Wickens, Efete (Brown 85), Ayina, Leak, King, Loturi (Jenks 58), Sheaf (Harmon 85), Reid, Brophy (Sims 69), White, Murray (Henderson 85)
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Baldwin, Khela

Referee: Chris Graham
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Fourth Official: Alastair Grieve
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 3,142 (135 St Mirren supporters)

St Mirren put in a dominant display at the SMISA Stadium defeating St Johnstone 2-0 to collect three valuable points. 

Dimitar Mitov was credited with an own goal midway through the first period to put the hosts in front, before Mikael Mandron sealed the win with 25 minutes remaining in Paisley.

Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the starting eleven which started last week’s Premiership defeat at Livingston. James Bolton returned from suspension in place of Charles Dunne, who dropped to the bench, and Lewis Jamieson came in for James Scott in attack.

Following their home loss to Rangers last Sunday, the visitors made three alterations to their line-up. Kerr Smith replaced Ryan McGowan, while David Keltjens and Connor Smith dropped out in favour of Tony Gallacher and Nicky Clark.

St Mirren produced the first effort of the game on six minutes, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce seeing a strike from the edge of the box easily saved by Mitov in the St Johnstone goal. It was Boyd-Munce once again who threatened next, cutting out a loose ball from Liam Gordon before trying his luck from 20 yards. Gordon recovered to make the block and the visitors managed to clear the danger.

St Johnstone finally sparked into life on 13 minutes, as striker Adama Sidibeh flashed a dangerous cross across the home box from the right flank. Fortunately for Saints, there were no takers and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.

The Perth side began to find their feet in the game, forcing a series of set-pieces, but the St Mirren defence held firm to nullify any threats.

The Buddies had a set-piece opportunity of their own on the half-hour mark, as Jamieson showed quick feet to earn a free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ area. Boyd-Munce stepped up and curled a left-footed strike towards goal but Mitov was able to gather with ease.

Mandron became increasingly influential as the half wore on, and it was the striker who played a key role in breaking the deadlock. Finding himself with acres of room in the St Johnstone half, the Frenchman drove forward unchallenged before releasing a speculative strike from 20 yards. The ball took a nick off Gordon, struck the post and bounced into the net off the back of the despairing Mitov, much to the delight of the 5000+ home fans in the stadium.

The hosts came close to doubling their advantage moments later, but Mandron couldn’t keep his header down following a delightful cross from Greg Kiltie.

Tony Gallacher registered the visitors’ first effort on goal just after the break, but his strike from distance sailed high and wide of Hemming’s goal.

Mitov then produced two instinctive saves in quick succession to keep his side in the contest, first denying Mandron before keeping out Jamieson’s follow-up attempt. The impressive Hyeokkyu Kwon had a shot deflected over the bar on the hour-mark, before Kiltie sent a strike wide of the target from the resulting corner.

The hosts got the crucial second goal on 64 minutes as their pressure eventually paid off. Mandron’s performance was finally rewarded as he found himself with the freedom of Paisley to volley home first-time from the penalty spot after the away defence failed to clear a Scott Tanser shot from range.

Mikael Mandron celebrates Saints' second goal (Image: Allan Picken)

Kwon thought he’d capped what was an excellent display by netting his first goal for the Saints midway through the second period, but his solo effort was ruled out, the referee adjudging the South Korean to have fouled Matt Smith in the build-up following a VAR check.

Hemming was called into action in the closing stages, pulling off a firm save to deny Adama Sidibeh. Matt Smith had time to pick his spot as the ball ran loose, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide.

With seconds remaining, Hemming was alert to swat away a close-range header, but it was the Saints who claimed a clean sheet to remain two points behind fourth-placed Kilmarnock in the cinch Premiership table.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 St Johnstone

By Kevin McKenna

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono, Kwon (Baccus 75), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 75), Mandron (Ayunga 83), Kiltie
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Taylor, Brown, Flynn, Scott

St Johnstone: Mitov, K.Smith (Kucheryavyi 75), Gordon, Considine, Gallacher, M.Smith, Phillips, Carey (Jaiyesimi 63), Robinson, Sidibeh
Subs Not Used: Richards, Olufunwa, Keltjens, C.Smith, Sprangler, May, Kimpioka

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Colin Whyte
VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 5,991

St Mirren were beaten at The Tony Macaroni Arena with a Tete Yengi goal enough to give Livingston the three points. 

It was a frustrating afternoon for Saints who dominated possession, had 21 shots to Livingston's six and would miss a late penalty after a VAR intervention.  

Hyeokkyu Kwon returned to the starting eleven in place of Keanu Baccus while James Scott started ahead of Lewis Jamieson in the only changes from Sunday's Scottish Cup loss to Celtic. Alex Gogic and Greg Kiltie both made it despite being doubtful. 

Saints started the game brightly, but it was the hosts who came closest in the first 20 minutes when Andrew Shinnie's header came off the post, though the offside flag was raised.

Kiltie sent an effort over the bar from 20 yards on 22 minutes, while Stephen Kelly saw a powerful shot from distance pushed away by Zach Hemming. 

Caolan Boyd-Munce threatened twice from long-range with his first effort saved by Shamal George. The ball broke out to James Scott who knocked over from close-range but the offside flag was raised so it wouldn't have couldn't had he scored. Boyd-Munce was close again in the final minute of normal time in the first-half with his low strike from distance went inches by the post. 

The hosts would take the lead when Yengi put them ahead in first-half stoppage time. Ayo Obileye's initial shot from a corner was pushed away by Hemming but the goalkeeper couldn't hold which allowed Yengi to slam home on the follow up.

The manager made a change at the break with Jamieson replacing Scott and the 21-year-old almost made an instant impact when he got on to a loose back pass. He attempted to round the goalkeeper but the ball came back out to Mikael Mandron who laid off for Kiltie on the edge of the area. The forward curled towards the top corner but his effort was headed clear by Michael Nottingham. 

Saints were having all the pressure as they looked for a leveller, forcing a succession of corners after the hour mark but failing to make George work in the Livingston goal. Kwon side-footed wide from just inside the area. 

The Buddies made two changes with just over 20 minutes remaining as Baccus and Toyosi Olusanya on for Kwon and Kiltie. 

And it was Olusanya who looked like he might have helped find Saints a route into the match when he was fouled in the box by David Carson. Referee Euan Anderson didn't give it initially but after a lengthy VAR check the whistler was advised to check the screen where he ended up pointing to the spot. Mandron took the ball but saw his spot-kick saved by George. 

The hosts almost doubled their advantage immediately after the penalty miss when a quick free-kick from Zach Hemming was pounced upon by Stephen Kelly who launched wide from 35 yards with the goal gaping. 

Mandron had a huge chance to grab a point in the final minutes when slid in at the far post to meet a Jamieson cross but he sent the effort the wrong side of the post. 

Full-Time: Livingston 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Dunne, Bwomono (Brown 83), Kwon (Baccus 69), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie (Olusanya 69), Mandron, Scott (Jamieson 46)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Mooney, Penman

Livingston: George, Brandon, Obileye, Nottingham, Sangare, Carson, Kelly (Mackay 83), Holt, Shinnie (Devlin 66), Nouble, Yengi (Guthrie 88)
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Anderson, Kelly, Ledingham, Culbert, Lawal

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: John Stewart
Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
VAR: Kevin Clancy

St Mirren exited the Scottish Cup at the Fifth Round stage after a 2-0 loss at home to Celtic. 

Goals in either half from Kyogo Furushashi and Daizen Maeda saw the holders progress to the last eight despite a valiant effort from Saints. 

There were three changes from the side that defeated Dundee at The SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday night. The suspended James Bolton missed out while Hyeokkyu Kwon was unavailable against his parent team, in came Charles Dunne and Keanu Baccus. James Scott dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Lewis Jamieson. 

Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was Celtic who took the lead on 15 minutes through Kyogo. The Japanese forward took it first time as he met a Luis Palma ball from the left. The strike went through Dunne's legs and squirmed underneath Zach Hemming. 

The Buddies didn't allow themselves to be deflated by the opener and fashioned a good opportunity on 23 minutes after a neat bit of play saw Mikael Mandron dummy Baccus' pass to allow it on to Greg Kiltie. The forward moved into the box but saw his strike blocked by Stephen Welsh.

Saints came so close to a leveller just after the half hour mark when Alex Gogic rattled the cross bar. The defender was first to a Caolan Boyd-Munce corner, brought it down before turning and crashing his strike off the woodwork.

Gogic was agonisingly close to a stunning equaliser in the final minute of the half when his overhead kick was well saved by Joe Hart. 

Celtic doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second-half. A Palma cross found Matt O'Riley unmarked at the back post. His volley came off the bar but Maeda reacted first to the rebound to knock into the net. 

Saints had struggled to get going after the restart and the manager reacted by making two changes with Jaden Brown and James Scott introduced in place of Elvis Bwomono and Lewis Jamieson on 57 minutes. 

The changes seemed to spark the Buddies and Saints should have pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Scott Tanser's brilliant delivery found Kiltie a few yards from goal, but the forward didn't get a clean enough connection and glanced his header wide. Two minutes later Mandron was close when he pinged an effort just by the post from the edge of the area. 

Substitute Scott was unlucky when he got in behind the Celtic defence and struck wide from a tight angle as the game approached its final 20 minutes. That chance came after Baccus had a go from 20 yards that was easily gathered by Hart. But the Buddies just couldn't find a way to get back into the game and exit the cup at the Fifth Round stage. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Dunne, Bwomono (Brown 57), Baccus, Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie (Olusanya 78), Mandron (Ayunga 78), Jamieson (Scott 57)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Mooney, Penman

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Bernabei, McGregor (c), O'Riley, Palma (Yang 62), Maeda (Kuhn 75), Idah (Bernardo 62), Kyogo (Oh 75)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Nawrocki, Tomoki, Vata, Kelly

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger 
VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 4,400