Saints celebrated lifting the Championship trophy in style as they saw off Morton to reclaim the local bragging rights.
Danny Mullen looked to have set the tone when he scored after just 10 minutes, however any thoughts that this was going to be a romp to victory were dispelled when Michael Doyle after half an hour.
There wasn't much to get excited about in the second half, however a tremendous a classic Saints move conjured up the winner, Gavin Reilly and Cammy Smith combining to release Lewis Morgan to score what could end up being his final Buddies goal.
After making a string of changes for Tuesday night's game against Falkirk, Saints boss Jack Ross fielded a team along more familiar lines. It was pretty much the same side that started against Livingston a week ago, the only change being Stelios starting instead of Adam Eckersley. The visitors started with former Saint Gary Harkins in the team and another ex Buddie on the bench in the shape of John Baird.
Saints started well, Gary MacKenzie heading over from Morgan's cross and Cammy Smith seeing his shot blocked. Michael Tidser fired wide as Morton tried to threaten before Saints took the lead, Morgan sliding a wonderful pass through to Mullen who composed himself before coolly placing the ball past Conor Brennan for the opener.
The champions were in no mood to sit on their lead, Kyle Magennis not really troubling Brennan with a long range shot. Soon after the visitors should have been level, Harkins being given too much time and space as he strode forward before passing to Gary Oliver, who was unlucky to see his 20 yard effort crack against the bar. Stelios looked to have the rebound covered but hadn't realised Oliver was breathing down his neck, the fullback eventually scrambling the ball behind after half-hearted appeals for a penalty. A claim a few minutes later for handball against Magennis also fell on deaf ears.
The game was flying along, Mullen curling a shot past Brennan's far post before Saints lost MacKenzie through injury, Jack Baird taking his place. Morton tried to take advantage of any uncertainty in the backline, Craig Samson doing well to save Harkins' shot. However, seconds later the visitors were level, Doyle heading home at the back post from Frank Ross' cross
Morgan tested Brennan from range as Saints looked to retake the lead, however they almost fell behind when defensive hesitancy let Oliver in but Samson did well to turn the shot behind, Harkins curling an effort over from the corner that followed. Saints hadn't looked great since taking the lead but they threatened just before half-time as Mullen found Cammy Smith, whose shot was turned over by Brennan. Right on half-time Mullen headed against the post but it didn't matter as the flag was already up.
It took the best part of 20 minutes of the second half for something to happen, Morgan going on a trademark run before firing into the side netting from the edge of the box. A dire half was livened up by Saints scoring a cracking counter-attacking goal that was typical of the style of play they have produced all season. Gavin Reilly, who had just replaced Flynn, turned at the half way line and released Cammy Smith, who galloped forward before unselfishly sliding the ball across for the unmarked Morgan who made no mistake as he swept the ball past Brennan. It was a fitting way for the winger to mark his final appearance in Paisley in the black and white stripes and he left the field to a standing ovation when he was later replaced by Myles Hippolyte.
Before that happened Saints almost put the game to bed, Reilly looking particularly keen to score as he was denied by a late challenge from Doyle before flicking the ball over from the resultant corner. Mullen also went close as he got the better of the Morton defence before his shot was saved by Brennan.
In the end, the third never came but it didn't need to, the victory the cherry on the icing on the cake of what has been a fantastic season.
Full Time: St Mirren 2-1 Morton
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, MacKenzie, Davis, Stelios, McGinn, Magennis, Flynn, C.Smith, Morgan, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Baird, Hill, McShane, Hippolyte, Reilly
Morton: Brennan, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie, Doyle, Oliver, Tidser, Harkins, Tiffoney, Ross, Iredale
Subs Not Used: Gaston, Fraser, Langan, Baird, Russell, McHugh, Thomson
Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: David McKniff
Attendance: 6422
