Saints recorded their first league win of 2023 thanks to Curtis Main's first half goal against Motherwell.
The Steelmen are the only visiting side to have won in Paisley in the league this season and hadn't lost at Greenhill Road since May 2015. Back then, a late Stevie Mallan screamer proved the difference and while Main's close range effort wasn't as spectacular, it was just as effective as it proved enough for all three points despite a late scare.
Saints boss Stephen Robinson rang the changes against his old side with Greg Kiltie taking over from the suspended Keanu Baccus and Ethan Erhahon returning to midfield as Alex Gogic dropped back into defence at the expense of Declan Gallagher, while Alex Greive replaced Jonah Ayunga upfront. Former Buddie Paul McGinn started in defence for the visitors.
Scott Tanser threatened early on for Saints after Gogic's long ball caused problems in the visiting defence, the Cypriot international then needed at the other end to block Stuart McKinstry's shot following some some neat passing play. It was an even better ass that led to the opener, a throw in finding Ryan Strain in space and Curtis Main forced his way in front of his man to poke the low cross past Liam Kelly.
Curtis Main scores the only goal of the game (Image: Allan Picken)
There were worries the lead wouldn't last for long after some wrestling between Charles Dunne and Ricki Lamie at a Motherwell corner was followed by a VAR check but for once the normally inevitable penalty wasn't awarded. A foul on Erhahon just outside the box gave Saints a chance to double their lead but Strain's free-kick was straight at 'Well keeper Liam Kelly. The only other chance of note in a drab opening 45 minutes came when Marcus Fraser skipped down the right and delivered a decent cross but Tanser couldn't find the target.
Motherwell looked to make a quick start to the second half, Lamie not far away with a header from a corner. There was plenty of endeavour from both sides but action in the final third, Fraser doing well to snuff out the threat of Ollie Crankshaw as the visitors tried to break from a Saints free-kick. Saints goalie Trevor Carson was finally called into action with a good save to deny Max Johnston's low drive, then getting up quickly to smother the loose ball before the lurking Kevin van Veen could force it home, the keeper receiving a dunt for his efforts that required some treatment before he could continue.
The same, unfortunately, could not be said for Jonah Ayunga. The forward had replaced Greive but was unable to continue after coming off worse in a challenge with Shane Blaney, paving the way for youngster Kieran Offord to make his first appearance following his return from Alloa. Chances remained at a premium, Main dragging a shot wide, before some drama in stoppage time.
The injuries and substitutions led to six minutes of injury time and midway through them Motherwell almost drew level. A cross from the Motherwell left caused Saints problems and McKinstry looked set to equalise only to be denied by a tremendous save from Carson, Saints players then flinging themselves in the way to keep out Callum Slattery's follow up and ensure the points stayed in Paisley.
Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Motherwell
St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Strain (Gallagher 87), Kiltie (Flynn 87), Erhahon, O'Hara (c), Tanser, Greive (Ayunga 60, Offord 79), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, R.Taylor, Kenny, F,Taylor, Jamieson
Motherwell: Kelly, Johnston, Blaney, Lamie, McGinn, Spittal (Crankshaw 56), Slattery, Goss (Cornelius 89), Shields (Tierney 56), Van Veen, McKinstry
Subs Not Used: Oxborough, O'Donnell, Johansen, Dunachie, Ross
Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Fourth Official: Colin Steven
VAR: Grant Irvine
Assistant VAR: Alan Mulvanny
