A late Hearts equaliser left St Mirren sickened with Saints having to settle for a point in the cinch Premiership following Lawrence Shankland's injury-time penalty. 

The Buddies led 2-0 at half-time thanks to first-half goals from Joe Shaughnessy and Ryan Strain, but Josh Ginnelly pulled a goal back with just over 15 minutes remaining. Hearts were then reduced to 10 men when Peter Haring was shown a straight red card on 77 minutes. The drama didn't end there though with the visitors awarded a spot-kick in the final minute which Shankland slammed down the minute to grab a share of the spoils. 

Stephen Robinson made two changes from the side that lost narrowly at Hibernian last weekend. Joe Shaughnessy and Richard Taylor came in for Declan Gallagher and Charles Dunne. 

Saints made a bright start to the game with Strain firing into the arms of Zander Clark from distance after a neat spell of play on 19 minutes before Alex Greive saw an effort brilliantly blocked by Hearts defender Toby Sibbick on 25 minutes. Two minutes later, Alex Gogic had the ball in the net when he finished off from a flick-on, but the linesman's flag denied Saints the opener with Greive offside when Strain's free-kick was swung in. 

The opener would come for Saints though as we took the lead on 36 minutes when Joe Shaughnessy scored his first goal of the season. The captain was on hand to steer home Gogic's header to the delight of the home support. 

Joe Shaughnessy put us ahead with his first goal of the season (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints were in control and should have added a second with two minutes of normal time remaining in the first-half. Greive sprang the offside trap and charged forward before sliding in Curtis Main whose powerful strike was beaten away by Clark. But the second would come before the interval with Strain firing in direct from a free-kick from 25 yards after Mark O'Hara had been fouled by James Hill. 

After an uneventful start to the second-half in which Hearts were seeing far more of the ball, but not creating anything, Saints came agonisingly close to a third just after the hour mark when a blistering strike from Strain was expertly pushed over the bar by Clark. The Jambos goalkeeper was to the rescue for the away side again less than a minute later when he made another super stop to push away a Greg Kiltie header. 

Those missed opportunities would come back to bite the Buddies when Hearts pulled a goal back on 73 minutes. Josh Ginnelly was at the back post to knock Nathaniel Atkinson's low ball in from the right into the net to make for a nervous finish to the match. 

Hearts were reduced to 10 men four minutes after their goal when Peter Haring was shown a straight red after he scythed down O'Hara as the Saints midfielder looked to break. The visitors were furious at the decision from referee David Dickinson despite a VAR check confirming the sending off. 

Substitute Thierry Small came close to wrapping up the points when he was slipped in by fellow sub Lewis Jamieson, but once again Clark was there to make a big save with his feet. 

And the misses would prove costly when Hearts won a penalty in the final minute of injury time when Ginnelly went down in the box under a challenge from Ryan Flynn. Shankland stepped up and slammed down the middle to secure his side a point and leave Saints gutted. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-2 Hearts

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), R.Taylor (Dunne 46), Strain, Kiltie (Jamieson 84), O'Hara, Gogic, Tanser (Small 84), Greive (Baccus 55), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Gallagher, Small, Flynn, Boyd-Munce, Offord

Hearts: Clark, Hill (Kio 75), Sibbick, Rowles, Haring, Devlin (Grant 61), Halliday (Atkinson 46), Oda (Forrest 81), McKay, Shankland, Ginnelly
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Neilson, Tait, Wilson, Kuol

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger
VAR: Alan Newlands
Assistant VAR: Graham McNeillie

Attendance: 7,238

St Mirren were defeated 2-1 by Hibernian in the first post-split fixture with an Alex Greive strike not enough for Saints to take anything against the Edinburgh outfit.

Two early first-half goals had the Hibees in control though Saints pulled one back in the second-half through New Zealand forward Greive. The Buddies pressed for an equaliser but couldn't find it and left a rain-soaked Easter Road empty-handed.

There were three changes to the side that lost to Kilmarnock before the split with Declan Gallagher, Greg Kiltie and Alex Greive in for Joe Shaughnessy, Keanu Baccus and Tony Watt. 

The home side got themselves off to the ideal start when Elie Youan put them ahead on four minutes. It was a cheap goal to concede from a Saints perspective as Marcus Fraser couldn't control Charles Dunne's throw-in in the middle of the park which allowed Youan to gather before racing clear and slotting low beyond Trevor Carson.

Hibernian were buoyed by their early goal, but it was Saints who'd go close to levelling on 12 minutes when Mark O'Hara sent an effort just over the bar after being first on to an Alex Greive header.

The hosts doubled their lead on 24 minutes and it was another disappointing goal for the Buddies to lose. Will Fish was unmarked at the back post after Joe Newell's corner had missed everyone initially before finding the Hibees defender on his own at the back stick to nod into the net and make it 2-0.

Both sides had a chance within the space of a minute with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining. Ryan Strain's long-range strike was held by David Marshall before Hibs went up the other end of the park in search of a third with Carson making a terrific save with his feet to deny Youan at the near post. 

Stephen Robinson responded to the first-half showing by making a change at the break with Keanu Baccus coming on for Declan Gallagher.  

Saints started the second-half better but hadn't created any real chances within 10 minutes of the restart. And it was Hibs who had the best chance to increase their lead when Kevin Nisbet met Chris Cadden's low cross, but knocked over from close-range. 

The Buddies should have had a goal back just after the hour mark when Strain's cross deflected into the path of the unmarked Curtis Main. Had the striker managed to get a proper connection on the ball it would have found the net, but he could only get the faintest of touches which allowed Hibs goalkeeper Marshall to hold. 

However, St Mirren would pull one back four minutes later with Main the provider as he flicked Carson's long kick on for Greive who burst through and knocked through Marshall's legs to reduce the deficit. 

Saints pressed for an equaliser with Lewis Jamieson coming on for goalscorer Greive and the St Mirren Youth Academy graduate was close to drawing us level in the final few minutes when he drilled an effort into the side-netting on 89 minutes. 

It wasn't to be for the Buddies who return to action at The SMiSA Stadium next Saturday against Hearts. 

Full-Time: Hibernian 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher (Baccus 46), Dunne, Strain, Kiltie, O'Hara (c), Gogic, Tanser, Greive (Jamieson 82), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Shaughnessy, R.Taylor, Kenny, Flynn, Boyd-Munce, Offord

Hibernian: Marshall (c), Hanlon, Fish, Egan-Riley, Cadden (Miller 90), Jeggo, Doyle-Hayes (Campbell 30), Newell, Stevenson, Youan (Hoppe 90), Nisbet
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Cabraja, Devlin, Henderson, McKirdy, Rocky

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Fourth Official: Chris Fordyce
VAR: Euan Anderson
Assistant VAR: Daniel McFarlane

Attendance: 16,334

Header image by Kenny Ramsay

It's not often that a team loses a crunch game and yet the afternoon ends with their fans in party mode – but that's exactly what happened in Paisley this afternoon.

Saints knew a point against Kilmarnock – a team that hasn't won away from home all season – would be enough to secure their best league finish since 1985. But why do things the easy way when you can do them the St Mirren way?

As much as the Buddies wanted to secure a coveted top six spot under their own steam, they also knew results elsewhere would do the job if they lost to the Ayrshire side. Unfortunately, first half goals from Liam Donnelly and Kyle Vassell meant the Paisley faithful were hoping for favours elsewhere far earlier than they'd have liked – Thierry Small's second half red card pretty much ending hopes of a comeback.

Given what was at stake for both sides, it wasn't too surprising that the opening 10 minutes or so were slightly nervy. Saints goalie Trevor Carson saved easily from David Watson, while at the other end Alex Gogic headed Scott Tanser's corner well over. Kyle Vassell then had a shot across goal that went out for a throw, however next time around he brilliantly held the ball up before sliding it through the defence for the on-rushing Liam Donnelly to thump past Carson.

Saints looked for a quick response, Keanu Baccus being flattened inches outside the box as he shaped to shoot. The free-kick was taken short to Gogic who hammered it towards goal but it was blocked by the Killie defence. The visitors were pushing for a second, Carson saving from Vassell before the forward headed wide after a throw in had been flicked on. Instead, it was his strike partner who doubled the lead, Daniel Armstrong hanging up a cross for Christian Doidge whose header hit the post before finding the net.

The home support were stunned and desperately needed something to cheer, Tony Watt eventually blazing over after Killie failed to deal with Joe Shaughnessy's long throw as a disappointing first half came to a close. It was little surprise that boss Stephen Robinson decided to ring the changes at the break, Greg Kiltie and Thierry Small coming on for Baccus and Scott Tanser.

However, Killie almost added a third within seconds of the restart, Watson crossing for Rory McKenzie who met it perfectly only for Carson to pull off a tremendous save. Former Saint Alan Power then shot wide from distance before visiting goalie Sam Walker was finally called into meaningful action, saving easily from Ryan Strain after the fullback had got the better of his man.

An injury to Charles Dunne brought his afternoon to a premature end, the Saints boss switching things up replacing him with Alex Greive, but it was one his fellow subs who would have a meaningful impact – and not in a good way. Small was frustrated that a throw in decision went against him and threw the ball down in disgust, earning himself a booking. After Killie took the throw, the on loan fullback then hauled back Watson, leaving ref Willie Collum with little option but to show him his second yellow card in the space of 14 seconds.

Scott Robinson, who'd replaced the injured Vassell, thought he'd added the third only for team-mate Armstrong to get in the way of his shot. The final throw of the Saints dice saw Watt and Gogic replaced by Kieran Offord and Declan Gallagher before former Saints loanee Jordan Jones curled a shot wide as Killie looked to remove any lingering doubts about where the points were headed.

It was a day with little for the home support to cheer – but with five minutes left it was party time. News came through that Dundee United had doubled their lead against Livingston and the pressure was off. Barring a ridiculous turnaround at Tannadice – which thankfully never came – Saints' place in the top six was secure. Normally, the final whistle in a 2-0 defeat would be greeted by boos but this time around - in front of a record capacity crowd of 7,937 at the SMiSA Stadium - there were cheers – and even a lap of honour from the players. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Kilmarnock

There was a record crowd of 7,937 at the SMiSA Stadium this afternoon (Image: Jeff Holmes)

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne (Greive 63), Strain, Baccus (Kiltie 46), O'Hara, Gogic (Gallagher 81), Tanser (Small 46), Watt (Offord 81), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, R.Taylor, Flynn, Boyd-Munce

Kilmarnock: Walker, Mayo, A. Taylor, Chambers, Armstrong, Donnelly, Power (c), Watson, McKenzie (Jones 76), Vassell (Robinson 72), Doidge (Lyons 70)
Subs Not Used: Hemming, Dorsett, Albeiosu, Alston, McInroy

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Stewart Luke
VAR: Steven Kirkland
Assistant VAR: Jonathan Bell

Attendance: 7,937 

A Mark O'Hara brace wasn't enough for Saints to take anything at Ibrox as three late Rangers goals gave the hosts all three points.

O'Hara struck twice either side of half-time to bring us level, but two goals in two minutes from Alfredo Morelos in the final 10 minutes as well as a Scott Arfield finish gave Rangers the win. 

Boss Stephen Robinson made two changes to the side that defeated Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle last weekend. Keanu Baccus dropped out of the squad altogether with a niggling knee injury to be replaced by Greg Kiltie, while Scott Tanser started in place of Thierry Small. 

Rangers were awarded a penalty kick with just four minutes on the clock. Alex Gogic was penalised for a trip on Nicolas Raskin and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot. The Ibrox side had been awarded penalties in both their previous games with the Buddies this season with James Tavernier scoring on both occasions, but this time the Rangers captain was denied by a brilliant Trevor Carson save. The Saints stopper dived to his right to push away the effort and despite a check for a retake none was forthcoming. 

Saints forced a succession of corners a couple of minutes later but nothing came of them other than a 20 yard effort from Greg Kiltie that went well over. 

The home side were dominating the bulk of the possession and had their best chance on 26 minutes when Fashion Sakala managed to wriggle clear of Marcus Fraser and get his shot away, but Carson did well to beat away the effort. The hosts would take the lead a minute later though when Todd Cantwell knocked Tavernier's low ball from the right in off the bar. There was a VAR check for offside but the goal stood. 

The Buddies passed up a brilliant opportunity to go level when Kiltie robbed Ben Davies of the ball and drove forward but the Saints midfielder couldn't pick out Curtis Main who would have been one-on-one with Allan McGregor. Saints had another decent chance three minutes later when Kiltie shot straight at McGregor from 20 yards. 

Charles Dunne made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Rangers a second with five minutes of the half remaining. The hosts had players queuing up at the back post to meet Sakala's low ball across from the right, but the Saints defender got in just ahead of those waiting to pull the trigger. 

Saints drew level in first-half stoppage time when Mark O'Hara scored his 11th goal of the season with a stunning volley. The midfield man controlled Kiltie's cross and it sat up beautifully for him to lash a super strike into the top corner via the post. 

Mark O'Hara celebrates in front of the away support after drawing us level at Ibrox (Image: Allan Picken)

Rangers retook the lead just three minutes after the restart when Sakala headed home a Borna Barisic free-kick. Carson was then called into action twice in the space of a few minutes when he punched away a Tavernier free-kick that was heading for the top corner before clawing away Raskin's 20 yard effort. 

The manager made two changes on 63 minutes when he introduced Small and Alex Greive in place of Tanser and Tony Watt. Two minutes later Saints were level a second time and once again it was O'Hara who got the equaliser. Small fed the ball wide to Strain whose cross was deflected high into the air. The Rangers defence couldn't clear their lines and O'Hara was on hand to finish from just inside the Gers box to make it 2-2.

Rangers made a triple substitution as Glen Kamara, Ianis Hagi and Scott Arfield entered the fray on 77 minutes. And the changes gave the hosts added impetus with Morelos netting twice in quick succession to take the game away from Saints. Arfield then got himself on the end of a Cantwell pass on 86 minutes to end the afternoon. 

Saints' top six hopes go to the final game before the split with Kilmarnock the visitors to the SMiSA Stadium next Saturday. 

Full-Time: Rangers 5-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain, Kiltie (Boyd-Munce 90), O'Hara, Gogic (Flynn 87), Tanser (Small 63), Watt (Greive 63), Main (Offord 87)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Gallagher, R. Taylor, Jamieson

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier (King 89), Souttar, Davies (Kamara 77), Barisic, Lundstram, Raskin (Hagi 77), Cantwell, Sakala (Matondo 62), Tillman (Arfield 77), Morelos
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, McCausland, Lyall, Rice

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands
VAR: Andrew Dallas
Assistant VAR: Graeme Leslie

Attendance: 48,703

Saints made it back-to-back cinch Premiership victories with our first win at Tynecastle since 2013. Two goals in the space of five second-half minutes from Curtis Main and Alex Gogic gave Stephen Robinson's men a deserved 2-0 win in the capital and moved Saints to within a point of the Jambos. 

The manager named the same starting eleven that defeated Livingston 3-0 at the SMiSA Stadium last week and, as they did last week, Saints began brightly with the first chance of the game on nine minutes when captain Joe Shaughnessy glanced wide from a Thierry Small corner.

Hearts had their first real opportunity on 17 minutes when their skipper Lawrence Shankland saw an effort deflected just wide of the target. 

But still Saints had the better of the opening period with Gogic coming close twice in the space of two minutes for the Buddies with headers from two Small corners. The first - on 24 minutes - came closest when the Cypriot headed into the ground and it bounced over before his second came off the side-net. 

The hosts' best chance of the half came in the final minutes before the interval when Andy Halliday rose to meet a Stephen Kingsley cross from the left, but saw his header come back off the post. 

The second-half got off to a fast start with Carson making a big save at the start of the second-half to deny Michael Smith opening the scoring for the home side on his 200th appearance. But it was Saints who started with more intent and when Main opened the scoring on 52 minutes it had felt like it had been coming. Keanu Baccus fired over from inside the area, Gogic nodded wide and Tony Watt saw an effort saved by Ross Stewart all in the space of two minutes before the goal. The goal then came after Main got on to a long-range pass from Gogic and held off Kye Rowles before lashing home from 20 yards to score his seventh goal of the season. 

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Mark O'Hara looked like he'd scored his fifth goal in four games and his 11th of the season but his strike from inside the box found the net via a deflection off Gogic who was credited with the goal. 

Alex Gogic celebrates after deflecting O'Hara's effort into the net for the second goal (Image: Craig Brown)

Saints were in control of the match and the home side's slim hopes of getting back into the match were dampened when veteran midfielder Robert Snodgrass was given his marching orders with a second yellow card after a late challenge on Main. 

The Buddies were comfortable and saw the game out with no issues to go on to 44 points - matching last season's tally - and move within a point of Hearts in fourth.

Full-Time: Hearts 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne (Gallagher 75), Strain, Baccus (Kiltie 90), O'Hara, Gogic (Flynn 90), Small (Tanser 46), Watt (Greive 75), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, R.Taylor, Boyd-Munce, Offord

Hearts: Stewart, Smith (Cochrane 59), Hill, Rowles, Kingsley, Halliday (Humphrys 59), Devlin (Haring 76), Grant, Snodgrass, Forrest (McKay 76), Shankland (c)
Subs Not Used: Stone, Kio, Sibbick, Kuol, Oda

Referee: Matthew McDermid
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Fourth Official: Calum Scott

Three first-half goals saw St Mirren pick up the points against Livingston and move into fifth place in the cinch Premiership.  

Tony Watt's first Saints goal came either side of two Mark O'Hara penalties as the Buddies moved back into a top six place at the expense of the visitors. It was a result that saw Stephen Robinson's men win their ninth home league match of the season - the first time we've done so in 36 years. 

Saints got off to the perfect start when we were awarded a penalty after a handball that occurred inside just 15 seconds from kick-off. It took a lengthy VAR check before referee John Beaton awarded the spot kick after checking the monitor. O'Hara stepped up and slammed home from 12 yards to put us ahead on five minutes. 

The Buddies bright start was rewarded further when Watt scored his first goal for St Mirren on 18 minutes to double our lead. The forward got on the end of a low ball from Curtis Main and rounded Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George to roll into the empty net. 

Tony Watt rounds Shamal George to score his first goal for Saints (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints passed up a huge chance to make it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark when Main sprang the offside trap and raced clear on goal. The forward had options in the middle but elected to try and chip George who managed to gather. But a third goal would come after we were awarded a second penalty for another handball on 41 minutes. O'Hara was on hand to score his 10th of the season to put us 3-0 in front. Saints thought they'd added a quick-fire fourth when Main knocked home Ryan Strain's free-kick two minutes later, but the offside flag denied the forward his seventh goal of the season. 

The visitors had two big opportunities to pull a goal back in the opening minutes of the second 45. A header from substitute Cristian Montano forced a terrific save from Trevor Carson before Livingston captain Nicky Devlin drilled inches wide of the far post. 

Strain almost added a sensational fourth for Saints on 50 minutes after nifty footwork from the Australian saw him fashion the space on the edge of the box to get the shot away, but the effort flashed just wide. Nouble should have reduced the deficit 10 minutes later though the forward blasted over the bar after outmuscling the Saints defence to go clear on goal. 

Saints saw the remainder of the game out comfortably to move back into the top six with three matches to go before the split. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-0 Livingston

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain, Baccus (Flynn 68), Gogic, O'Hara (Kiltie 46), Small (Tanser 84), Watt (Greive 68), Main (Offord 90)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Gallagher, R.Taylor,  Jamieson

Livingston: George, Fitzwater, Boyes (Brandon 80), De Lucas, Devlin, Pittman (Kelly 62), Holt (Omeonga 46), Shinnie (Anderson 71), Penrice (Montano 46), Guthrie, Nouble
Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Bahamboula, Bradley

Referee: John Beaton 
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Ross Hardie

Attendance: 5,984

St Mirren picked up a point at Tannadice as Mark O'Hara's second-half penalty cancelled out an early Dundee United goal. 

After a sluggish first-half, Saints were worthy of at least a point following an improved second-half performance.

Stephen Robinson made two changes with Charles Dunne suspended and Thierry Small dropping to the bench. They were replaced by Richard Taylor and Scott Tanser. New signing Caolan Boyd-Munce, who signed for Saints on Wednesday, was on the bench, while Tony Watt missed out entirely as he couldn't play against his parent club. 

United started the better and hit the front after just three minutes through Steven Fletcher. The veteran forward was first on to a Richard Taylor headed clearance and volleyed home from 20 yards to give the home side an early lead. 

The hosts went close to a second on 17 minutes when Aziz Behich sent a long-range drive just wide of the right-hand post. Three minutes later, Liam Smith had a decent opportunity when a cross from the left fell to the United full-back at the far post, but he fired into the side-netting. 

After a frustrating start to the match, the Buddies started to take a grip on the game and had their best chance to level on 24 minutes when Loick Ayina's slip allowed Curtis Main to run in behind. The forward burst into the box but struck low into the arms of Mark Birighitti in the United goal. Despite having the better of the possession in the first-half, Saints failed to test Birghitti enough in the opening 45 and went into the break behind.

It would take 10 minutes into the second-half for the first real opportunity and captain O'Hara - fresh from signing a contract extension until 2026 - almost pulled Saints level. The midfielder slid into meet a Greg Kiltie cross and was only denied by a clearance from United skipper Ryan Edwards who cleared away to stop it crossing the line. 

Stephen Robinson's men were pressing for an equaliser and Alex Greive had a decent chance on 63 minutes after a great delivery from Tanser on the left found the New Zealand striker in the United box, but he nodded wide. Saints thought they had levelled on 65 minutes when Richard Taylor headed home Ryan Strain's free-kick. The offside flag was raised and a lengthy VAR check confirmed the defender was off. 

St Mirren were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes when Main went down under the challenge of Ayina after getting in front of the United defender. Another considerable VAR check ensued, but referee Craig Napier stuck with his original decision to award the spot kick. O'Hara stepped up to fire home his eighth goal of the season and draw us level heading into the final stretch of the match.

Mark O'Hara celebrates after scoring from the spot (Image: Andy Barr)

Neither side seemed content with a point with both chasing a winner. Behich missed a big chance for the hosts just minutes after O'Hara's leveller when he blasted over from close range, while Saints substitute Thierry Small sclaffed over from inside the United box. Small looked lively after replacing Scott Tanser and sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal with no takers before crossing for Main who flicked wide. 

United almost snatched it in injury time when Kai Fotheringham cracked the post from the edge of the area. Trevor Carson then made a wonderful save to deny Mathew Cudjoe in the fifth minute of added time and when Saints couldn't clear the danger it allowed Ilmari Niskanen the chance to win it, but he somehow fired over from close range. 

Greive was inches away from a spectacular late winner when he volleyed inches over from the edge of the area as both had to settle for a point. 

Full-Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gogic, R Taylor (Boyd-Munce 90), Strain (Flynn 83) ,O'Hara, Baccus, Kiltie (Shaughnessy 89), Tanser (Small 74), Greive, Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, F.Taylor, Offord, Jamieson

Dundee United: Birighitti, Smith (Freeman 90), Ayina, Edwards, McMann (Cudjoe 88), Sibbald, Harkes (Niskanen 88), McGrath (Fotheringham 58), Pawlett (Djoum 59), Behich, Fletcher
Subs Not Used: Newman, Graham, Thomson, McLeod

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Fourth Official: Iain Snedden
VAR: Colin Steven
Assistant VAR: Steven Traynor

Attendance: 8,131

St Mirren fell to defeat against Celtic at the SMiSA Stadium with a first-half red card for Charles Dunne leaving Saints too much to do in the second-half.

The Buddies took an early lead when Mark O'Hara put us in front from the penalty spot. But defender Dunne was shown red on 38 minutes for denying Kyogo Furuhashi a goalscoring opportunity. And Celtic made the most of their man advantage in the second-half; scoring five goals to take the points. 

Stephen Robinson was able to welcome Keanu Baccus and Alex Greive back into the starting 11 after injury. They were the only two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last weekend as they came in for Ryan Flynn and Tony Watt. 

St Mirren got off to the perfect start after being awarded a penalty following a VAR check. Referee David Dickinson was advised to check the pitchside monitor after a handball from Greg Taylor and Saints captain O'Hara scored his third goal against Celtic this season from 12 yards to put us ahead. 

Mark O'Hara put us ahead from the penalty spot (Image: Allan Picken)

While Celtic were seeing most of the possession, Saints were resolute with the away side's first real chance not coming until 23 minutes when Marcus Fraser's loose clearance fell to Reo Hatate on the edge of the box and his ferocious effort flew just over the bar. Five minutes later, Trevor Carson made his first save of the match as he made a super one-handed stop push Jota's effort over after the Celtic man had weaved his way into the Saints box.

As the first-half approached its final few minutes St Mirren were reduced to 10 men when Dunne was shown a straight red card for denying Kyogo a goalscoring opportunity. Initially Celtic were awarded a penalty, but a VAR check ruled the foul took place outside the box and a free-kick was given instead. The ball was laid off to Celtic's captain Callum McGregor and his powerful strike was brilliantly blocked by Fraser as Saints went into the break in-front. 

Celtic levelled 11 minutes into the second 45 though when Jota squeezed home from close range to make it 1-1. The winger was sliding in alongside Kyogo to try and meet an Aaron Mooy low ball into the area. The first was blocked by Carson but Jota got a touch when the ball came back out to equalise despite Strain's efforts to clear before it crossed the line. The visitors then took the lead just after the hour mark when Alastair Johnston met Mooy's free-kick at the far post to bundle home.

Joe Shaughnessy and Tony Watt were introduced for Saints not long after Johnston's goal, but Celtic would score twice in two minutes to put the game beyond doubt. Liel Abada added the third on 70 minutes before the Israeli turned provider for Matt O'Riley who netted on 72 minutes. 

VAR awarded Celtic a penalty on 81 minutes when substitute Heyongyu Oh went down under the challenge of Alex Gogic. It was Oh who stepped up to take and he made it 5-1 to the visitors. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-5 Celtic

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Strain (Watt 62), Baccus, O'Hara (c), Kiltie (F.Taylor 75), Small (Shaughnessy 62), Greive (R.Taylor 45), Main (Tanser 75)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Flynn, Offord, Jamieson

Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, Hatate (O'Riley 66), McGregor (c), Mooy (Iwata 74), Jota (Haksabanovic 71), Kyogo (Oh 66), Maeda (Abada 46)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Ralston, Kobayashi, Turnbull

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod 
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson
VAR: Andrew Dallas
Assistant VAR: Jonathan Bell

Attendance: 6,939

A late Alex Gogic header gave Saints a point at McDiarmid Park. 

The Cypriot scored his first goal of the season in the final few minutes to grab us a share of the spoils against 10 men St Johnstone. 

Gogic - who missed last weekend's win over Ross County with an ankle injury - returned to the starting line-up replacing Declan Gallagher who pulled up with a hamstring injury last Saturday. That was the only change made from last weekend's victory. 

After a fairly listless first 35 minutes - which saw very few opportunities - the game sprang into life. Curtis Main's low ball across the face of the box was almost turned into the St Johnstone net by Liam Gordon with the Perth Saints' goalkeeper Remi Matthews having to stick a leg out to sweep clear. 

Two minutes later a Ryan Strain cross-cum-shot almost caught out Matthews with the stopper having to tip away from the top corner. Almost immediately after,

Trevor Carson was forced into his first save of the match as he did well to push away a Stevie May header. Tony Watt came close to his first St Mirren goal on 39 minutes when he curled just wide of the far post from inside the area. 

St Johnstone were reduced to 10 men in the final minute of the opening 45 when Dan Phillips was shown red for serious foul play after a VAR check. The midfielder caught Ryan Flynn on the ankle with his studs and referee Craig Napier's quick check of the monitor saw the initial yellow card rescinded and replaced by a straight red. 

Saints started the second-half quickly and were inches away from taking the lead less than two minutes after the restart. Watt's cross from the right was met by Mark O'Hara who volleyed just wide. 

Thierry Small's low strike from distance was gathered by Matthews on the hour mark. Three minutes later Watt came close to opening the scoring when he met O'Hara's cross at the back post, but his header came off the bar and went over. 

Tony Watt came close to opening the scoring with a header the came off the bar (Image: Craig Brown)

But with 15 minutes remaining it was the 10 men of St Johnstone who took the lead through substitution Zak Rudden. The striker rose above the Saints defence to meet a Cammy MacPherson free-kick. His header came off the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net. 

Stephen Robinson made a triple substitution on 80 minutes with Joe Shaughnessy, Lewis Jamieson and Kieran Offord on to replace Marcus Fraser, Flynn and Watt. And it was Shaughnessy whose brilliant cross found Gogic to head us level on 86 minutes. The Irish defender swung the ball in from the right where Gogic was on hand to bullet home the equaliser. 

Saints pressed for a winner with Gogic shooting into the arms of Matthews from the edge of the area before Jamieson scooped over in the final seconds as we had to settle for a point. 

Full-Time: St Johnstone 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser (Shaughnessy 80), Gogic, Dunne, Strain, Flynn (Jamieson 80), O'Hara (c), Kiltie, Small, Watt (Offord 80), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Campbell, Kenny, R.Taylor, F.Taylor, Gilmartin

St Johnstone: Matthews, Wright, Mitchell, Gordon, (c), Considine, Montgomery, MacPherson, Phillips, Hallberg, May (Rudden 72), Clark (Bair 72)
Subs Not Used: Sinclair, Brown, Gallacher, Wotherspoon, Carey, Murphy

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks
Fourth Official: Duncan Williams
VAR: Grant Irvine
Assistant VAR: John McCrossan

Attendance: 3,828

St Mirren won at the SMiSA Stadium for the eighth time in the cinch Premiership this season following a 1-0 victory over Ross County.

Declan Gallagher's early goal was enough to give the Buddies a well-deserved three points and there was a clean sheet for Trevor Carson on a day that the club paid its respects to former goalkeeper Billy Thomson who sadly passed away earlier this month. 

Both sides take part in a minute's applause to pay tribute to ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Billy Thomson (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints were boosted by the news that Curtis Main passed a late fitness test after being a huge doubt the day before with a hamstring issue. Greg Kiltie and Ryan Flynn came into midfield in place of the injured Alex Gogic and Keanu Baccus, while Charles Dunne returned in place of Richard Taylor and Thierry Small replaced Scott Tanser.

St Mirren made a bright start and that was rewarded with the opening goal on seven minutes. It was a brilliant header from Gallagher as he rose above the Ross County defence to bullet home from Ryan Strain's corner. 

Stephen Robinson's side controlled the opening 25 minutes and Strain had two decent opportunities to double the Buddies' lead. On 22 minutes he was found at the back post by Marcus Fraser and his effort was blocked by County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw. A minute later a header from the Staggies defence fell nicely to the Saints full-back, but he volleyed well over. 

Ross County's first real chance came just before the half-hour mark when ex-Saint Keith Watson slid in to meet a George Harmon ball to the back post, but he fired over. 

The Staggies had a big opportunity early into the second 45 after good work from substitute Owura Edwards down the right-hand side. He drove into the box and saw his effort blocked by the feet of Trevor Carson. The ball came back out to Nohan Kenneh who knocked over from close-range. County had another decent chance on 53 minutes when half-time substitute Ross Callachan fired over from the edge of the box after being first on to Jordan White's knock-down. 

Saints dealt with the early second-half pressure from County and had two decent chances after the hour mark. Main turned a low Kiltie ball wide on 62 minutes before Watt spun well in the box on 66 minutes but shot over. 

St Mirren could have killed the game off as we headed into the final 10 minutes. Main had a shot deflected on to the post in 78 minutes and four minutes later County goalkeeper Laidlaw made a brilliant double save to deny substitute Kieran Offord and Strain. 

Ross County were reduced to 10 men heading into stoppage time following a VAR check as Owura Edwards was given his marching orders for a foul on Carson. Saints would see the game out, but goalscorer Gallagher had to be substituted off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Ross County

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher (R.Taylor 90), Dunne, Strain, Flynn, O'Hara (c), Kiltie, Small (Shaughnessy 56), Watt (Offord 78), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Campbell, F.Taylor, Gilmartin, Jamieson

Ross County: Laidlaw, Watson, Baldwin (Callachan 46), Iacovitti, Randall (Smith 75), Kenneh, Loturi, Harmon (G.Edwards 46), Dhanda (O.Edwards 46), White, Murray (Samuel 80)
Subs Not Used: Munro, Cancola, Sims, Stones

Referee: Graham Grainger 
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Colin Drummond
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken
VAR: Gavin Duncan
Assistant VAR: Frank Connor

Attendance: 5,634