A late Louis Moult goal saw Saints consigned to a narrow defeat against Dundee United at The SMiSA Stadium.

It was an afternoon of missed opportunities for Saints who passed up a number of big opportunities before seeing an injury-time penalty from Toyosi Olusanya saved by United goalkeeper Jack Walton. 

There were three changes to the Saints side from last time out with Alex Iacovitti, Roland Idowu and Mikael Mandron coming in for Alex Gogic, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Olusanya.

The Buddies started brightly and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring inside four minutes when Richard Taylor leapt the highest to meet a corner but saw his header nodded off the line by Luca Stephenson. 

Zach Hemming had to be alert to hold a powerful 20-yard strike from Kevin Holt, before Roland Idowu sliced a volley just wide of the far post three minutes later. 

Saints looked the more likely in the opening 45 with Greg Kiltie forcing a save from Walton on 34 minutes. Idowu picked up the scraps, but his follow-up effort was blocked by the United defence. Walton pulled off another save in the final minutes of the first-half when he was at full stretch to push away a Killian Phillips header.

United thought they'd taken the lead two minutes after the restart when Vicko Sevelj tapped home a cross at the far post but the offside flag was raised and the decision was confirmed after a quick VAR check.

Two minutes later Elvis Bwomono had a huge opportunity to put Saints ahead when a brilliant Tanser cross looked primed to be knocked home, but the wing-back slipped and the ball trickled out of play. 

It was then end-to-end stuff as the game approached the hour mark. Mandron was agonisingly close to putting us in front when his effort cannoned off the underside of the bar on 57 minutes. United immediately broke up the park with Marcus Fraser deflecting a Glenn Middleton strike off the Saints woodwork. 

Saints should have taken the lead when Olusanya, a second-half substitute in place of Idowu, was sent scuttling clear by a lovely lifted ball from Mandron. The forward only had the goalkeeper to beat but his shot was saved by the feet of Walton as he looked to find the bottom corner of the net. 

Hemming made a good stop to deny United substitute Jort van der Sande on 87 minutes before another brilliant save from the resulting corner. 

But the Terrors would find a breakthrough when a long throw eventually found its way to Moult whose overhead kick found the net in the final minute of normal time. 

Saints were presented with a glorious chance back into the match when referee David Dickinson awarded a penalty when Olusanya was felled by Holt. The forward stepped up to take but his tame effort was saved by Walton with the United defence reacting quickest to deal with the danger. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dundee United

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Iacovitti, Taylor, Bwomono (Penman 90), Phillips (Oseni 90), O'Hara (c), Tanser, Idowu (Olusanya 63), Mandron (Mooney 90), Kiltie (Boyd-Munce 73)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Gogic, John, Smyth

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Strain, Sevelj, Docherty (c), Ferry, Stephenson (van der Sande 86), Middleton (Moult 61), Dalby
Subs Not Used: Richards, Graham, Trapanovski, Fotheringham, Thomson, Cleall-Harding, Stirton

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Calum Scott
VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 7,440

St Mirren were beaten at Celtic Park as a double from Nicolas Kuhn, either side of an Auston Trusty header, saw the hosts win 3-0 in the William Hill Premiership.

Saints were organised in the opening part of the match, but their resistance was broken a little after the half hour mark when Kuhn opened the scoring with Trusty adding a second before the interval. Kuhn rounded off the scoring in second-half to see the points remain in Glasgow.

Stephen Robinson made five changes from Thursday's loss at Kilmarnock. Zach Hemming started in goals after returning to the club on loan on Friday with Ellery Balcombe recalled by Brentford. Elvis Bwomono, Mark O'Hara, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Greg Kiltie also came in while Alex Iacovitti, Oisin Smyth, Roland Idowu and Jonah Ayunga dropped to the bench.

Celtic, who lost their first league match of the season on Thursday when they were beaten 3-0 by Rangers, started quickly and looked to hit Saints on the break in the opening minute of the game. Kuhn tried to race away from the Buddies defence, but he was closely marshalled by Alex Gogic and Richard Taylor who denied the German a shooting opportunity. The hosts would win a corner from it though from which Adam Idah came close to an early goal when he headed Arne Engels' delivery just wide of the right-hand post.

Saints were well structured and looked fairly comfortable as they kept Celtic at bay. The closest the hosts came to opening the scoring in the opening 30 minutes was when Engels almost netted directly from a corner, with Hemming at full stretch to push over. 

The home side found a breakthrough on 33 minutes when Kuhn opened the scoring. Daizen Maeda just beat the offside trap to race down the left channel before rolling the ball along the face of goal to Kuhn who slotted the ball under Hemming to make it 1-0. 

The Buddies kept probing and had a decent opportunity to level when Toyosi Olusanya did well down the right-hand channel. He had Kiltie in a good area for the cut-back, but took the ball a step too far before sending into the box where Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel claimed. 

Celtic doubled their advantage 10 minutes after their opener when Engels' corner met the head of Auston Trusty who nodded home.

Hemming made a good save with his feet early in the second-half to turn away an Engels effort that was deflected goalward by Idah.

Stephen Robinson made a triple change just after the hour mark with the introduction of Smyth, Ayunga and Owen Oseni in place of O'Hara, Kiltie and Olusanya. The Buddies best opportunity to reduce the deficit came just a few minutes later when a Smyth corner met Taylor, but his deflected header was pushed over by Schmeichel. 

Celtic almost immediately went 3-0 ahead when they broke from the resulting Saints corner. Luke McCowan sent Kuhn scuttling away from Marcus Fraser, but Hemming did well to block the attempt. However, just seconds later, Callum McGregor's cross into the box found Engels. His backheel caused a mix up in the Saints defence in which Hemming couldn't gather as he collided with Fraser who looked to clear the ball. That allowed Kuhn to slot home his second and Celtic's third from close range.

Idah thought he'd added a fourth for Celtic five minutes later when, on 73 minutes, he tucked home after his initial effort struck the the bar, but he was flagged offside. 

Saints substitute Ayunga had a big opportunity to add a consolation in the final minute when he outmuscled Cameron Carters-Vickers, but his effort was blocked by Schmeichel. 

Full-Time: Celtic 3-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Bwomono, O'Hara (c) (Smyth 62), Boyd-Munce (Idowu 83), Phillips, Tanser (John 84), Kiltie (Oseni 62), Olusanya (Ayunga 62)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Iacovitti, Mandron, Mooney

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor (c), Engels, McCowan (Hatate 70), Kuhn (Yang 70), Idah (Furuhashi 83), Maeda (Palma 83)
Subs Not Used: Sinisalo, Scales, Valle, Bernardo, Ralston

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger
VAR: Andrew Dallas

St Mirren were beaten on the first game of 2025 as Bruce Anderson's double gave Kilmarnock all three point at Rugby Park.

The forward scored in each half as Kilmarnock won 2-0 to move to within three points of Saints in the William Hill Premiership.

There were three changes to the side that lost to Dundee on Sunday. Scott Tanser returned from suspension in place of Declan John, while Richard Taylor and Jonah Ayunga came in for Elvis Bwomono and Greg Kiltie. New signing Owen Oseni was on the bench after completing his deal on Wednesday and captain Mark O'Hara joined him on the bench after returning from injury.

Kilmarnock took an early lead after they were awarded a penalty kick just seven minutes in. Alex Gogic's clearance was charged down by Killie forward Bruce Anderson. The ball spun in the air and the striker raced on to it before going down after a nudge from the Cypriot defender. Referee Colin Steven showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Anderson stepped up to take. His effort was saved by Ellery Balcombe, but Anderson was quickest to react to the rebound to put the hosts ahead. 

Saints looked to respond quickly with Toyosi Olusanya seeing a shot blocked just a minute later before went down in the box under a challenge a few minutes later but referee Colin Steven was unmoved. The referee was similarly unmoved when Olusanya went down again on 20 minutes after appearing to have his heels clipped. 

A flat first-half performance saw the manager react by bringing O'Hara on for Oisin Smyth at the break before introducing Mikael Mandron for Roland Idowu on 54 minutes. Saints came close to a leveller seconds after the substitution when a free-kick was met by Taylor who headed just wide with Killian Phillips also just inches away from getting his toe on it. 

Richard Taylor heads an effort just wide (Image: David Henderson)

Kilmarnock were awarded their second penalty of the game, and again it looked soft, as Kyle Magennis went down under the challenge from Gogic. Anderson made no mistake as he sent Balcombe the wrong way to double the hosts' lead.

Oseni was brought on for his debut after the goal when he was replaced Ayunga, while Bwomono came on for Gogic. But Saints never really looked like finding a way back into the match as they game fizzled out in disappointing fashion.

Owen Oseni makes his debut (Image: David Henderson)

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 2-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Balcombe, Gogic (Bwomono 66), Iacovitti, Taylor, Fraser (c), Smyth (O'Hara 46), Phillips, Tanser, Idowu (Mandron 54), Olusanya (Kiltie 74), Ayunga (Oseni 66)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, John, Boyd-Munce, Mooney

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Wright, Mayo, Deas, Murray, Lyons, Polworth (Donnelly 74), Ndaba, Anderson (Watson 84), Wales (Cameron 74), Vassell (Magennis 44)
Subs Not Used: O'Hara, Burroughs, McKenzie, Mackay-Steven, Bainbridge

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official: George Calder
VAR: John Beaton

Saints ended 2024 in frustrating fashion as their good run of form was brought to a halt by Dundee.

The first half was a tale of two crosses – Josh Mulligan's delivery being headed in by Simon Murray to put Dundee in front before Elvis Bwomono produced an even better cross for Toyosi Olusanya to head in the equaliser.

After the break, the visitors restored their lead from another cross. This time a free-kick found Ryan Astley and he delivered for Murray to again head home with the help of the woodwork. Saints have proven adept at conjuring up late goals in recent weeks but there was to be no late drama this time around as Dundee saw out the remainder of the game relatively comfortably.

There was one change to the Saints side which recorded a famous Boxing Day win over Rangers, Alex Iacovitti replacing Richard Taylor in defence. Simon Murray led the attack for the visitors, with former Saint Trevor Carson in goals and Curtis Main and Sean Kelly on the bench.

Roland Idowu tested Carson at his near post early on, with a fierce cause from the on-loan winger also causing problems. The visitors then had a far bigger problem to deal with as they lost Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio to injury at the same time, Sean Kelly and Ethan Ingram replacing them. Dundee were briefly down to nine men as they worked out how to deal with their injuries, during which time Oisin Smyth dragged a shot wide. He had another chance once the visitors were back up to their full quota of players but it was easily dealt with by Carson.

Until this stage, Ellery Balcombe in the opposite goal had had a quiet afternoon but that all changed when he failed to deal with a cross. He then rushed from his goal and blocked a shot but was miles out of position as the ball fell to Murray, who looked odds on to score only for a well-placed Alex Gogic to head his effort off the line. Balcombe then redeemed himself with a double save from Adewumi but could do nothing moments later as Josh Mulligan produced a delightful cross to the back post for the unchallenged Murray to head home.

Despite the double injury blow, Dundee looked the stronger side and pushed for a second, having a soft penalty shout for a challenge on Murray waved away. From that, Saints immediately countered and Bwomono beat his man before sending in a delicious cross for Olusanya to head past Carson for his 13th and final goal of an impressive 2024. Having drawn themselves level, the Buddies finished the half strongly, Declan John shooting at Carson with his weaker foot.

Toyosi Olusanya drew Saints level with a terrific header (Image: Allan Picken)

Olusanya nearly completed the turnaround early in the second-half, nice work from Idowu sending him in behind the Dundee defence but he shot into the side netting. Sebastian Palmer-Houlden then stung Balcombe's palms with a fierce drive before Idowu had another go at beating Carson at his hear post which again the Dundee goalie was equal to.

The Buddies appeared to be in the ascendancy, so it was something of a surprise when Dundee took the lead. A free-kick found Ryan Astley and he delivered another great cross for Murray, his header hitting the bar before making its way into the net.

Saints rang the changes in a bid to find another equaliser and Evan Mooney almost produced the goods when the youngster pulled down a cross at the edge of the box before firing just over. It was a rare bright spot in a disappointing second-half for the Buddies as 2024 draws to a close. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser (c), Gogic, Iacovitti, Bwomono (Penman 82), Phillips, Smyth (Boyd-Munce 75), John, Idowu (Ayunga 63), Olusanya (Mandron 63), Kiltie (Mooney 75)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Adeniran, Scott

Dundee: Carson (c), Mulligan, Astley, Koumetio (Ingram 22), McGhee (Kelly 22), Robertson, Sylla, Cameron, Palmer-Houlden, Murray, Adewumi (Tiffoney 90)
Subs Not Used: McCracken, Sharp, Main, Braybrooke, Vetro

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Brian Christie
Fourth Official: Ryan Lee
VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 6,798

Caolan Boyd-Munce's injury-time goal saw St Mirren make it three wins from three as the Buddies secured a first league win over Rangers in 13 years. 

Oisin Smyth's first-half penalty had the Saints deservedly in front at half-time, but a rejuvenated Rangers levelled the scores just after the hour mark when substitute Danilo scored. The Buddies kept going and grabbed yet another late goal when Boyd-Munce lasered a strike into the bottom corner of the net to secure all three points in Paisley. 

St Mirren hadn't won against the Glasgow side in league action since a famous Christmas Eve victory back in 2011 when goals from Aaron Mooy and Paul McGowan saw us win 2-1 at The SMiSA Stadium. This time it was a late Christmas present for the Saints faithful with the three points moving Stephen Robinson's men up to fifth in the William Hill Premiership. 

Marcus Fraser captained the side in his 200th appearance, while Declan John, fresh from agreeing an extension until the end of the season, made his first start with Scott Tanser suspended. Alex Gogic and Toyosi Olusanya returned to the starting lineup as they replaced Alex Iacovitti and Mikael Mandron.

The Buddies started the game brightly but it would take until just after the half-hour mark for the game to really spark into life. Greg Kiltie beat the offside trap to burst on to a ball over the top. Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland raced off his line and clattered into the forward which saw referee David Dickinson award Saints a penalty and book the 'Gers stopper. 

Jack Butland fouls Greg Kiltie (Image: Allan Picken)

Smyth, who scored the winner against Ross County at the weekend, was the man to take and he was composed from the spot, sending Butland the wrong way to give the Buddies a deserved lead going into half-time. 

Oisin Smyth celebrates goal with Killian Phillips, Alex Gogic and Elvis Bwomono (Image: Allan Picken)

Rangers came out the traps quickly at the start of the second-half. Their captain James Tavernier was inches away from levelling with a free-kick from 25 yards that curled just wide of Ellery Balcombe's right-hand post. The Saints goalkeeper was forced into action a minute later when he was forced to push away a dangerous Tavernier cross. The ball fell to Hamza Igamane but he got it all wrong as he flashed over. That opportunity had come just after a half-decent opportunity for Saints when Roland Idowu did well to chop inside but his low effort was straight at Butland.

The visitors were seeing most of the ball in the opening exchanges of the second 45 and Balcombe had to be alert on 53 minutes to hold a deflected strike from Rangers substitute Danilo. The goalkeeper then down quickly to claw away an effort from the forward just a few minutes later.

Rangers' pressure eventually told as they drew level just after the hour mark. A stramash in the box following a corner saw a bit of pinball before Danilo fired through a ruck of bodies to make it 1-1.

The Light Blues came close twice in quick succession as they tried to hit the front. Igamane should have done better when he was found in space inside the box on 67 minutes but he flashed well over. Three minutes later Vaclav Cerny let fly from distance and his effort whistled just over the bar. 

But after a sustained period of pressure, Saints started to grow back into the match. Smyth saw an effort deflected wide on 72 minutes before substitute Iacovitti's header from the resulting corner came agonisingly close as it smacked off the underside of the bar.

Stephen Robinson made two changes with less than 10 minutes remaining when he introduced St Mirren Youth Academy players Callum Penman and Evan Mooney. Penman was making his first-team bow, while Mooney burst on to the scene in our win over St Johnstone a little over a week ago when he scored an 87th minute equaliser. 

As has become customary with St Mirren over recent weeks, there was to be late drama at The SMiSA Stadium. Another earlier substitute, Jonah Ayunga, did brilliantly to slide in and steal the ball from Dujon Sterling in the middle of the park. He charged forward at speed and expertly picked out Mooney with a low cross into the box. The youngster composed himself to get the ball under control before laying it to Boyd-Munce who guided a fierce strike low and hard to Butland's left into the bottom corner of the net to wrap up all three points on Boxing Day. 

Caolan Boyd-Munce celebrates winner with Marcus Fraser (Image: Allan Picken)

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Rangers

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser (c), Gogic, Taylor, Bwomono (Iacovitti 63), Phillips, Smyth, John (Penman 83), Idowu (Boyd-Munce 74), Olusanya (Mooney 83), Kiltie (Ayunga 63)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Scott, Mandron

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier (c), Sterling, Balogun (Propper 19), Jefte (Yilmaz 78), Barron (Raskin 46), Diomande, Cerny, Bajrami (Danilo 46), Hagi, Igamane (Dessers 82)
Subs Not Used: Kelly, Cortes, Dowell, McCausland,

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Chris Rae
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Fourth Official: Greg Soutar
VAR: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 7,175

Oisin Smyth's stunning late free-kick saw 10 man St Mirren pick up a festive three points away to Ross County.

Alex Iacovitti gave Saints a first-half lead against his former side. But the Staggies levelled immediately following the interval when Michee Efete scored to make it 1-1. The hosts then had a man advantage when Scott Tanser was shown a second yellow card for the Buddies. But despite the deficit in numbers, it was Saints who looked most likely to grab a winner and they did so in sensational fashion when Smyth fired home a wonderful free-kick on 89 minutes to give Stephen Robinson's men a 2-1 victory.

There were two injury enforced changes from the side that defeated St Johnstone last weekend. Captain Mark O'Hara missed out after a re-occurence of a thigh injury, while Conor McMenamin was also unavailable after a knock sustained in the win over the Perth Saints. That meant starts for Smyth and last weekend's winner Roland Idowu. Alex Gogic was back available following his suspension but had to settle for a place on the bench.

Conditions were tough at the Global Energy Stadium with 50 mile per hour winds and driving rain making it difficult for both sides. Elvis Bwomono trying to use the conditions to his advantage swinging in an early cross that swirled its way on to the head of Mikael Mandron but the forward was always on the stretch as he nodded over.

Mandron was involved again when Saints had their best chance of the opening stages. There was just 10 minutes of the clock when the forward sent Idowu scurrying forward on the counter. The hosts managed to get bodies back but Idowu held the ball long enough for support to join him and he picked out Killian Phillips with a low ball into the box. The midfielder couldn't get enough purchase on it and that allowed Jack Hamilton to gather comfortably.

Scott Tanser was first into the book after just 13 minutes following a late challenge on Scott Allardice. The full-back was penalised for another foul two minutes later after a push and that presented County with a good free-kick opportunity a little over 20 yards from goal. Noah Chilvers took but sent it well over. It was Chilvers who would have the game's next opportunity and he came closer to putting the home side in front this time when he sent his shot just wide of Ellery Balcombe's left-hand post.

Saints would hit the front with Iacovitti scoring against his former side on 27 minutes. A foul on Richard Taylor saw the Buddies presented with a free-kick opportunity on the left-hand side. Tanser and Smyth stood over it but it was the latter who went for the near post. It was pushed away by County goalkeeper Hamilton but only as far as Iacovitti who forced home to score his third goal of the season.

Saints looked hungry for more with Phillips having a powerful strike blocked on the half hour mark. 

But Ross County drew level less than a minute after the restart. Taylor couldn't get enough on his attempted clearance of Efete's header which saw the ball fall straight back to the County man who slotted home from close-range to equalise. 

Frustration grew for Saints when they were then reduced to 10 men just 10 minutes later as Tanser was shown a second yellow card. The wing-back had taken a heavy touch and when he slid in to win the ball back, Aidan Denholm went down under the challenge and referee Iain Snedden quickly produced the yellow to see the full-back given his marching orders.

But despite that setback it was the Buddies who looked the more likely to make something happen in the game. Smyth sent a free-kick over from 25 yards before Idowu came mightily close after brilliantly driving into the County box, only for his effort to be deflected wide. 

Saints were denied a penalty on 73 minutes when Efete appeared to handle the ball to block Iacovitti's shot. Iacovitti screamed for a penalty and the stadium announcer confirmed that a VAR check was ongoing for a potential penalty. But VAR Greg Aitken decided there was nothing in it. It was then County's turn to have a penalty claim waved away by VAR when Eamonn Brophy went down under a challenge from Taylor. 

Smyth came close to putting us in front on 78 minutes when he curled just wide of target. Two minutes later, substitute Jonah Ayunga's powerful shot forced a good save from Hamilton. 

There was yet another strong penalty claim for St Mirren when Killian Phillips was bundled down inside the box as he was about to get his shot away. Again it was checked by the VAR but no penalty was forthcoming much to the bemusement of Stephen Robinson and his players. 

But the deserved breakthrough would come in the final minute of normal time. Ayunga was fouled around 20 yards from goal and Smyth beautifully dispatched the free-kick over the wall and into the net to the delight of the travelling support.

Full-Time: Ross County 1-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Iacovitti, Taylor, Bwomono, Phillips, Smyth (Adeniran 90), Tanser, Idowu (Gogic 77), Mandron (Ayunga 77), Kiltie (Boyd-Munce 90)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Penman, Scott, Mooney

Ross County: Hamilton, Wright, Allardice (Denholm 46), Randall (c), Chilvers, Harmon (Brophy 69), Lopata, Nisbet (Reid 69), Hale, White
Subs Not Used: Amissah, Leak, Loturi, Sheaf, Grieves, Telfer

Referee: Iain Snedden
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Alastair Grieve
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 3,271

St Mirren claimed all three points in the most dramatic fashion with a 3-2 win away to St Johnstone.

An early Killian Phillips goal gave Saints an early, and well-deserved, first-half lead. Second-half goals from Makenzie Kirk and Benji Kimpioka looked like giving the Perth side all three points, only for St Mirren Youth Academy Evan Mooney to score his first senior goal with two minutes of normal time remaining. The Buddies were then awarded a penalty deep into injury-time following a VAR intervention after Roland Idowu's shot came off the hand of a St Johnstone defender. Mark O'Hara's spot-kick was saved by Josh Rae, but the drama didn't end there as a retake was ordered after the goalkeeper had come off his line. Idowu stepped up and slotted home in the 99th minute to see the points return to Paisley.

There were two changes from the side that lost agonisingly to Motherwell last weekend. Alex Gogic missed out due to suspension and was replaced by the returning Alex Iacovitti who made his first start since August after a lay-off with injury. Mikael Mandron also came into the starting eleven in place of Toyosi Olusanya.

Saints hit the front with just 10 minutes on the clock. Greg Kiltie drove down the left and found Mandron in the middle of the park around 25 yards from the St Johnstone goal. The forward found Phillips who had made a great run into the box and slotted coolly beyond Josh Rae to score his second goal for St Mirren. There was a brief VAR check for offside but Neilson had played the Irishman well onside. 

Killian Phillips celebrates our opener (Image: Willie Vass)

Saints were well worthy of the lead heading in to the half-time interval but didn't create many clear cut chances before the break. A floated Conor McMenamin ball over the top almost found Kiltie who would have gone one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but it had just too much on it which meant the forward couldn't bring it down to get a shot away.

St Johnstone drew level seven minutes after the restart. Nicky Clark slipped the ball to the unmarked Makenzie Kirk who took a touch before rifling a nice finish low into the far corner of the net from a tight angle.

Saints were dealt a major blow just after the hour mark when Richard Taylor had to be stretchered off with an injury. He was replaced by St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Luke Kenny, while Scott Tanser also made way for Declan John. Stephen Robinson made another double change five minutes later with the introduction of Roland Idowu and Olusanya in place of McMenamin and Mandron.

Phillips had a big chance for his and Saints' second on 71 minutes when a ball ricocheted into his path but he smacked over from close range.

St Johnstone should have hit the front when they won the ball in midfield and Kimpioka drove forward. He had options to his left and right but elected to go alone, only to be stopped by a brilliant challenge from Kenny.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, manager Stephen Robinson made his final substitution with Mooney, who only just  celebrated his 17th birthday on Wednesday, coming on for Kiltie as the Saints looked to turn one point into three.

But it was St Johnstone who took the lead when Kimpioka netted on 81 minutes. The forward played a one-two with Drey Wright and Elvis Bwomono tried to stop the ball reaching Kimpioka, but couldn't prevent it finding the striker who knocked beyond Ellery Balcombe from close-range. 

However, Saints looked like they grabbed a share of the spoils when Mooney showed great composure to draw us level with just two minutes of normal time remaining. O'Hara's cross to the back post found Iacovitti who headed back across goal. Rae couldn't gather under pressure from Phillips and Mooney slammed into the net to make it 2-2.

Evan Mooney celebrates after his first senior goal drew us level (Image: Willie Vass)

With seven minutes of added on time announced, St Johnstone captain Clark passed up a huge chance to put his side back in front when he sent a free header over from just a few yards over. 

There were huge appeals for a St Mirren penalty deep into stoppage time when an Idowu shot came off the hand of Jason Holt. Play carried on before referee Euan Anderson was sent over to the pitchside screen by VAR Steven McLean. After a quick check, the whistler pointed to the spot. Up stepped O'Hara but his effort was saved by Rae to the delight of the home support. However, the referee was advised that the St Johnstone goalkeeper had come off his line before the penalty was struck and ordered a re-take. This time Idowu was tasked with the spot kick and he rolled into the net, sending Rae the wrong way, to spark wild celebrations in the away end and ensure the points would be making their way back to Paisley.

Roland Idowu strokes home the winner from the penalty spot (Image: Willie Vass)

Full-Time: St Johnstone 2-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Iacovitti, Taylor (Kenny 64), Bwomono, O'Hara (c), Phillips, Tanser (John 64), McMenamin (Idowu 69), Mandron (Olusanya 69), Kiltie (Mooney 79)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Boyd-Munce, Smyth, Scott

St Johnstone: Rae, Mikulic, Sanders, Neilson (Keltjens 46), Holt, Clark (c), Wright, Sidibeh, Smith, Kirk, Kimpioka
Subs Not Used: Sinclair, Cameron, Carey, Essel, Kucheriavyi, McPake, Franczak, Brookfield

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger
VAR: Steven McLean

Attendance: 4,001

A last gasp goal consigned Saints to a disappointing defeat to Motherwell.

The game appeared to be heading for an instantly forgettable goalless draw, neither side doing anywhere near enough to win the game. However, in the final seconds of injury time Alex Gogic was shown a second yellow for a clip and when Lennon Miller swung in the free-kick, Tony Watt sent the away fans wild when his glancing header found the net.

Conor McMenamin had had the best Saints' chances up to that point, twice being denied by Aston Oxborough, while Ellery Balcombe in the opposite goal had dealt with efforts from Steve Seddon and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and looked to have done enough to ensure the spoils were shared until the late drama.

Marcus Fraser's red card against Dundee United being overturned meant Saints could start with the same team for the fourth game in a row. Lennon Miller, who had caused the Buddies problems when the sides met at Fir Park earlier in the season, captained the visitors, who also started one-time Saints loanee Tony Watt.

Conor McMenamin tried to catch Aston Oxborough out with an early Saints free-kick but it lacked the necessary pace to cause any real problems, Greg Kiltie then seeing his shot deflected wide. Motherwell threatened when Jair Tavares hit the bar after Ellery Balcombe had punched the ball away, although the whistle had already gone for a foul on the Saints keeper. It was then the hosts' turn to be denied by the woodwork as Kiltie set up McMenamin and his effort appeared to be tipped onto the bar by Oxborough, although the officials only gave a goal kick.

The Motherwell goalie dealt easily enough with Alex Gogic's header from a free-kick after Shane Blaney was booked for fouling Killian Phillips. It was then Gogic's turn to enter the book when he tripped Andy Halliday just outside the box, the former Rangers man curling the free-kick past the far post although one of his team-mates had strayed offside.

Saints almost made a spectacular start to the second half as McMenamin cut inside before stinging Oxborough's palms from distance. However, the scrappiness of the first half soon returned, what little flow there was being interrupted by a series of needles bookings. As the final quarter approached, Motherwell went close to breaking the deadlock when Halliday lifted the ball over the top and Steve Seddon met it perfectly on the volley, only to see his shot tipped onto the bar by Balcombe.

Mikael Mandron and Roland Idowu were introduced in place of  Kiltie and Toyosi Olusanya and the latter quickly won a free-kick, McMenamin's effort being saved by Oxborough. Moments later the Saints defence were caught out by a ball over the top and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was through, however Balcombe was alert to the danger and blocked the shot.

As the game looked set to peter out, Gogic was shown a second yellow card in the final few seconds. Miller delivered a wonderful free-kick into the box and Watt was there to head home and snatch victory for the visitors.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Motherwell

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Bwomono (Ayunga 84), Phillips, O'Hara, Tanser, McMenamin, Olusanya (Mandron 68), Kiltie (Idowu 67)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Iacovitti, John, Boyd-Munce, Smyth, Mooney

Motherwell: Oxborough, Tavares (Kalete 77), Casey, Gordon, Blaney, Seddon, Wilson (Paton 72), Halliday (Nicholson 83), Miller, Watt, Stamatelopoulos (Moses 77)
Subs Not Used: Hegyi, O'Donnell, Balmer, Zdravkovski, Maswanhise

Referee: Dan McFarlane
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Duncan Williams
VAR: Don Robertson

Attendance: 6,111

There was VAR drama at Tannadice as Saints were beaten 2-0 by Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership.

The hosts took a late lead through Kevin Holt after being awarded a penalty on 78 minutes after the VAR instructed referee Matthew MacDermid to review the incident at the pitchside monitor. Saints were then reduced to 10 with Marcus Fraser shown a red card in injury-time after another VAR intervention before Emmanuel Adegboyega secured the points for United. 

Despite Saints seeing more possession and playing more of the game in the United half, it was the hosts who created the better chances in the early stages. Sam Dalby should have put Jim Goodwin's side ahead when he raced away from the Saints defence to meet a ball over the top from Will Ferry. The forward moved into the box, one-on-one with Ellery Balcombe, but blazed well over the bar. 

United goalkeeper Jack Walton was shown a yellow card on 13 minutes after a late foul on Toyosi Olusanya who had ran on to a Balcombe ball down the left channel. The United stopper raced from his line but wiped out the Saints forward with referee Matthew MacDermid quick to give him a yellow card. A brief VAR check looked to see if the tackle warranted a red card for serious foul play but the decision was that the booking was justified. 

Toyosi Olusanya in pain after a late challenge from Jack Walton (Image: Andy Barr)

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock when Ferry played a nice one-two with Dalby and surged away from the chasing Saints defenders. His strike came crashing off the post.

Ex-Saint Declan Gallagher made a vital block just after the half-hour mark to deny the Buddies the lead. Tanser's effort looked to be heading off target, but would have found Killian Phillips who was on hand to turn in from close-range had it not been for Gallagher's intervention. 

Saints were dominating the game as the half wore on, but weren't creating enough to worry Walton in the United net. There were big appeals for a penalty with five minutes of the first-half remaining when Conor McMenamin's cross looked to come off the arm of Adegboyega. VAR had a brief look but decided the referee wasn't required a second look and play resumed. 

United were creating the better openings after the restart. Glenn Middleton's low ball found captain David Babunski early in the second-half, but his body shape was all wrong as he turned well wide. Middleton again looked to be the provider when he found Holt on the edge of the area with the defender turning the effort well wide. The home side were inches away from the opener just before the hour mark when Adegboyega headed a corner inches wide of the near post. 

Saints' first real chance of the second 45 came on 63 minutes. Tanser was found inside the box by Olusanya and his ball across was pushed away by Walton. Adeboyega could only turn it out as far as Olusanya who had fashioned the space to get his shot away. Holt got an important foot out to block the goalbound effort. 

With a little over 10 minutes to play, Dundee United were awarded their first penalty of the match. VAR called referee Matthew MacDermid over to the screen when United substitute Holt went down in the box under a challenge from Marcus Fraser. The referee pointed to the spot after the check with Holt slotting home from 12 yards to open the scoring.

United were awarded a second penalty in the final minute of normal time with Fraser once again penalised as Moult fell in the box under pressure from the Saints defender. The referee was once again called to the screen, this time producing a red card to Fraser for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Marcus Fraser is shown a red card by referee Matthew MacDermid (Image: Andy Barr)

Holt's penalty was this time saved by Balcombe who got two strong hands to turn it behind. But the hosts would add a second from the resulting corner. Balcombe couldn't gather the initial header from Moult and Adegboyega knocking in from close-range.

Full-Time: Dundee United 2-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Bwomono, Phillips, O'Hara (c), Tanser (John 81), McMenamin (Mandron 64), Olusanya (Ayunga 72), Kiltie (Idowu 81)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Boyd-Munce, Smyth, Mooney

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Stain, Sevelj, Babunski (c) (Thomson 60), Ferry, Stephenson, Middleton (van der Sande 72), Dalby (Moult 72)
Subs Not Used: Richards, Graham, Odada, Fotheringham, Stirton, Ubochioma

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Fourth Official: Ryan Lee
VAR: Don Robertson

Attendance: 8,868 (754 St Mirren supporters)

Saints travel to Dundee on Saturday in the William Hill Premiership as we face Dundee United at Tannadice.

Dundee United vs St Mirren
William Hill Premiership
Venue: Tannadice Park
Date: Saturday 30th November 2024
Kick-off: 3pm

Ticket Info

Tickets for our William Hill Premiership match away to Dundee United are available online through Dundee United's ticketing platform.

Tickets are priced at £26 for adults, £15 for concessions* and £5 for under-12s**.

Any wheelchair Users requiring tickets please contact the Dundee United Ticket Office directly tickets@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk or call 01382 833 166 option 1. Ambulant disabled are charged at £15 with PA free of charge.

*65 and over, U21 or full-time student
**Only with a full paying adult

Follow the Action

If you can't make the match on Saturday, you can follow the action with updates on our X page.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live on tv.stmirren.com, while UK subscribers can listen to live audio commentary.

Supporter Info

• This is a ticket only game! Tickets are available online or by scanning QR code around the stadium. Please select email delivery option.
• Turnstiles will open at 2pm. Away fans should enter through the turnstiles in the Carling Stand (West).
• Kiosks will be contactless only.
• Flags should be within regulations and must have a fire certificate. No offensive or political flags will be allowed. Please display all flags/banners to the CCTV cameras before entering the stadium.
• No balaclavas or face coverings will be allowed on entering or within the stadium. Refusal of entry/ejection will occur if face coverings are seen.
• No pyro or megaphones allowed!
• No bags bigger than A4 allowed.
• No surfing banners or telescopic poles allowed.
• Drum will be allowed inside stadium and must be searched.
• Searching will be in place.
• Any inebriated fans will not be allowed to enter the stadium.
• No smoking anywhere inside the stadium and no pass out is allowed.
• Buses to park in normal place and please be mindful when parking on the streets and not to block any driveways.