St Mirren picked up their first win of 2021 and did it in style as the Buddies thumped five past Dundee United at Tannadice.

Joe Shaughnessy's first goal of the season put Saints ahead on the half-hour mark before two penalties in three minutes from Jamie McGrath had Jim Goodwin's men cruising at the break.

Ian Harkes pulled a goal back for the home side with a stunning strike, but two goals in the last 10 minute from substitutes Dylan Connolly and Kristian Dennis sealed a stunning win in Dundee.

The manager made three changes from Sunday's semi-final loss with Ilkay Durmus and Jon Obika in, while Ryan Flynn made his first start in almost a year.

The Buddies had plenty of pressure in the opening 20 minutes without creating anything clear cut. Brophy snapped a shot wide in the opening minute, while there were strong shouts for a Saints penalty on even minutes with a number of players claiming the ball struck a United hand. 

It was United who had the best opportunity of the match on 23 minutes when Dillon Powers was denied by a wonderful save from Jak Alnwick before slamming over.

Dundee United were furious to be denied a penalty just before the half-hour mark when Marc McNulty went down under the challenge from Richard Tait after the defender had got in front of the forward and knocked the ball away with a well-time challenge. Referee John Beaton rightly said no and within a minute Saints were ahead. Jamie McGrath's free-kick from the left was met by Conor McCarthy who nodded into the path of Joe Shaughnessy with the captain heading home to score his first goal for St Mirren.

Saints were awarded a penalty with three minutes of the half remaining when Shaughnessy went down under a challenge in the box from Mark Connolly. McGrath took and he made no mistake to role home his fourth penalty of the season. And into the final minute of the half Saints were given another penalty after a Flynn strike came off the hand of Lawrence Shankland. Again McGrath stepped up and again the Irish midfielder scored to make it nine goals for the season.

United pulled a goal back early in the second half to reduce the arrears. It was a terrific strike from American midfielder Harkes who curled into the top corner from range leaving Alnwick with no chance. 

But the St Mirren players put in a real professional performance to keep the home side at bay before adding the sheen on a top performance with two late goals.

On 80 minutes, Dennis lifted the ball over the top for substitute Dylan Connolly to race on to. The winger drove into the box slammed into the net to secure the points for Saints.

And the cherry was put on the cake for the Buddies when Dennis got himself on the scoresheet with five minutes remaining. It was all about the work of the returning Flynn who showed his class as he picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove along the left touchline before breaking into the box and finding the English striker at the far post to tap home on a good night's work for Saints. 

Full-Time: Dundee United 1-5 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Flynn, McGrath, Erhahon, Durmus (McAllister 81), Obika (Connolly 71), Brophy (Dennis 56)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Sheron, Henderson, Jamieson

Dundee United: Deniz, Smith, Powers (Fotheringham 45), Connolly, Reynolds (c), McNulty, Clark, Robson, Bolton (Appere 72), Harkes, Shankland
Subs Not Used: Siegrist, Sporle, Pawlett, Edwards, Hoti, Mochrie, Neilson

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger

St Mirren's hopes of a cup final place were ended at Hampden this afternoon after a narrow semi-final loss to Livingston.

The Buddies couldn't find a response to Scott Robinson's early effort despite piling on the pressure in the latter stages of the match.

The focus is now solely on the league for Jim Goodwin's men with a trip to Tannadice coming up on Wednesday night. 

It was Livingston who started the match the brighter of the two sides with Jak Alnwick holding efforts from Jon Guthrie and Josh Mullin in the opening minutes.  

The Lions' quick start paid off as they took the lead on nine minutes. A free-kick from the left was met by Efe Ambrose whose initial header crashed off the bar. Robinson was allowed to follow in to nod home the rebound.

Saints never really got going in the first-half with only a long-range drive from Eamonn Brophy that he dragged wide all the Buddies had to show in the first 30 minutes. 

Jim Goodwin's men were denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty just after the half-hour mark when Nicky Devlin caught Joe Shaughnessy inside the Livingston box, but referee David Munro said no despite the protestations from the Irishman.

Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek had to be alert to clear the danger on 36 minutes when Brandon Mason looked like he'd have the opportunity to get a shot away. 

With five minutes of the first-half remaining, Dylan Connolly managed to break clear but failed to find Brophy inside the box where the forward would surely have levelled.  

After a disappointing opening 45, Saints started with more intent in the second-half with Conor McCarthy looking like he was going to head Saints level six minutes after restart when he rose the highest to meet a Jamie McGrath corner. The header was goal-bound only for Craig Sibbald to be in the right place at the right time to nod clear. Seconds later Connolly almost caught out Stryjek with a cross-cum-shot that the goalkeeper had to flick over. 

Three minutes later it was Brophy's turn to go close for the Buddies, but he headed Cammy MacPherson's free-kick over.

Jim Goodwin made a number of changes heading into the final 20 minutes with Kyle McAllister, Ilkay Durmus and Jon Obika all coming on in as substitutes. 

The latter had a claim for a penalty with 15 remaining when he went down under pressure from Jullien Serrano after a neat bit of skill to break into the box. Instead the referee deemed it simulation and booked the forward. 

McAllister was looking lively and put a nice ball onto Obika's head on 78 minutes only for the striker to nod tamely into the arms of Stryjek. A minute later McAllister sent a dangerous ball across the face of the box, but there were no takers in black and white. 

With time ebbing away Shaughnessy went agonisingly close to find an equaliser to take the game to extra-time. The skipper's header drifted inches by the post after he got himself on the end of a McGrath corner. In the end it wasn't to be Saints day. 

Full-Time: Livingston 1-0 St Mirren

JIM GOODWIN REACTION. 

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Connolly (McAllister 57), McGrath, MacPherson (Obika 68), Erhahon, Mason (Durmus 68), Brophy (Dennis 81)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley, Erwin

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Guthrie, Ambrose, Serrano, Sibbald (Longridge 86), Mullin (Reilly 73), Pittman, Bartley, Holt, Robinson (Fitzwater 82)
Subs Not Used: McCrorie, Kabia, McMillan, Lawson, Forrest, Emmanuel-Thomas

Referee: David Munro
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Alan Muir

St Mirren lost their first game of 2021 as Jim Goodwin's side were narrowly beaten by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Chris Kane's early second-half goal was enough to give the hosts all the points on a poor afternoon for Paisley Saints who finished the game with 10 men as Cammy MacPherson was shown red.

Jim Goodwin made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Motherwell last week with MacPherson and Eamonn Brophy coming in for Ethan Erhahon and Kyle McAllister. 

Neither side created much to threaten either goalkeeper in the opening 45 minutes. David Wotherspoon curled a free-kick wide on 21 minutes, while Joe Shaughnessy nodded wide from a Jamie McGrath set piece two minutes later.

Shaughnessy made a vital block to deny Guy Melamed after Chris Kane had spun away from Conor McCarthy to race forward into space. Kane slipped the ball wide to Melamed who broke into the St Mirren box and checked on to his left foot but had his effort blocked by the Saints skipper. It was a vital block from the Irishman with the Israeli striker looking primed to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.

Saints couldn't have wished for a worst start to the second-half when the hosts took the lead within 30 seconds of the restart. Kane raced on to a Melamed flick-on and despite Jak Alnwick getting a strong block in on the first effort, the St Johnstone striker rolled home the rebound. There was frustration from Saints given the ball had come off Melamed's arm in the build-up to the goal.

St Mirren's afternoon went from bad to worse when they were reduced to 10 men with Cammy MacPherson given his marching orders on 56 minutes. The midfielder was booked just before half-time for a foul on Melamed and received his second booking for a foul on the same man.

Kane should have doubled his and St Johnstone's tally on 67 minutes when he was picked out in acres of space by Wotherspoon. The striker's effort was brilliant turned over by Alnwick who made a terrific one-handed save to tip over.

Saints were still probing despite only having 10 men, but the closest they came was on 82 minutes when McCarthy headed over from McGrath's free-kick.

In truth it was a quiet afternoon for St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark and a disappointing day for the Paisley Saints.

Full-Time: St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, MacPherson, Connolly (Erhahon 60), Erwin (Obika 87), Brophy (Quaner 68, McAllister 87)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Durmus, Dennis

St Johnstone: Clark, Rooney, Kerr, McCart, Tanser, McCann, Bryson (Craig 88), Wotherspoon (Davidson 68), Gordon, Melamed (May 68), Kane (Hendry 82)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Booth, Craig, Conway, O'Halloran

Referee: Steven MacLean
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid 

Neither side could be separated in St Mirren's first home match of 2021 as Jamie McGrath's late penalty earned Saints a share of the spoils against Motherwell.

The Irishman made it seven goals for the season when he netted from 12 yards 11 minutes from time after Devante Cole had given the visitors a first-half lead.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages but had to settle for a point.

Motherwell came into the match with Graham Alexander having been named as their new manager on Thursday night. And the visitors had clearly been given a lift by his appointment as they started brightly at the SMiSA Stadium.

Saints grew into the match with Marcus Fraser volleying wide from 15 yards on 11 minutes before McGrath, who scored the winner the last time these sides met, went close to breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes when he drilled wide from 20 yards. 

Lee Erwin and Kyle McAllister then both dragged wide from outside the area in the next couple of minutes as Saints went in search of the opener.

But Motherwell started to take a grip on the first-half and should have been ahead on 22 minutes when Liam Polworth's pinpoint cross met the head of an unmarked Tony Watt who had his header brilliantly blocked by Jak Alnwick.

Three minutes later Cole fired wide from just inside the box and would have been disappointed not to have hit the target.

But Motherwell did go ahead on 27 minutes with Cole atoning for his miss. Saints couldn't clear a Polworth corner which allowed Watt to nod back across with Cole firing home from close range.

Dylan Connolly was picked up by Erwin who played a wonderful through ball for the winger, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Stephen O'Donnell six minutes before the break.

Saints were looking better in the second-half and should have been level just after the hour mark. McGrath did brilliantly to pick out Ethan Erhahon in the Motherwell box but the midfielder sent it agonisingly wide of the left-hand post. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes Jim Goodwin's men were awarded a penalty when Erwin went down challenge of Declan Gallagher. Referee Bobby Madden to point to the spot with McGrath stepping up and making no mistake from 12 yards to draw Saints level.

Both goalkeepers ensured that neither side would take three points from the game with Kelly saving well from an Ilkay Durmus free-kick, before Alnwick made an unbelievable stop to tip away O'Hara's free-kick attempt.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Motherwell

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

EAMONN BROPHY POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Durmus 76), McAllister (Brophy 57), McGrath, Connolly, Erwin
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Sheron, Flynn, Foley, MacPherson, Jamieson

Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, O'Hara, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (Maguire 84), Watt, Hastie (White 72)
Subs Not Used: Morrison, Devine, Cornelius, Crawford, Seedorf, Grimshaw, McGinley

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

A last-gasp own goal from Kilmarnock goalkeeper Danny Rogers helped St Mirren gain a point in their first match of 2021.

The ex-Saints stopper looked to have dealt with a deflected cross ball but carried it over the line in injury time to give the Buddies a share of the spoils at Rugby Park.

The home side had the better of the first-half and took the lead on 12 minutes when their number 12,Danny Whitehall, headed them in front. The forward got his head on a Chris Burke cross and nodded into the net with Jak Alnwick getting a hand to it. The Saints goalkeeper will probably feel disappointed he didn't manage to keep it out. 

Three minutes later it took a terrific block from Conor McCarthy to deny Whitehall, and Kilmarnock, a quickfire second. The Irish defender put his body in the way when the Kilmarnock striker looked set to double the home side's lead.

Saints were dealt a blow on 23 minutes when Richard Tait had to be substituted after being wiped out by Rogers when the goalkeeper came to claim a cross ball. Thankfully, the manager confirmed after the match that the defender should be okay for next weekend's match against Motherwell.

Killie were inches away from making it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when Greg Kiltie's effort was deflected just by the far post. Alan Power then flashed over from range following the resulting corner.

Saints didn't create much in the first 45, but almost found themselves level nine minutes into the second-half when Jamie McGrath's long-range free-kick drifted just wide with Rogers looking beaten in the Killie goal.

Despite being behind, the game was still very much there for Saints heading into the final 30 minutes with the Buddies forcing a succession of corners without making Rogers work. Jim Goodwin responded by bringing Kristian Dennis and Lee Erwin on in place of Ethan Erhahon and Jon Obika.

Alnwick held efforts Kiltie and Burke to keep Saints with a chance heading into the final 10 minutes. And with just five minutes to go the Buddies should have been level. Rogers made a good save from Joe Shaughnessy's header following McGrath's corner. McCarthy was there on the follow-up but nodded over under pressure from the Kilmarnock defence.

It looked like that was the chance and then, in injury time, a McAllister cross was deflected into the arms of Rogers who seemed in total control of the ball. Somehow the goalkeeper carried the ball over the line to give Saints a point in our first game of the new year.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 1-1 St Mirren

MANAGER REACTION

St. Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait (McAllister 23), Connolly (MacPherson 74), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Dennis 65), Mason, Obika (Erwin 65)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley, Jamieson

Kilmarnock: Rogers, McGowan, Broadfoot, Findlay, Haunstrup, Power, Mulumbu, McKenzie, Burke, Kiltie, Whitehall (Kabamba 76)
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Dikamona, Dabo, Taylor, Pinnock, Tshibola

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

2020 ended on a disappointing note for Saints as they were beaten by Rangers at the SMiSA Stadium.

Jim Goodwin's men couldn't repeat their Betfred Cup heroics after first-half goals from Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos gave the Ibrox side a 2-0 win. 

Saints had started well with Jamie McGrath having a go from range inside the first 15 seconds. The Irish midfielder pressed Steven Davis before robbing the experienced Rangers man of the ball before striking from 25 yards which Allan McGregor was down to gather.

Saints were looking good in the early stages and should have taken the lead on 12 minutes. Dylan Connolly broke into the box and shot at McGregor who couldn't hold the low drive after a deflection off the feet of Filip Helander. Jon Obika was quick on to the follow up, but fired wide under pressure.

It was Rangers who took the lead though when Kemar Roofe broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Ianis Hagi stole the ball after Ethan Erhahon and Jake Doyle-Hayes collided around 30 yards from the Saints goal. The Romanian threaded the ball into the box where Roofe smashed home via the aid of a deflection off Conor McCarthy leaving Alnwick with no chance. 

Saints fell further behind six minutes later after a mistake from Joe Shaughnessy allowed Alfredo Morelos to race clear and slam beyond Alnwick. It was a hugely frustrating couple of minutes for the Buddies who had more than been in the match in the opening exchanges. 

Despite the setbacks, St Mirren started the second-half well with Obika testing McGregor from a tight angle on 49 minutes.

Connolly's pace was proving a threat for Saints and Borna Barisic made an important intervention to stop the Irishman going one-on-one with McGregor as the Buddies searched for a goal to give them some hope heading into the final 20 minutes. 

Jim Goodwin made a number of changes in the final 15 minutes to try and spark Saints with Kristian Dennis, Ilkay Durmus, Kyle McAllister and Cammy MacPherson all entering the fray, but none of the players could make an impact as the game fizzled out in defeat.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (McAllister 82), McGrath (Dennis 77), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (MacPherson 85), Mason (Durmus 77), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Morias, Erwin

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier (Balogun 88), Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Aribo, Hagi (Zungu 80), Roofe (Kent 73), Morelos
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Bassey, Patterson, Balogun, Barker, Barker, Itten, Defoe

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Fourth Official: Kevin Graham

Saints came away from a rainy Dingwall with a late Christmas present as goals from Marcus Fraser and Kristian Dennis gave the Buddies a 2-0 win over nine-men Ross County. 

Jim Goodwin's men were made to work for the points despite their advantage with County defending well until Fraser opened the scoring against his former club. The win made it three out of their last four on the road in the Scottish Premiership with Saints now sitting in seventh place on 21 points.

It was the home side who started brightly after taking kick-off. John Hughes' men created an opportunity within the first 30 seconds of the match with Ross Draper driving a low effort into the arms of Jak Alnwick from just inside the area. 

The goalkeeper was called into action again on four minutes when he made two terrific one-handed saves to deny County the opener. The first saw Alnwick react well to turn away a deflection off Conor McCarthy, with Ethan Erhahon on the line to head away. The ball came back in with Alex Iacovitti heading goal-ward only for Alnwick again to flick over.

Saints didn't get going in the opening stages and it was County who threatened again on 13 minutes when Jermaine Hylton found Stephen Kelly in space on the edge of the box. The on-loan defender took it first time but dragged well wide.

The Buddies grew into the game after a frustrating opening. Josh Reid was booked for the hosts when he pulled back Kyle McAllister on 17 minutes. The winger had a go from the resulting free-kick, but it cannoned off the wall.

Junior Morias had Saints best chance just before the half hour mark. The forward met a neat Erhahon flick and drove forward before unleashing a shot from 30 yards which Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw gathered at the second attempt. Less than later Jermaine Hylton did likewise for the home side with Alnwick pushing away with his chest. 

County were reduced to 10 men when Reid was given a second yellow card for another foul on McAllister. McGrath floated the free-kick in where it met the head of Lee Erwin who glanced wide.

Saints started the second-half well with ex-County player Marcus Fraser volleying just wide two minutes into the second 45. The defender didn't get the connection he would have wanted as he sclaffed just by Ross Laidlaw's left-hand post. 

Despite seeing plenty of the ball, St Mirren weren't creating any real clear cut opportunities to open the scoring which prompted manager Jim Goodwin to bring on Jon Obika and Ilkay Durmus on for Erwin and McAllister. 

Ross County were then down to nine men on the hour mark when Ross Draper was shown consecutive yellow cards. The midfielder was initially booked for a foul on Erhahon before being given another yellow for pushing the Saints midfielder in the aftermath.

As was to be expected coming up against nine men Saints pressed and pressed but still were unable to test Laidlaw. The manager made another double substitution by introducing Cammy MacPherson and Kristian Dennis in place of Erhahon and McGrath.

The Buddies continued to push for the opener with 20 minutes remaining. Durmus had a free-kick from 25 yards pushed away by Laidlaw, while Joe Shaughnessy knocked inches wide after getting on the end of Dennis' header across.

The breakthrough would finally come for St Mirren on 76 minutes when Fraser scored on his return to Dingwall. The defender was first to a County clearance and lashed home, via a deflection, from the edge of the area. 

Saints were almost two to the good a minute later when Tait rose to meet a cross only to see his header well saved by Laidlaw. 

It was all St Mirren in the closing stages and the Buddies put the seal on a good afternoon's work when Dennis nodded home from close range to score his first Saints goal and ensure the points would return to Paisley.

Full-Time: Ross County 0-2 St Mirren

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (Flynn 86), McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, McGrath (Dennis 65), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (MacPherson 65), McAllister (Durmus 57), Erwin (Obika 57), Morias 
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Connolly, Jamieson

Ross County: Laidlaw, Morris, Draper, Shaw, Vigurs (Tremarco 39, Donaldson 82), Hylton, Watson (McKay 82), Iacovitti, Kelly, Paton, Reid
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Tillson, Wright, Williamson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Fourth Official: Steven Reid  

St Mirren's unbeaten run came to an end as Hibernian picked up all three points thanks to a first-half goal from Kevin Nisbet. 

There was very little between the two sides beyond Nisbet's terrific finish on 18 minutes. That was the first real piece of play either side created in the opening period of the match. Martin Boyle was allowed to drift in from the right along the edge of the box before picking out Nisbet just inside the box. The striker didn't have much space to work with but took a touch to compose himself before stroking into the top corner leaving Jak Alnwick with no chance.  

Saints heads didn't go down after the Hibs opener with MacPherson having the visitors first opportunity of the march three minutes after the goal. The midfielder, in for the injured Jake Doyle-Hayes, swung a foot on a Marcus Fraser cross, but it was easy for Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. Jamie McGrath was next to meet a Fraser ball on 26 minutes with the in-form Irishman nodding over.

Both sides made a change at the interval with Drey Wright on for ex-Saint Kyle Magennis, while Jim Goodwin brought on Ilkay Durmus for the injured Richard Tait.

Durmus could have made a quick impact but passed up a glorious chance to get Saints level six minutes after his introduction. The winger was found in acres of space inside the Hibernian box by a terrific MacPherson cross. He got the header wrong though and harmlessly nodded wide of target.  

With a little under 25 minutes to go Jon Obika was introduced to the fold in place of Lee Erwin. And the striker almost made an immediate impact when he latched on to a Ethan Erhahon ball over the top. He took it first time when he probably had more time than he thought which allowed Hibernian sub goalkeeper Dillon Barnes to gather. 

A minute later a fortuitous break of the ball following a Wright shot fell nicely for Hibs goalscorer Nisbet in acres of space at the back post. The striker looked like he was on hand to double his and Hibernian's tally only to inexplicably send the effort wide of target. 

Saints hopes of finding a leveller heading into the latter stages of the game were made tougher when Brandon Mason was giving his marching orders. The full-back could have no complaints after he was shown a second yellow card on 83 minutes after a foul on Martin Boyle.

There was still time for some late drama when Christian Doidge was shown a red card for the home side after catching Erhahon with a loose arm. 

Saints did commit men forward in an attempt to find an equaliser that would extend the unbeaten run to 12 matches but couldn't create the opportunity that would have got us level. 

Full-Time: Hibernian 1-0 St Mirren

WATCH - JIM GOODWIN REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (Durmus 45), Connolly (Morias 70), McGrath (Dennis 70), MacPherson (McAllister 78), Erhahon, Mason, Erwin (Obika 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Foley, Flynn

Hibernian: Marciano (Barnes 57), P.McGinn, Hanlon (c), Porteous, Stevenson, Magennis (Wright 45), Hallberg (Gogic 90), Newell, Boyle, Doidge, Nisbet (Gullan 81)
Subs Not Used: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Doig, S.McGinn, Bradley

Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Don Robertson

Saints extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches after coming from behind twice to beat St Johnstone 3-2 at the SMiSA Stadium.

Ethan Erhahon's second goal of the season was sandwiched between goals from Stevie May and Scott Tanser in a disappointing first half for St Mirren.

But two late goals in the space of five minutes from Lee Erwin and Jon Obika gave the Buddies the win in the battle of the Saints. 

Erwin had the first opportunity of the game after a quiet opening to the match when his strike from distance was pushed over by St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark on 14 minutes.

On 18 minutes, man of the moment Jamie McGrath went close to scoring his sixth goal in five matches. The Irishman turned Murray Davidson brilliantly before driving a low effort just by Clark's right-hand post.

But four minutes later the Paisley Saints would find themselves behind. Referee Steven Maclean awarded the visitors a penalty when David Wotherspoon went down with minimal contact from Joe Shaughnessy. It looked soft but Stevie May stepped up and squeezed his effort just underneath Jak Alnwick to put St Johnstone in front.

With seven minutes of the half remaining St Mirren found an equaliser when youth academy graduate Erhahon slammed home. 

However, with half-time fast approaching St Johnstone took the lead for a second time. A loose clearance from Joe Shaughnessy fell straight to Scott Tanser who curled home from 20 yards. 

The first-half drama wasn't over there though as the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Jason Kerr was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Ilkay Durmus.

The Buddies dominated possession in the second-half but were finding it difficult to break down the 10 men. Indeed it was St Johnstone who went closest to extending their lead on the hour mark when Alnwick was forced into a wonderful save to tip Liam Gordon's header over the bar.

Jim Goodwin responded by introducing Obika and Kyle McAllister and the two would make the difference. McAllister sent a delightful chipped ball for Erwin to head home from a tight angle with eight minutes remaining to draw Saints level. Then, on 87 minutes, Obika managed to find himself free in the St Johnstone box to aim a header beyond Clark following another pinpoint McAllister ball to seal all the points and make it six wins from the last seven for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 St Johnstone

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (MacPherson 74), Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (Obika 61), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (McAllister 61), Durmus (Mason 74), Erwin (Morias 85)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley

St Johnstone: Clark, Kerr, Tanser, Gordon, McCart, Davidson (Melamed 90), McNamara, Wotherspoon (Bryson 74), McCann, Conway (Rooney 61), May (Hendry 74)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Booth, Craig, Kane, Ferguson

Referee: Steven Maclean 
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

St Mirren are on the march to Hampden after a stunning last-gasp win over Rangers in the Betfred Cup.

Conor McCarthy smashed Rangers' 27 game unbeaten record with an injury time winner to seal a 3-2 win over the Gers and send Saints into the semi-finals where they will face Livingston.

While it was an unforgettable night for Jim Goodwin's men they could have been forgiven for thinking that a long night was in store when Rangers took the lead with just seven minutes played. McCarthy's header was picked up deep in the Saints half by Connor Goldson who strolled beyond Ethan Erhahon on his way into the box and slammed home. 

Saints claims for a penalty were denied on 34 minutes when Jon Obika went down in the box under the challenge from Leon Balogun. Referee David Dickinson, who was a late replacement for the injured Andrew Dallas, said no.

The Buddies would win a penalty six minutes later when Dylan Connolly was felled by Calvin Bassey. Jamie McGrath stepped up and coolly stroked beyond Allan McGregor to make it four goals in four matches.

It didn't take long into the second-half for McGrath to make it five in four after a well worked move from Saints. Erhahon fed the ball down the channel to Connolly who raced down the right-hand side before swinging a low ball into the Rangers box. Jon Obika held it up before laying off to McGrath. The Irishman showed great composure to twist by the Gers defence and knock beyond McGregor to put Saints in front.

Rangers thought they were level on 65 minutes when James Tavernier had the ball in the Saints net. Alnwick couldn't hold Kent's long-range effort with Kemar Roofe on to the rebound and rolling back to Tavernier who tucked home. But the linesman had judged that Roofe had run the ball out of play.

The visitors put pressure on to try and find an equaliser in the final 15 minutes with Alnwick holding a low drive from Tavernier on 75 minutes.

Then, with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Rangers found a leveller through substitute Steven Davis. Tavernier's free-kick cracked off the post and fell to Davis whose shot into the corner just evaded Alnwick to find its way into the top corner. 

It was a sickener for Saints who looked to be heading into extra-time. But this St Mirren side had other ideas. A McGrath corner was pushed away by McGregor, only for Doyle-Hayes to force it back to McGrath who swung it in again. Richard Tait rose the highest only to be denied by a wonderful save by McGregor. It landed at the feet of McCarthy who slammed into the roof of the net to secure a memorable win for the Paisley Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (MacPherson 82), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Mason, Obika (Erwin 90)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Foley, Flynn, McAllister, Durmus, Dennis, Jamieson

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun (Hagi 84), Bassey (Barisic 56), Arfield (Davis 56), Zungu (Kamara 72), Aribo, Kent, Itten (Defoe 72), Roofe
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Helander, Patterson, Barker

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Chris Graham