St Mirren couldn't do the double over Celtic as the Buddies were beaten 4-0 at the SMiSA Stadium. 

Tom Rogic gave Celtic a first-half lead, before three goals in four minutes late in the second-half wrapped up the win for the visitors.

Jim Goodwin's side had started brightly with Jamie McGrath having the first opportunity of the game on four minutes when he flashed a 20-yard volley over. 

But despite the good start Saints were an early double blow when McGrath injured his shoulder and had to be substituted on 14 minutes before Rogic gave the away side the lead a minute later. McGrath looked to have dislocated his shoulder and when play resumed after he left the park, Rogic was afforded too much room to break into the St Mirren box and fire an effort into the low left-hand corner.  

Callum McGregor and Scott Brown could both count themselves lucky to have avoided bookings after rash challenges on Ethan Erhahon and Ryan Flynn. 

Saints best chance of the first-half came two minutes before the break. A great Kyle McAllister through ball found Dylan Connolly whose touch was brilliant to bring it under control but he slid the shot wide under pressure from Celtic defender Jonjoe Kenny. 

Ilkay Durmus was presented with a good opportunity on 49 minutes when Jon Obika was fouled on the edge of the Celtic box. The Turkish winger stepped up to take the free-kick but cannoned off the Celtic wall.

And in truth the Buddies never really got themselves going in the second-half. In a five minute spell before the hour-mark, McGregor dragged a strike wide for Celtic while Odsonne Edouard sent a shot wide from close range before David Turnbull was twice denied by Saints goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. 

With 13 minutes remaining, Celtic were awarded a penalty-kick. It looked very soft as Greg Taylor went down with Ryan Flynn in close proximity. Referee Don Robertson had no hesitation and booked the St Mirren midfielder for the perceived challenge. Edouard fired home to double Celtic's advantage.

The visitors then scored two goals in two minutes through substitute Ryan Christie and Turnbull to put the seal on a disappointing night for the Buddies.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-4 Celtic

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Connolly (MacPherson 72), Flynn (Erwin 81), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus, McGrath (McAllister 15), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Mason, Finlayson, Henderson, Jamieson

Celtic: Bain, Kenny, Ajer, Welsh (Duffy 68), Taylor, Brown, Rogic (Griffiths 85), McGregor, Turnbull (Elyounoussi 85), Ajeti (Christie 68), Edouard (Klimala 80)
Subs Not Used: Barkas, Duffy, Laxalt, Soro, Johnston

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Fourth Official: David Dickinson

Kyle McAlister’s first goal of the season helped the Buddies return to winning ways as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory against Kilmarnock at the SMiSA Stadium. McAlister’s first-half header was followed up by an opportunistic Jon Obika strike as the Paisley Saints inflicted a fifth-straight league defeat on Kilmarnock.

The visitors had the first real chance of the game in seven minutes when Greg Kiltie slipped the ball through the Buddies defence for Danny Whitehall but he dragged his shot wide of Dean Lyness’s goal.

Deputising for the suspended Jak Alnwick, Lyness was rarely troubled throughout with a well-timed header from the keeper denying Colin Doyle what would have been the definition of a route one goal.

Saints grew more into the game as the half wore on as McAllister and Jamie McGrath both saw efforts from 25 yards saved by Doyle.

After McAllister fired wide from 10 yards on 25 minutes, he made sure he wouldn’t miss second time round rising perfectly to head home from a similar range 13 minutes later to break the deadlock.

It could have been two just before half time when Jamie McGrath was played through but Doyle was quick off the mark to close him down and make the save.

Killie started the second half well, winning the first corner of the match before Alan Power’s effort from the edge of the box was blocked.

On the hour mark – and moments after he thought he’d been fouled in the box – Jon Obika made a nuisance of himself, leaving Power with egg on his face, as he robbed the midfielder in the box and coolly slotted the ball home for 2-0.

If anything summed up that it just wasn’t to be Kilmarnock’s day, it was a corner on 70 minutes. The initial ball in was headed only as far clear as Power on the edge of the box where he twice and Gary Dicker once had shots blocked with the Buddies prepared to put their bodies on the line to protect the clean sheet.

As Saints looked to see the game out, captain Joe Shaughnessy almost put the cherry on top of the cake from a corner on 88 minutes but he put the ball over the bar.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Kilmarnock

St Mirren: Lyness, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, McAllister (Connolly 68), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus (Flynn 84), Obika
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Finlayson, Mason, Henderson, MacPherson, Erwin, Jamieson

Kilmarnock: Doyle, McKenzie, Medley, Ibsen Rossi, Haunstrup, Power, Dicker (c), Tshibola (Mulumbu 61), Pierrick (Burke 61), Kiltie (Kabamba 78), Whitehall (Pinnock 78)
Subs Not Used: Lyle, McGowan, Millen, Brindley, Dabo

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart

10 man St Mirren were edged out by Hibernian at the SMiSA Stadium this evening.

Despite a strong performance in the opening 30 minutes, a first-half red card for goalkeeper Jak Alnwick left Saints under pressure with Hibernian taking advantage of their extra man in the second-half. 

Kristian Dennis, fresh from scoring two goals in his last two games, was proving a nuisance in the early stages. With 10 minutes on the clock the English forward flicked wide from 20 yards, before not being too far away six minutes later when he flashed another shot just by the right-hand post. The striker was then a whisker away from getting his toe on to Ryan Flynn's knock-on as St Mirren pressed for an opener.

But the Saints were dealt a major blow with nine minutes of the half remaining when Jak Alnwick was shown a straight red card. Jake Doyle-Hayes' loose back-pass was latched on to by Martin Boyle who raced through on goal. The Saints goalkeeper was out to try and avert the danger but brought the forward down 25 yards from goal. Referee Alan Muir showed no hesitation in pulling out the red card and in the stopper could probably have no complaints about the decision. 

Dean Lyness entered the fray and was immediately tested by ex-Saint Paul McGinn with a drive from the edge of the box which the goalkeeper held well. 

Both sides made a change at the break with Jon Obika replacing Ilkay Durmus and Ryan Porteous coming on for the visitors in place of Darren McGregor.

And within 10 minutes of his introduction, Porteous had put Hibernian ahead. The defender was up highest to bullet home a Boyle corner. 

Hibs were having the bulk of the possession as they searched for a second. Lyness made a terrific save on 66 minutes to tip over a Christian Doidge header after the forward found space to get on to the end of a Boyle cross from the right. 

With 20 minutes remaining the visitors were awarded a penalty kick when Jamie Murphy went down in the box under the challenge of Marcus Fraser. Boyle stepped forward and smashed down the middle to leave Saints with a mountain to climb.

But to the Buddies credit they never gave in and with just over 15 minutes remaining, Saints pulled a goal back to give them a lifeline heading into the final stretch. A quick counter saw substitute Dylan Connolly race clear of the Hibernian backline and pick out Jon Obika with a lovely ball across the face of goal allowing the striker to slam home. 

The Buddies did press as they looked for a leveller but couldn't test Marciano as the visitors held on for the three points. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Hibernian

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (McAllister 83), Durmus (Obika 46), Doyle-Hayes, Flynn, McGrath, Dennis (Lyness 38), Brophy (Connolly 54)
Subs Not Used: Finlayson, Mason, Erhahon, MacPherson, Erwin

Hibernian: Marciano, P.McGinn, McGregor (Porteous 46), Hanlon (c), Cadden (Nisbet 54), Gogic, Irvine, Doig, Boyle, Doidge, Murphy (Magennis 90)
Subs Not Used: Macey, Stevenson, Hallberg, Allan, Wright, Bradley

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam 
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

St Mirren won at Celtic Park for the first time since 1990 after a brilliant 2-1 victory over Celtic.

Jim Goodwin's men were worthy winners with goals from Kristian Dennis and Ilkay Durmus either side of an Odsonne Edouard strike giving Saints their first away win against Celtic in over 30 years.

Saints showed intent from the get go with the manager opting to play a 3-4-2-1 formation with Durmus and Dylan Connolly playing off striker Dennis, while Kyle McAllister and Cammy MacPherson also came into the side. Dennis had a low drive held by Scott Bain on 12 minutes, before Jamie McGrath curled into the arms of the Celtic goalkeeper a few minutes later.

The Buddies early pressure would tell with Dennis scoring his second goal in as many games on 18 minutes. The striker latched on to a low Connolly ball from the right and smashed under Bain to put us in front. 

Saints were in control in the first-half, but would be pegged back just after 30 minutes when Celtic's French forward Edouard was found by Callum McGregor in the St Mirren box. He got in ahead of Conor McCarthy and managed to slot beyond Jak Alnwick. 

Within five minutes St Mirren were back in front. Durmus did brilliantly to get in ahead of Shane Duffy to meet a McAllister lob and fired home from the angle to put Saints ahead for a second time.

McAllister wasn't a million miles away from extending that lead early in the second-half with a go from distance. The drive from 25 yards was deflected just over the Celtic bar, but it looked like one of those efforts that could have ended up anywhere. 

Celtic made a number of changes in search of an equaliser with Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti introduced to the fray just after the hour mark. The former slammed two attempts over the bar from distance. 

Saints had to be strong till the final whistle with Celtic probing in the final minutes. Tom Rogic curled an effort just wide of the far post, while an Edouard free-kick from a good area was deflected off the wall. 

Alnwick made a wonderful stop in the final minute of added time to deny Duffy and ensure all three points would, deservedly, make their way back along the M77 to Paisley.

Full-Time: Celtic 1-2 St Mirren

REACTION: JIM GOODWIN 

REACTION: JAK ALNWICK

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), McGrath, MacPherson (Obika 73), Erhahon, McAllister (Doyle-Hayes 62), Connolly (Tait 85), Durmus, Dennis (Brophy 62)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Henderson, Jamieson

Celtic: Bain, Ajer, Bitton (Welsh 46), Duffy, Taylor, McGregor (c), Soro (Christie 62), Turnbull (Johnston 81), Elyounoussi (Ajeti 62), Griffiths (Rogic 46), Edouard
Subs Not Used: Barkas, Ralston, Laxalt, Klimala

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Duncan Williams

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