St Mirren moved off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership as Jamie McGrath scored his third goal in as many games to seal a win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Saints leapfrogged Hamilton Academical and Ross County with their fourth league win of the season to move into 10th spot.

Jim Goodwin's men started brightly and weren't far from opening the scoring with just 40 seconds of the game played. Ilkay Durmus drove into the Motherwell box and sent a low ball across which Jon Obika flicked just wide. 

The hosts passed up a great chance a few minutes later. Chris Long fired across the face of the Saints goal with Callum Lang sliding in at the far post, but the striker's effort went well over.

Saints took the lead on 13 minutes as Jamie McGrath made it three goals in three. Ethan Erhahon slid a delicious ball through the heart of the Motherwell defence sending Obika through on goal. The forward's attempt was saved by the feet of Jordan Archer and fell nicely for McGrath allowing the Irishman to slam into the empty net from 18 yards. 

Buoyed by the goal, the Buddies were playing some nice football and almost doubled their lead eight minutes later. Connolly got in ahead of Liam Grimshaw to meet a cross from the left, but his header drifted agonisingly wide.

Callum Lang had a go from range but the low strike was easily held by Jak Alnwick who had a quiet afternoon to that point. 

The start of the second-half was scrappy with only a Tony Watt header which was easily gathered by Alnwick all either side had to show in the opening 20 minutes of the second 45. 

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson responded by bringing on Devante Cole, Jake Hastie and Liam Polworth for Lang, Long and Bevis Mugabi, while Jim Goodwin brought on Lee Erwin for Jon Obika.

Cole and Polworth both went close for the hosts within the space of a minute. The former shot straight at Alnwick from an angle before Polworth nodded over from close range. 

With a little over 10 minutes remaining Polworth forced Alnwick into action with the Saints goalkeeper down well to push away the midfielders effort from the edge of the box. 

Saints were able to hold firm and extend their unbeaten run to nine matches as well as picking up a valuable three points.

Full-Time: Motherwell 0-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait (Mason 73), Connolly (MacPherson 73), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus, Obika (Erwin 60)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, McAllister, Foley, Morias, Dennis

Motherwell: Archer, O'Donnell, Mugabi (Polworth 67), Gallagher, Grimshaw, O'Hara (Lamie 78), Maguire, Campbell, Watt, Lang (Hastie 56), Long (Cole 56)
Subs Not Used: Chapman, Johnston, McGinley, Devine, Crawford

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Assistant Referee: Ross MacLeod
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands

St Mirren had to settle for just a point despite a dominant display against 10 man Aberdeen this afternoon.

The Buddies had a host of chances against Derek McInnes' side but couldn't find a winner after Lewis Ferguson was sent off early in the second-half.

Just like last week's win over Aberdeen, Saints started well and fashioned the first chance with just three minutes on the clock after a neat passage of play. Ethan Erhahon fed the ball to Jon Obika on the half-way line with the forward flicking into the onrushing Ilkay Durmus. The Turkish winger broke forward before lashing a shot towards the top corner which Joe Lewis had to be at full-stretch to tip over. 

Dylan Connolly should have opened the scoring on 10 minutes. The Irishman was picked out in space by his compatriot Jamie McGrath but slammed over from close range.

Connolly went close 10 minutes later when he was sent racing clear on goal by McGrath. Aberdeen goalkeeper Lewis was out quickly to narrow the angle along with Greg Leigh. Connolly got his effort away but was denied by the legs of Lewis.

On the half-hour mark Saints had another opportunity. McGrath's corner was headed out only as far as Durmus who caught the volley sweetly, but it was straight at Lewis who pushed over.

Despite having the better of the chances it was the visitors who took the lead. Jonny Hayes managed to find space at the back post to meet Matty Kennedy's cross to head home.

It wasn't the scoreline that Saints merited for their first-half display, but just before the break the Buddies were given a chance to level from the penalty spot after the ball came off the hand of Tommie Hoban. McGrath stepped up and sent Lewis the wrong way to score his second in a week against the Pittodrie side.

Aberdeen were dealt a blow early in the second-half when Lewis Ferguson was given his marching orders following a second yellow card. 

Saints looked to press home the man advantage and created chance after chance. Substitute Cammy MacPherson curled a free-kick just wide two minutes after his introduction, while Conor McCarthy was inches away from getting on the end of a wonderful Durmus cross two minutes later. 

On 70 minutes, St Mirren had two chances in a minute. MacPherson was at the heart of both - first slipping Durmus in with a super touch only for the winger to tamely strike into the arms of Lewis. Then the goalkeeper spilled MacPherson's low drive, but McGrath couldn't turn home the loose ball. 

With five minutes remaining MacPherson was so close to the winner when he curled towards the far post. It looked like it was creeping in but went agonisingly over. 

Aberdeen had a big chance to snatch the win on 87 minutes. The returning Joe Shaughnessy missed a clearance which allowed Curtis Main to slide in Ryan Edmondson. The striker ran through into the Saints box but shot straight at Jak Alnwick.

And then twice in injury time it was St Mirren who should have found a winner. Kyle McAllister slid the ball through for Richard Tait whose shot was blocked by Lewis and then, with almost the last kick of the ball, Lee Erwin should have burst the net but had his effort blocked on the line by the Aberdeen defence. 

Full Time: St Mirren 1-1 Aberdeen

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION.

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaugnessy (c), Tait, Connolly (Dennis 78), Erhahon (MacPherson 64), Doyle-Hayes, McGrath, Durmus (McAllister 78), Obika (Erwin 58)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Mason, Flynn, Foley, Morias

Aberdeen: Lewis (c), Hoban, Considine, Leigh, Taylor (Logan 45), Hedges (Ojo 60), Hayes (Devlin 79), McCrorie, Ferguson, Kennedy (Edmondson 79), Cosgrove (Main 64)
Subs Not Used: Woods, McLennan, Hernandez, Campbell

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Fourth Official: Alan Muir

Jamie McGrath's late winner sent St Mirren into the quarter-finals of the Betfred Cup. 

The midfielder's strike was fumbled into the net by Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis to give Saints a well deserved 2-1 win. 

The Buddies were at it from the get go and made the perfect start when the returning Ilkay Durmus netted his first goal of the season on four minutes. The winger, who has been missing with injury, marked his return to the starting line-up by slamming home from 20 yards.

The free-kick had come after terrific play from Dylan Connolly who went on a super driving run from the half-way line, bursting deep into the Aberdeen half before being halved by Jonny Hayes 20 yards from goal. Durmus made no mistake as he found the bottom corner of the net. 

Saints were well on top and almost doubled their lead just three minutes later. Richard Tait cracked the post with a low effort from 25 yards with the rebound just evading Jon Obika allowing the visitors to clear. 

The Buddies pressed for a second as time ticked away at the end of the first-half. On 38 minutes, Connolly did brilliantly to turn Greg Leigh and race clear on goal. Lewis was out quickly to block the shot but Aberdeen couldn't clear the danger. Cammy MacPherson sent the ball back across the face of goal where Durmus got a slight flick which was blocked by Leigh.

Obika should have made it 2-0 on 41 minutes but the forward turn and knocked wide under pressure from Dons goalkeeper Lewis.

How Saints would rue that miss as Aberdeen equalised less than two minutes later. A Hayes ball fell fortuitously for Niall McGinn who knocked beyond Alnwick from close range to level heading into half-time.

Aberdeen spurned a huge chance to go ahead early in the second-half. Thomas Hoban had loads of space to meet a Ryan Hedges corner but headed wide of target. 

Saints, while not creating as much as they did in the first-half, still had the majority of the play. McGrath sent an effort well over on 52 minutes, while Durmus smashed into the side netting after jinking into the box five minutes later.

Heading into the final 10 minutes the Buddies upped the pressure. Marcus Fraser cut inside and shot into the arms of Lewis before substitute Morias was denied by a tremendous save from the Dons goalkeeper. 

But it would count for nothing for the visitors as Saints would find the winner with two minutes of normal time remaining. McGrath took aim from distance with Lewis spilling into the back of the net to book Saints' place in the last eight. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Aberdeen

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Foley (c), Tait, Connolly (Morias 83), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, MacPherson, Durmus (McAllister 72), Obika (Erwin 72)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Sheron, Finlayson, Flynn, Dennis, Jamieson

Aberdeen: Lewis, Hoban, Considine, Leigh, Ojo, McGinn (Devlin 45), Hedges, Cosgrove (Main 45), Hayes, Campbell (Edmondson 90), Kennedy
Subs Not Used: Woods, Taylor, Hernandez, Ngwenya, Ramsay, Duncan

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Fourth Official: Grant Irvine

St Mirren picked up their first league win since August as Jake Doyle-Hayes' first Saints goal gave the Buddies three points in Livingston.

The Irishman struck early in the second-half to ensure Jim Goodwin's side took all the points back to Paisley.

It was the home side who created the first opening with three minutes played. Alan Forrest drove forward and lashed a fizzing effort from distance which Jak Alnwick could only punch clear into the path of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. The ex-Arsenal striker got his head on it but sent it wide. 

Saints had their first chance on nine minutes when captain Sam Foley headed over from close range after Jamie McGrath's free-kick was spilled by Livi goalkeeper Max Stryjek. 

Three minutes later another McGrath free-kick caused Livingston problems. The midfielder's ball in came off Richard Tait who didn't know much about it leaving Stryjek diving low to his right to save.

Neither side created all the much of note in the remainder of the first-half. Marcus Fraser made a vital block to deny Emmanuel-Thomas, while Stryjek managed to easily gather a Tait header.

Livingston created the first clear cut chance of the second 45 with Alnwick making a terrific save to turn away a Forrest drive. 

But it was the Buddies who would take the lead. A good passage of play from Saints saw Fraser lay a perfect low ball across for McGrath who connected perfectly, cannoning off Jon Guthrie and out for a corner. it was McGrath who swung the resultant corner in. His ball across was headed clear by the Livi defence but only as far as Jake Doyle-Hayes who smashed a first-time volley home, via the aid of a deflection, to score his first St Mirren goal.

That goal was to enough for Saints to gain their first three points since an away win to Hamilton Academical back in August and moved the Buddies to within a point of Livingston in 10th place. 

Full-Time: Livingston 0-1 St Mirren

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Foley (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (McAllister 79), McGrath (MacPherson 90), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Mason, Obika (Erwin 82)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Sheron, Flynn, Durmus, Morias, Dennis

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Guthrie, Brown, Lawson (Poplatnik 74), Sibbald (Serrano 64), Holt, Pittman (Mullin 74), Bartley (c), Forrest, Emmanuel-Thomas
Subs Not Used: Maley, Robinson, McMillan, Taylor-Sinclair, Ambrose, Fitzwater

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger

St Mirren finished top of Betfred Cup Group G and qualified for the second-round after a late Jon Obika goal secured a 1-0 win over Queen's Park at Hampden.

The Saints number nine rose the highest to get his head on the end of a Kyle McAllister corner to nod home his fifth goal of the season and put the Buddies in the hat for tomorrow's draw.

Jim Goodwin made five changes from the side that drew with Morton on Wednesday night as Jamie McGrath, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Cammy MacPherson, Dylan Connolly and Kristian Dennis came in for Brandon Mason, Sam Foley, McAllister, Junior Morias and Obika.

Saints knew a drew would secure a place in the next round but it was the home side who, immediately from kick-off, tested Jak Alwnick with the goalkeeper having to push away Bob McHugh's strike from the edge of the area inside the first 15 seconds.

St Mirren's first real opportunity came on 20 minutes when Marcus Fraser expertly picked out Kristian Dennis. The forward got his head on it but nodded just wide of Willie Muir's right-hand post. 

Fraser was linking up well with Richard Tait down the right and it was the former who created the next chance for Saints five minutes later. His low ball across the area found Cammy MacPherson just inside the Queen's Park box but the midfielder blazed over.

Peter Grant headed a dangerous ball across the face of the Saints box as time ticked away in what was a pretty quiet first 45.  

Jim Goodwin responded to that first-half performance by bringing Brandon Mason on in place of Cammy MacPherson at the interval. But Saints were dealt a major blow just three minutes into the second-half when Joe Shaughnessy was shown a straight red for a foul on Michael Doyle. 

Queen's Park should have capitalised on their man advantage five minutes later. Forward McHugh was picked out at the back post but, unmarked, he nodded straight into the arms of Alnwick. 

With a little over 20 minutes remaining Jim Goodwin made a double sub to try and spark Saints into life. On came Kyle McAllister as well as Ryan Flynn who made his return to action for the first time since February.

McAllister's introduction seemed to have the desired effect. He had a terrific chance to open with scoring with just 12 minutes of the game remaining when he found himself through on goal. However, the number 10's low strike was blocked by the feet of Muir.

With just nine minutes remaining Saints found the breakthrough when, for the second time this week, Obika got his head on a McAllister corner to  home. 

Saints will be unseeded in tomorrow's second-round draw which takes place live on Premier Sports following the match between Hibernian and Dundee.

Full-Time: Queen's Park 0-1 St Mirren

WATCH MANAGER JIM GOODWIN'S REACTION TO TODAY'S MATCH HERE.

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, McGrath (Flynn 70), MacPherson (Mason 45), Connolly (McAllister 70), Dennis (Obika 54)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Sheron, Foley, Morias, Erwin

Queen's Park: Muir, Doyle, Kilday (Biggar 75), Grant, Morrison, Robson, Carroll, Lyon (Gillespie 74), Galt (MacLean 62), Baynham (Quitongo 63), McHugh (McGlinchey 82)
Subs Not Used: Heraghty, Paterson, Gilles

Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Colin Drummond

St Mirren's hopes of qualifying for the second-round of the Betfred Cup will go to the final match after the Buddies were held by Morton.

A win at Hampden will be enough to secure top spot for Jim Goodwin's side, though Saints will be disappointed it has not been effectively wrapped up this evening after the cliched game of two halves at the SMiSA Stadium.

The Buddies were dominant in the first-half but only had Jon Obika's header to show for their efforts. Morton raised their game in the second-half with substitute Ross Maciver levelling seconds after his introduction on the hour mark.

Saints started brightly with Obika having the first attempt of the game just three minutes in. The forward held off a Morton defender before squeezing a low effort through the legs of Markus Fjortoft but goalkeeper Aidan McAdams held at the near post. 

McAdams denied Junior Morias and then Obika again with two good saves. First the goalkeeper got a strong hand to Morias' shot on 15 minutes, before Obika had a low effort blocked seven minutes later after McAllister's brilliant reverse pass put the forward through on goal.

It was McAllister who had the next opportunity when he almost caught the Morton goalkeeper out with a long-range free-kick. The number 10's low effort bounced in front of McAdam who eventually managed to push clear. 

Marcus Fraser was inches away from giving Saints the lead on 36 minutes after Joe Shaughnessy sent across an incredible ball from the left which only required the defender to get a toe on it to turn home. 

Saints pressure finally told two minutes later when Obika headed home from McAllister's corner to score his fourth goal of the season. 

Skipper Sam Foley had the first chance of the second half when he clipped over the bar five minutes after the restart. 

But the visitors started to grow into the match with Jak Alnwick having to be alert on 54 minutes to turn an Aiden Nesbitt chip over the cross bar.

Nesbitt was replaced five minutes later with Ross Maciver coming on in place of the number 10. And the substitute made an instant impact as his first act of the match was to head the visitors level within seconds of his introduction. 

Saints felt they should have had a penalty on when sub Dylan Connolly drove into the box before sending a ball across the box which appeared to strike the arm of a Morton defender. The Irishman protested but referee Bobby Madden was unmoved. 

Josh McPake was introduced as a substitute on 75 minutes and he almost made the same impact as Maciver with the midfielder slamming inches wide of the far post after bursting into the Saints box moments after coming on.

That was to be the best chance in the final 15 minutes with the game going to penalties for the bonus point.

Kristian Dennis missed the first penalty, but McGrath, Connolly, Erwin, Foley, Fraser and Mason all scored while Alnwick saved in sudden death from McPake to give Saints a 6-5 shoot-out win.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Morton (St Mirren win 6-5 on penalties to gain bonus point)

St Mirren: Alnwick, Tait, Fraser, Shaughnessy, McCarthy (McGrath 77), Mason, Erhahon (Doyle-Hayes 45), Foley (c), McAllister (Erwin 59), Morias (Dennis 59), Obika (Connolly 72)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, MacPherson

Morton: McAdams, Ledger, Fjortoft, McLean (McGuffie 86), McGinty, Muirhead (McPake 75), Nesbitt (Maciver 59), Salkeld (Oliver 75), Strapp, Blues (Jacobs 45), Omar
Subs Not Used: Orsi, Lyon, Colville, Wallace

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge
Fourth Official: Chris Graham

St Mirren were held to a goalless draw by Dundee United as the Buddies returned to action for the first time in almost a month. 

Jim Goodwin's men had the better of the 90 minutes but couldn't find the goal that would have given them a deserved three points during a foggy night in Paisley.

Saints were in control of the first half with the first real opportunity coming on 17 minutes. Debutant Brandon Mason, who joined up with the squad earlier this week, sent in a terrific ball from the left which found Jamie McGrath in space inside the United box. The midfielder got his shot away but it was deflected into the path of Richard Tait who looked certain to open the scoring but for a vital block from Dundee United defender Jamie Robson. 

For all of St Mirren's possession, it would take the home side until the 35th minute to create another good chance. Tait went so close when he got the slightest touch to Kristian Dennis' flick-on but knocked it wide of the United goal.

Saints started the second-half brightly with Mason sending an effort over the bar on 50 minutes before McGrath dragged a strike wide four minutes later. On 58 minutes it was Cammy MacPherson's turn to go close to breaking the deadlock, but the St Mirren Academy graduate curled wide from the edge of the area. Tait wasn't far away either three minutes later when he lashed a low drive just past the post. 

Jake Doyle-Hayes, making his first St Mirren appearance after completing his move to the Buddies earlier this week, had an opportunity with seven minutes remaining as he burst into the box and got his shot away only for it to be deflected wide. 

With time ticking away the Saints bench were furious when referee David Munro failed to point to the spot when substitute Jon Obika appeared to be clipped in the box by Paul McMullan. It wasn't St Mirren's night with Jim Goodwin's side settling for a point in Paisley.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dundee United

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, MacPherson (Obika 71), McGrath (Morias 80), Mason (Foley 80), Dennis (Erwin 58)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Sheron, Connolly, McAllister

Dundee United: Siegrist, Smith, Reynolds, Butcher, Robson, Edwards, Harkes (Powers 59), Bolton (McMullan 70), Pawlett (McNulty 59), Shankland, Clark
Subs Not Used: Mehmet, Sporle, Fotheringham, Appere, Neilson, Fuchs

Referee: David Munro
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands

Saints fought back from a disastrous start at Palmerston to draw with Queen of the South before picking up a bonus point in the penalty shoot-out.

Queens stunned the Buddies with two goals inside the first 15 minutes, Connor Shields opening the scoring before Aidan Fitzpatrick finished well after a great passing move cut open the visiting defence.

Jamie McGrath halved the gap early in the second half when his free-kick found the net without appearing to touch anyone. There was plenty of time to find an equaliser but it didn't look as if it would come until, in the final minute, Marcus Fraser headed in his first Buddies goal to force a penalty shoot-out.

The lack of fans meant a lot of the normal drama and tension was missing but Queens were always up against it after missing their first two spot-kicks, Saints converting all of theirs to pick up the extra point.

Saints may have beaten Partick Thistle during the week but that didn't stop manager Jim Goodwin making three changes, Sam Foley, Kyle McAllister and Ilkay Durmus being handed starts at the expense of Jon Obika, Junior Morias and Cammy MacPherson, who were on the bench. The ever-dangerous Stephen Dobbie led the home attack with former Saint Gregor Buchanan in the defence.

Dobbie went close to opening the scoring after just five minutes, drawing a good save from Jak Alnwick after he connected well with Shields' cutback. However, the warning wasn't heeded and moments later Shields nicked the ball from Richard Tait midway inside the Saints half and he powered forward before thumping the ball across Alnwick into the far corner to put Queens in front.

The bad start got even worse five minutes later. McGrath lost possession to Fitzpatrick and some a few slick passes put the on-loan Norwich man through on goal, Alnwick having no chance as the winger fired past him.

Saints had found themselves in this sort of position at Palmerston just before Christmas in 2017 and went on to win, however a similar fightback looked pretty unlikely at this stage. They did begin to enjoy some more possession but did little with it and Queens goalie Rohan Ferguson wasn't unduly troubled. Indeed, the Doonhamers could have moved even further ahead when Ayo Obileye was left unmarked at Joe McKee's corner but he headed wide.

Saints finally threatened in the final 10 minutes of the half. McAllister was desperately unlucky to see his fantastic free-kick rattle the post, Ferguson producing a good save to tip Fraser's follow up header over the bar. Another chance came from the corner, the unmarked Sam Foley failing to find the target with his header.

Obika replaced Nathan Sheron at the break but things almost got worse for Saints when Foley was short with his backpass, Alnwick booting the ball then Dobbie as he bailed his skipper out of trouble. The Buddies made the most of that let-off by reducing the deficit within seconds, McGrath floating a free-kick into the box that sailed into the net after seeming to be missed by everyone.

Dobbie dragged a shot wide as he tried to restore the hosts' two goal advantage before Saints almost drew themselves level, Ferguson producing a great save to keep out Joe Shaughnessy's header. The Buddies looked a much improved side as they looked to get themselves back on level terms, however were almost back to square one when Shields was left in too much space on the left and he found Fitzpatrick, whose shot was blocked by the legs of Tait. The defender showed he could be effective at the other end too when he prodded a corner towards goal, one of his team-mates unintentionally helping it over the bar with Ferguson beaten.

The next goal was going to be crucial, Fitzpatrick shooting wide from close range and Euan East seeing his shot deflected behind after he took advantage of a Fraser slip. The corner provided more problems, Dobbie's shot being blocked on the line before Alnwick saved from James Maxwell. Another chance came Dobbie's way a few minutes later but it was a tight angle and he volleyed wide.

The brief flurry of chances after McGrath's goal proved to be a false dawn, although the Irishman had a penalty shout turned down when his shot appeared to hit the arm of a Queens defender. As the clock ticked down, it seemed the well-organised home defence would hold out but with just seconds remaining, Ethan Erhahon produced a wonderful cross that found Fraser and he looped a header over Ferguson to bring the Buddies level.

With penalties looming, Saints almost snatched a winner deep into stoppage time, Cammy MacPherson drawing a fine save from Ferguson after being set-up by fellow sub Junior Morias. With a draw earning both sides a point, it was on to the shoot-out and this time it was Queens who started poorly as they missed their first two penalties, the next six being converted to give the Buddies an extra point.

Full-Time: Queen of the South 2-2 St Mirren (St Mirren win 4-2 on penalties)

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Sheron (Obika 45), Shaughnessy, Tait, McAllister (Connolly 60), Foley, McGrath, Erhahon, Durmus (MacPherson 71), Erwin (Morias 60)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Urminsky, Jamieson

Queen of the South: Ferguson, Maxwell, Buchanan, Obileye, McKee, Fitzpatrick, Pybus, Shields, Dobbie (McGrory 88), East (Goss 85), Gibson
Subs Not Used: Leighfield, Nortey, McCabe, Robinson, Joseph, McKechnie, Sylla

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie

Picture courtesy of David Henderson.

St Mirren stuck four goals past Partick Thistle to get off to a winning start in Group G of the Betfred Cup.

Richard Tait's diving header bang on half-time gave Saints the lead at the interval. But Jim Goodwin's men were pegged back on 65 minutes when Partick substitute Blair Spittal levelled. 

Jon Obika got Saints back in front with 15 minutes remaining before two goals in a minute from Joe Shaughnessy and Dylan Connelly sealed a 4-1 win for the Buddies.

Saints had the first real opportunity in the opening minutes with Lee Erwin having an effort held by Partick goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon. But the League One side were certainly up for making a game of it and had two terrific chances to take the lead inside the first 15 minutes. First, Shea Gordon managed to race clear of the St Mirren defence but was denied by Jak Alnwick who got strong hands to the shot to push away. Then, on 15 minutes, Marcus Fraser made a wonderful last-gasp clearance on the line to stop Brian Graham making it 1-0 after the Thistle forward had gotten his shot away underneath Alnwick. Indeed, Graham was convinced the effort had crossed the line but TV replays showed Fraser had just scrambled clear.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining Thistle went close twice in the space of a minute with an excellent recovery challenge from Tait blocking Gordon. From the resultant corner Brian Graham's header had to be cleared off the line by Ethan Erhahon. 

Half-time was approaching and it looked poised to be stalemate at the break, but Saints grabbed a goal with the final action of the half when Tait got low to head home a Jamie McGrath corner. 

The game was still finely balanced into the second-half and Thistle should have been level on the hour mark when Conor Murray was found in acres of space inside the Buddies box. But the forward nodded his header weakly into the arms of Alnwick. 

Four minutes later Saints could have scored a second and wrapped up the win when McGrath had beaten Sneddon from edge of the box but his effort cracked off the post. And how quickly a game can turn as Partick found an equaliser less than 60 seconds later. Blair Spittal, who had just signed for Partick on loan earlier in the afternoon knocked home from inside the box to level.

The Buddies would, however, find themselves back ahead 10 minutes later when substitute Kyle McAllister threaded a lovely ball through for Jon Obika. The forward beat the defender and slid home from close range to score his 15th goal for Saints.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Saints added a third to secure the win. Joe Shaughnessy looked to have got the final touch before Rhys Breen's touch took it over the line. And then, almost instantly, the shine was put on the win as Dylan Connolly slammed home a neat effort from just inside the box to round-off a solid win for Jim Goodwin's side. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 4-1 Partick Thistle

St Mirren: Alnwick, Tait, Shaughnessy, Fraser, Morias (McAllister 59), MacPherson (Foley 77), Sheron (Connolly 59), Erhahon, McGrath, Obika (Jamieson 84), Erwin (Durmus 77)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Urminsky

Partick Thistle: Sneddon, Williamson (McKenna 75), Penrice, Brownlie, Cardle (Spittal 61), Bannigan, Graham (Kouider-Aissa 84), Gordon, Breen, Murray (Lyons 75), Docherty (c)
Subs Not Used: Scullion, Rudden, Reilly, Niang, Rodden

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Assistant Referee: Kevin McElhinney

JIM GOODWIN REACTION 

St Mirren were cruelly defeated by Aberdeen as Lewis Ferguson's injury time effort sealed a 2-1 win for the Dons.

Ethan Erhahon's first league goal had given Saints the lead before Marley Watkins levelled for the home side. With time ebbing away Ferguson netted in injury time from just outside the box to win it for Aberdeen.

Marley Watkins raced through and managed to shrug off Conor McCarthy. He found himself at the byline but his attempted cut-back was blocked by Jak Alnwick before McCarthy got clear. 

Alnwick was called into action again four minutes later when he made a good save to deny Scott Wright from the edge of the area. Niall McGinn was on to the follow-up but McCarthy put his body on the line to block what looked likely to be the opener. 

Alnwick was busy again as the Saints goalkeeper got down well to push away Lewis Ferguson's powerful 20 yard drive on 18 minutes. 

Saints were well in the match and went close twice in the space of a minute on the half-hour mark. Lee Erwin sent Jon Obika on his way with a flick on from Alnwick's goal kick. The forward held of the Dons defence to go through but Aberdeen's Tommie Hoban did well to block Obika's effort and send it wide. Then, moments later, a Cammy MacPherson strike was deflected just over Joe Lewis' cross bar.

Erwin was causing Aberdeen problems and went close himself on 37 minutes when he was found in space at the back post. The striker met the ball but his effort, from a tight angle, was held by Lewis.

Jim Goodwin would have been asking for more of the same at the break and Saints' positive performance was met by a goal nine minutes into the second-half. St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Ethan Erhahon scored his first league goal for Saints with an unbelievable strike from distance. The 19 year-old met MacPherson's touch and rattled it into the top corner from 22 yards with Lewis rooted to the spot. 

It was no less than Saints deserved with Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes making changes by bringing on Connor McLennan and Ryan Edmondson for Scott Wright and Niall McGinn. The changes seemed to spark the Dons into life and they levelled with less than 20 minutes to go when Marley Watkins drove home from just inside the box after a near bit of play from the home side.

Saints looked like they were about to earn a well-deserved point but Ferguson's injury time effort cruelly snuck beyond Alnwick to give Aberdeen all three points.

Full-Time: Aberdeen 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Sheron, Obika, MacPherson, McGrath, Morias, Fraser, Erwin, Erhahon
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Jamieson, Durmus, McAllister

Aberdeen: Lewis, Hoban, Considine, McGinn (Edmondson 63), Hedges (McGeouch 90), Taylor (Anderson 87), Hayes, Ferguson, Wright (McLennan 63), McCrorie, Watkins
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Logan, Ojo, McGeouch, Hernandez, MacKenzie

Referee: Gavin Duncan
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Fourth Official: Alan Muir