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

Saints' disappointing run of form continued as Kilmarnock consigned them to a fifth successive defeat at a sun-soaked Paisley.

The decisive moment came as the half hour mark approached, Killie making their possession dominance count when Chris Burke's cross was converted by Nicke Kabamba.

Lee Erwin had hit the bar for Saints before the goal but the hosts rarely looked like finding an equaliser, while the returning Jak Alnwick had a fairly quiet game at the other end aside from a fine stop from Ross Millen early in the second half.

Alnwick was one of four changes made to the side that lost at Tannadice a week ago, with Junior Morias, Ilkay Durmus and Cammy MacPherson also coming into the side. That meant Jon Obika and Kyle McAllister dropped to the bench, with Richard Tait suspended. The Killie defence was packed with former Buddies including goalie Danny Rogers and defenders Kirk Broadfoot, while Andy Millen was in the technical area with son Ross on the field.

Killie had plenty of possession in the opening quarter but it was Saints who had the better of the chances. When a visiting corner was cleared to Morias, he released but he perhaps let the angle get a bit too tight before dragging a shot wide of the far post. The winger was the provider for the Buddies' next opportunity as his corner found Erwin and his header appeared to be tipped onto the bar by Rogers, however the officials gave a goal-kick.

Kilmarnock's crosses had been causing a few problems for the Saints defence and it was from one of those that they took the lead. The ball was worked out wide to Burke and when he put it into the danger area Kabamba was there to sweep home. Saints tried to respond and Rogers failed to hold Jamie McGrath's corner but Joe Shaughnessy poked the loose ball over the bar. The Ayrshire side had a chance to double their lead just before the break but Burke curled his free-kick from the edge of the box well over the bar.

Jim Goodwin made a double change at the break, Obika and Nathan Sheron coming on for Foley and McGrath. Before they could do anything, the visitors nearly added a second, Millen finding Greg Kiltie and his shot was superbly tipped behind by Alnwick, the goalie comfortably dealing with Broadfoot's header from the corner that followed.

Marcus Fraser was then perhaps a bit fortunate to escape with a yellow card when he caught Millen in the chest with his studs, the contact unintentional as the Saints fullback tried to bring the ball under control.

Dylan Connolly replaced Durmus as the hour mark approached and the change did give Saints a bit more attacking intent but chances were few and far between at both ends. McAllister replaced Ethan Erhahon for the final 10 minutes and Saints had a penalty shout turned down soon after when Broadfoot clearly caught Shaughnessy as they jostled at a corner, however ref David Munro was unmoved.

In stoppage time, Connolly did well to dig out a cross but neither Obika or Morias were able to connect and any hope of salvaging a point was gone.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Kilmarnock

St Mirren: Alnwick, MacPherson, Shaughnessy, McCarthy, Fraser, McGrath (Obika 45), Foley (Sheron 45), Erhahon (McAllister 82), Durmus (Connolly 60), Morias, Erwin
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Jamieson

Kilmarnock: Rogers, Millen (Rossi 90), Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters, Power, Dicker (c), Kiltie, Tshibola, Burke (McKenzie 72), Kabamba
Subs Not Used: Doyle, McGowan, Haunstrup, Dikamona, Whitehall, Pinnock, Cameron 

Referee: David Munro
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: David Lowe

St Mirren were reduced to 10 men as they fell to a narrow loss away to Dundee United.

Lawrence Shankland and Adrian Sporle had United 2-0 in front before Richard Tait was shown a straight red card on the hour mark. Dylan Connolly netted his first St Mirren goal on 64 minutes but Saints couldn't find an equaliser that would have seen us take a point back to Paisley.

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that was edged out by Celtic on Wednesday night with Kyle McAllister and Jon Obika coming in for Connolly and Junior Morias. 

And it was McAllister who went mightily close to opening the scoring in the opening minutes with the first real opportunity of the match. The winger had United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist at full stretch as his free-kick from 30 yards went inches wide.

The Buddies started brightly with Siegrist having to be alert to get in front of Lee Erwin to punch away a dangerous looking ball from McAllister on the right-hand side.

Erwin, who scored his first goal for Saints on Wednesday night, came close to putting the Buddies ahead on 17 minutes when managed to get himself in ahead of two Dundee United defenders to meet Obika's chested flick-on. But his touch from close-range was easily gathered by Siegrist. 

It was the forward who was involved again in Saints next chance when he sliced wide after being met in space by a Conor McCarthy header on the half-hour mark.

But it was United who took the lead through a stunning strike from Lawrence Shankland. A corner from the left was headed clear by Conor McCarthy but only as far as Shankland who turned and volleyed home.

Both sides would have chances before the interval with Tait having a header well saved by Siegrist while Nicky Clark should have done better as he sent a strike wide from inside the Saints box. 

United started the second-half the stronger of the two sides and could have doubled their lead on 51 minutes when Clark found himself in on goal but smacked his strike off the post.

However, United would find their second a minute later when Adrian Sporle took advantage of poor Saints defending. Ian Harkes initial effort was saved by Zdenek Zlamal with the Czech goalkeeper then making another block to deny Shankland, but the Buddies couldn't clear their lines which allowed United a third bite at it with Sporle finishing from close range.

Saints day looked to have gone from bad to worse when Richard Tait was given his marching orders on the hour mark for a challenge on Logan Chalmers. But just four minutes later the Buddies were given a route back into the match when substitute Dylan Connolly scored his first Saints goal after robbing Mark Reynolds inside the box and slotting beyond Siegrist.

Clearly boosted by the goal Saints had the bulk of the territory and possession in the following minutes. With 15 minutes remaining Ilkay Durmus will feel he could have done better when he met McCarthy's flick-on at the back post. The Turkish winger got his head on it but sent straight into the arms of Siegrist. 

Zlamal would make a good save to deny Sporle a second with less than 10 minutes remaining as the game petered out with the points remaining in Dundee.

Full-Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Zlamal, Fraser, Shaughnessy, McCarthy, Tait, McGrath (Durmus 56), Erhahon (Morias 85), Foley (c), McAllister (Connolly 56), Erwin, Obika (MacPherson 66)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Sheron, Jamieson

Dundee United: Siegrist, Sporle, Reynolds, Clark (Glass 83), Edwards, Chalmers (Pawlett 81), Robson, Butcher, Bolton, Harkes, Shankland
Subs Not Used: Deniz, Powers, McMullan, Smith, Freeman, Appere, Neilson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Craig Napier

Lee Erwin scored his first St Mirren goal, but it wasn't enough to prevent Saints from being edged out against Celtic. 

The forward, who joined Jim Goodwin's side last week, was making his first start for the Buddies as the manager selected the forward to lead the line the evening. 

His selection paid dividends as he netted inside the first three minutes to give us the perfect start. Joe Shaughnessy, returning from suspension, nodded a corner on to the back post where it met the forward who got in ahead of Vasilias Barkas to bundle home. 

But Celtic levelled on 21 minutes when Shane Duffy scored his second goal in as many games. The Irish defender ghosted in ahead of the Saints defence to nod Ryan Christie's free-kick beyond Zdenek Zlamal to equalise.

Callum McGregor and Odsonne Edouard were both denied by Zlamal as Celtic looked to take control. The former's powerful drive from range was well held by the Czech goalkeeper, while the latter saw an effort blocked from point blank range. But the Hoops weren't to kept at bay much longer as James Forrest gave the away side the lead on 36 minutes when he headed a Christie cross home from eight yards. 

Zlamal was called into action early in the second-half as he did well to push away an Edouard free-kick on 49 minutes. 

Saints were still very much in the match and had a decent opportunity on the hour mark after a good counter attack which saw Erwin fire over from the edge of the Celtic area. Seven minutes later it was McGrath who would send a strike over after getting on the end of Morias' headed ball inside the area. 

Celtic could have wrapped up the win with 15 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Christie went down in the box under the challenge of Jamie McGrath. Edouard stepped up and stuttered with Zlamal diving the right way to push away the spot kick. 

Jim Goodwin brought Jon Obika and Ilkay Durmus on as he searched for a late equaliser, but it wasn't to be as Celtic left Paisley with the points. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Celtic 

St Mirren: Zlamal, Fraser, Shaughnessy, McCarthy, Tait, Morias (Obika 80), McGrath, Foley (Durmus 90), Erhahon, Connolly (McAllister 64), Erwin
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, MacPherson, Sheron, Jamieson

Celtic: Barkas, Elhamed, Ajer, Duffy, Taylor, Forrest (Frimpong 80), McGregor, Brown (c), Christie, Klimala (Ajeti 66), Edouard (Ntcham 80)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Jullien, Bitton, Soro, Turnbull, Elyounoussi

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Fourth Official: Craig Napier

A difficult week for Saints came to a forgettable end as they lost to Hibs in Paisley.

With coronavirus meaning Saints' three signed goalies were unavailable, Zdenek 'Bobby' Zlamal was signed on loan from Hearts hours before kick-off. Hibs opened the scoring when deflections off Sam Foley and Kevin Nesbit took the ball under Zlamal and they quickly added a second through Joe Newell.

There was some improvement from Saints after that and they made a decent start to the second half, however any hope of a comeback was wiped out when Zlamal failed to deal with a cross and Martin Boyle headed in at the backpost.

The keeper was one of three changes to the Saints side who had lost in Perth a fortnight ago. There was a first start for recent arrival Kristian Dennis and a rare outing for Ethan Erhahon, making his first start for the senior side in more than a year. Junior Morias and Kyle McAllister were the outfield duo dropping to the bench, where they joined new signing Lee Erwin and 40-year-old goalie coach Jamie Langfield. Former Buddies boss Jack Ross included ex-Saint Paul McGinn in his team with Stevie Mallan and Darren McGregor among the subs.

Hibs lined up with plenty of attacking intent, Boyle causing the early problems. A great tackle from Richard Tait stopped him getting a shot away from a decent position and the next time he got in behind, Zlamal did enough to put him off. The forward was to prove more effective in Hibs' next attack, collecting Christian Doidge's crossfield pass before finding McGinn, who sent a dangerous cross into the middle that hit off Foley then Nisbet before trickling into the net.

Before Saints could respond, they were two down. Once again Boyle was involved as he teed up Newell and he curled past Zlamal from the edge of the box. Saints were aggrieved not to be given a penalty when Ryan Porteous handled inside the box, ref Willie Collum having none of it. As Hibs pushed for a third, Josh Doig fired in a shot that looked to be bending into the bottom corner before it was blocked by a Saints defender.

The Buddies finally had a shot when a corner was only cleared as far as Sheron but he fired over from distance, with Dennis then being crowded out as he tried to shoot. Hibs still looked the more dangerous and when they countered, Nisbet looked to have shot well wide before a deflection almost spun the ball into the opposite corner with Zlamal stranded. Ofir Marciano had been a virtual spectator in the Hibs goal but proved his worth twice just before the break. Ilkay Durmus drew a great save with a fine free-kick and when the ball was crossed played back in, Marcus Fraser nodded it down for Sheron to thump towards goal only for Marciano to palm it away.

Erwin was handed his Buddies debut at the break as he replaced Dennis. Zlamal came out to save from Nisbet after he'd got the better of Foley before Erwin had a chance to reduce the deficit, shooting over from the edge of the box after a great pass from Conor McCarthy. Just as Saints were beginning to pose a few questions of the Hibs defence, the visitors put the game to bed. Newell delivered a cross to the back post and Zlamal missed it, Boyle nodding home.

The forward went close to adding a fourth soon after the restart, Zlamal saving his shot well, before Saints sub Dylan Connolly curled a shot over at the other end. Another sub, Kyle McAllister, had a free-kick deflected over as the Buddies pressed for a consolation, Marciano producing a good save to keep out Cammy MacPherson's powerful effort shortly after he'd replaced Jamie McGrath, the last real chance either side had.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-3 Hibernian

REACTION: Jim Goodwin Post-Hibernian

St Mirren: Zlamal, Fraser, McCarthy, Foley, Tait, McGrath (MacPherson 82), Sheron (McAllister 59), Erhahon, Durmus (Connolly 59), Dennis (Erwin 45), Obika (Morias 87)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Jamieson

Hibernian: Marciano, McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous, Doig, Murphy (Wright 81), Newell (Mallan 87), Gogic, Boyle (Shanley 87), Nisbet (Gullan 77), Doidge
Subs Not Used: Barnes, Gray, Stevenson, Hallberg, McGregor

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Ross MacLeod
Fourth Official: Steven Kirkland

St Mirren head into the international break on the back of a disappointing defeat at McDiarmid Park.

The Buddies could have no arguments about the final result as Stevie May scored the game's only goal on 72 minutes to give St Johnstone a 1-0 win this afternoon.

St Johnstone created a number of chances throughout the 90 minutes with Callum Hendry the first to fashion an opportunity on seven minutes. The forward robbed Saints defender Conor McCarthy and raced clear on goal only to be stopped by a wonderful save from Jak Alnwick. 

Six minutes later, Michael O'Halloran smashed just wide from 20 yards after Junior Morias has been denied a free-kick in the St Johnstone half.

Jim Goodwin's men couldn't get going with Craig Conway slamming over the bar from close range after meeting a cut-back before Scott Tanser passed up a glorious opportunity when he volleyed wide on 34 minutes.

The St Mirren gaffer had seen enough and decided to change shape with Cammy MacPherson coming on to replace Kyle McAllister.  But still St Johnstone would go close again just a few minutes later when Hendry headed over from 10 yards.

The home side would have one more chance before the interval with Alnwick saving well again from Jason Kerr to keep the score at 0-0.

St Mirren were forced into two quick changes with Junior Morias replaced at half-time by Dylan Connolly after picking up a knock, while Marcus Fraser had to come off on 50 minutes with a dead leg.

St Johnstone's pressure told as they opened the scoring on 72 minutes.  Substitute Stevie May, who had only been on the park five minutes, met Conway's low ball in from the left to knock home from close range. 

With 10 minutes to go the Buddies registered their first real chance as substitute Kristian Dennis slammed into the arms of Elliot Parish from the edge of the box. A minute later Jon Obika met a cross but his volley was tame and easy for Parish to gather. 

Alnwick would make a further save to deny St Johnstone a second as he tipped's Danny McNamara's shot over, but one was enough for the points to stay in Perth.

Full-Time: St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (Dennis 50), McCarthy, Tait, McGrath, Sheron (Jamieson 89), Foley (c), Durmus, McAllister (MacPherson 38), Obika, Morias (Connolly 45)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Baird, Erhahon, Henderson, Jack

St Johnstone: Parish, Kerr, Gordon, McCart, McNamara, Tanser, Wotherspoon, McCann, Conway (Kane 90), Hendry (Davidson 83), O'Halloran (May 67)
Subs Not Used: Sinclair, Duffy, Robertson, Booth, Rooney, Olaofe

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Kevin Graham

Saints had to make do with a point after drawing with Ross County in an entertaining game in Paisley.

The Buddies led at the break thanks to Jon Obika's second goal in as many games, the striker showing great composure to tuck the ball away after a good run from Kyle McAllister.

Both keepers pulled off great saves in the second half before the hosts had Joe Shaughnessy sent off for a tackle on Ross Stewart, Michael Gardyne's deflected effort levelling things up soon after. Unsurprisingly, the visitors had plenty of possession after that but couldn't make it count as the sides shared the spoils.

Foley was back in midfield as Conor McCarthy was fit enough to return to defence with Cammy MacPherson dropping to the bench, where he was joined by new signing Kristian Dennis. Former County skipper Marcus Fraser lined up against his old side, with ex Buddie Stewart in attack for the visitors.

The opening quarter of an hour was scrappy with neither side carving out anything of note but the first real show of quality in the game resulted in a goal. McAllister made a fine run across the park and tried to pass to Jamie McGrath, only for Gardyne to stick a foot out to try to intercept it. The ball then broke lose and McAllister poked it forward, via a County player, to Obika, who turned and fired low into the bottom corner.

Things got worse for County when they lost Coll Donaldson to injury after Nathan Sheron's challenge, former Saints' favourite Keith Watson taking his place. Staggies goalie Ross Laidlaw needed two goes to save Junior Morias' shot after he was played in by McAllister moments before Billy Mckay headed wide from a Gardyne cross. With the game beginning to open up, Obika and McGrath combined to create an opening for Sheron but he lashed his shot into the empty stand behind the goal.

There was a scare when Josh Reid's shot took a huge deflection off Fraser and threatened to spin into the Saints goal before going behind. County went even closer from the corner, Harry Paton's delivery being met by Stewart but his header hit the bar. The Buddies almost added a second before the break, Obika nodding the ball through for Morias but Laidlaw blocked his shot.

County replaced Paton and Reid with Carl Tremarco and Regan Charles-Cook at the break and the change almost paid instant dividends as Charles-Cook picked out Stewart with a great cross but his header was superbly cleared off the line by Richard Tait. The fullback showed he could also be effective at the other end, whipping in a low ball that Obika was unable to get enough on to force home. The Buddies had a chance to add a second soon after, McAllister's shot being deflected to Morias but he was once again denied by Laidlaw.

County went back on the offensive, Gardyne trying to curl a shot into the bottom corner only for Jak Alnwick to produce a great save, the ball then bouncing off Charles-Cook and going behind before he had a chance to react. If that was a bit of luck for the hosts, what happened next would have infuriated Buddies fans watching at home. Shaughnessy and Stewart both went for the ball and the Saints defender won it but also caught Stewart with his follow through. As the County striker writhed in pain, play continued before ref Mike Roncone stopped proceedings so Stewart could receive treatment. Tempers flared between the two sides but after they had calmed down, Mr Roncone then decided that not only was it a foul after all, Shaughnessy's tackle was bad enough to merit a red card. It was a bizarre situation, aggrieved Saints boss Jim Goodwin replacing McAllister with MacPherson and dropping Foley into defence as he adjusted his side.

It took the Staggies just five minutes to make their numerical advantage count. Connor Randall headed the ball back into the mix from the byline and Gardyne's shot deflected off both Foley and Sheron before nestling in the bottom corner. The visitors could sense a winner and Saints were sitting deeper and deeper, although they did force a corner from one rare foray forward that was cleared to Foley at the edge of the box but he smashed it well over.

Goalscorer Obika was replaced by newboy Dennis for the closing stages, County sub Stephen Kelly shooting well wide as the visitors pushed for a winner. They almost got it in stoppage time as a cross found Mckay but he could only prod it wide.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Ross County

WATCH JIM GOODWIN'S POST-MATCH REACTION HERE.

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, Sheron, Foley (c), McGrath, McAllister (MacPherson 65), Morias, Obika (Dennis 85)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Urminsky, Baird, Erhahon, Henderson, Jamieson, Jack

Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall (Mullin 82), Donaldson (Watson 24), Iacovitti, Reid (Tremarco 45), Draper, Vigurs (Kelly 71), Stewart, Paton (Charles-Clark 45), Gardyne, McKay
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Watson, Tillson, Spittal, Shaw

Referee: Mike Roncone
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: William Collum