A disappointed Jim Goodwin reflects on a tough 90 minutes as Saints lose 3-0 at home to Motherwell.

Saints got December off to the worst possible start as they were comfortably beaten by Motherwell at the Simple Digital Arena.

Five first half minutes decided the game in Motherwell's favour as James Scott bagged himself a brace. For his first, the young forward danced in from the edge of the box before firing across Vaclav Hladky into the far corner, following that up moments later by coolly lifting the ball over the Saints goalie after Liam Polworth had nicked it from Tony Andreu.

The second half was pretty much a non-event before any hope Saints had of clawing their way back into things disappeared when Allan Campbell tapped the ball home following a good run from Jermaine Hylton.

The first hint that a bad night may have been in store for the Buddies came inside the first 10 minutes when Gary MacKenzie had to go off injured. Paul McGinn replaced him in the heart of the defence with sub Cammy MacPherson coming on at right back. McGinn tried to make an impact at the other end but his overhead kick sailed well over. It was one of few early chances for either side, Ryan Flynn and Andreu seeing efforts blocked before Scott failed to trouble Hladky from distance.

That certainly wasn't the case just before the half hour mark. There appeared to be little danger when Scott picked up the ball at the side of the box but he dribbled his way into a shooting position and slotting a low shot past Hladky into the far corner. It was good work from the youngster but their hadn't appeared to be much resistance to his fancy footwork.

The lead was nearly wiped out a few minutes later, Kyle Magennis seeing his shot from the edge of the box deflected narrowly wide. Instead, the Steelmen doubled the advantage soon after. Polworth won the ball off Andreu in the middle of the park, appeals for a foul falling on deaf ears, and he fed Scott, who finished superbly past Hladky to put daylight between the sides.

The teenager wasn't finished there and almost bagged a quick-fire hat-trick when he got on the end of Liam Grimshaw's cross, his header going inches wide with Hladky beaten. Another shot from the same player was deflected wide with Saints struggling to cope, Liam Donnelly dragging an effort wide when he should at least have hit the target as the half came to a close.

Hladky easily saved Scott's early second half shot before Declan Gallagher headed Polworth's free-kick just wide, although the flag was up for offside. As with the first half, it was a scrappy affair with little of note until Motherwell put the game to bed, Hylton tormenting the home defence before squaring for Campbell to poke home his side's third with a quarter of the game still to go.

Devante Cole saw his effort cleared off the line by Ryan Flynn and Gallagher headed over from a corner as the visitors pushed for a fourth. A rare Buddies chance came when Junior Morias – who had replaced Jon Obika – worked himself some space before having a shot that went out for a throw in. Andreu was at least a bit closer when he had a go from the edge of the D but still failed to find the target.

Despite those chances, Motherwell still looked the more likely to score and sub Sherwin Seedorf was allowed to drive forward before lashing a shot over. Scott had a later chance to grab his hat-trick, once again cutting in from the touchline before firing wide. It took until the final minute for the Buddies to register a shot on target, Mark Gillespie easily saving from Kyle McAllister. He was in action again in stoppage time, doing well to turn away Andreu's shot after Morias had been unlucky to see his header come back off the post. It would be wrong to say that summed up Saints' night as, for once, they could have no complaints about being on the wrong end of the scoreline.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-3 Motherwell

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, MacKenzie (MacPherson 9), McLoughlin, Waters, S.McGinn (c), Flynn, Magennis (McAllister 75), Andreu, Mullen, Obika (Morias 63)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Henderson, Durmus, Cooke

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Mugabi, Gallagher (c), Carroll, Donnelly, Polworth, Campbell (O'Hara 70), Hylton (Seedorf 75), Scott, Cole (Manzinga 83)
Subs Not Used: Carson, Maguire, Tait, Long

Referee: Andrew Dallas
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: William Collum

Attendance: 4,240

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren's search for a first away point of the season continues after the Buddies fell to a 2-1 loss at Pittodrie this afternoon.

Jon Obika's third goal for Saints got Jim Goodwin's side level after Sam Cosgrove had given the home side an early lead. Niall McGinn put the hosts in front for a second time 10 minutes into the second-half, but the Buddies spurned a glorious chance to grab a share of the spoils when Tony Andreu missed a penalty with just six minutes remaining. 

Saints, without a win at Pittodrie in eight years, could have found themselves one up with less than a minute on the clock. Obika held the ball up and knocked forward to the returning Andreu whose neat touch allowed Sam Foley to run on to the ball deep in the Aberdeen half. The Englishman fed the ball over the Dons defence to find Andreu inside the box with the Frenchman's effort pushed away by Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

But despite the bright start Saints found themselves behind on six minutes. A weak header from Sean McLoughlin fell invitingly for Sam Cosgrove who, with time and space, made no mistake from 15 yards as he slammed high into the net to put Aberdeen 1-0 ahead. 

The Saints reaction was good with Kyle Magennis forcing Joe Lewis into a save at his near post on 13 minutes, but the home side had a couple of chances in quick succession with Cosgrove slicing wide after running on to meet a Greg Leigh knock down, while Lewis Ferguson should have doubled the Dons advantage when he met a pinpoint Zak Vyner cross but somehow nodded wide from just a few yards out. 

And just moments after that miss from Ferguson, Saints found themselves level. Ryan Flynn did brilliantly to charge into the box from the right hand side. He played a low ball across the face of goal where it met Obika who touched home from close range. 

The 352 travelling fans were in fine voice following the goal and Saints were on top for the rest of the first-half. Another low ball into the box from Flynn's knocked wide by Leigh for a corner on 31 minutes. It was the midfielder who took the corner with MacKenzie rises highest to nod just over the bar.  

Calum Waters put in a brilliant ball into the box a few moments later when Saints were awarded a free-kick after Sam Foley was fouled. McLoughlin got his head on it but sent wide. 

Saints were having their best spell of the match so far but the Dons showed how dangerous they could be with Waters having to be switched on to clear a Cosgrove header off the line. 

Aberdeen started the opening stages of second-half the stronger of the two sides and took the lead for a second time on 56 minutes. From a Saints point it was a frustrating goal to concede with an unmarked Niall McGinn having all the time in the world to slam home to put Aberdeen 2-1 in front.

The St Mirren reaction was good though and the Buddies could have levelled just two minutes after the Dons second goal. Obika headed Foley's ball in across the face of goal where Magennis just couldn't get a toe on it at the far post. 

Andreu should have levelled for Saints with 15 minutes remaining. The Frenchman was met in space inside the box by Foley but didn't catch it properly as it clipped over. 

Andreu again spurned a brilliant chance to equalise for Saints when he missed from the penalty spot on 84 minutes. Obika had gotten on to a ball into the box and as he tried to round Joe Lewis to tap home into an empty net he was pulled back by the English goalkeeper. Despite appearing to make no genuine attempt to win the ball Lewis was only booked and guessed correctly to push away Andreu's spot-kick before saving the Frenchman's follow-up effort. 

Full-Time: Aberdeen 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, MacKenzie, McLoughlin, Waters, Flynn, S.McGinn (c), Foley (McAllister 75), Andreu (Morias 86), Magennis (Durmus 63), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, Mullen, Cooke

Aberdeen: Lewis, Vyner, Considine, McKenna, Leigh, Ferguson, Campbell (Logan 71), Gallagher, N.McGinn (Main 86), Hedges (McLennan 76), Cosgrove
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Devlin, Wilson, Anderson

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: David Munro

Attendance: 12,829 (352 St Mirren fans)

Junior Morias' first St Mirren goal wasn't enough to prevent the Buddies falling to a frustrating defeat at home to Hibernian. 

Saints created numerous chances throughout the 90 minutes but it was goals either side of half-time from Christian Doidge and substitute Stevie Mallan that gave the visitors a narrow 2-1 win.

The Buddies started on the front foot with Ilkay Durmus had the first half-chances - sending well wide from distance on four minutes before slipping on the edge of the box a few minutes later and seeing his resultant effort trickle wide. 

Saints had the best chance of the match on 24 minutes when a brilliant ball in from Calum Waters on the left-hand side met Kyle Magennis in the box. The midfielder rose the highest but headed over from six yards. 

Two minutes later it was Durmus' turn to send a pinpoint cross in from the same position as Waters. The Turkish winger's ball found Ryan Flynn at the back post. Flynn's effort was blocked with Sean McLoughlin screwing a header wide from the resultant corner.

And despite Saints' chances it was Hibernian who took the lead just two minutes later. Christian Doidge kept his good run of goalscoring form for the visitors when he headed the opener from ex-Saint Jason Naismith's cross. It appeared to take a slight deflection off the head of Gary MacKenzie as it looped over Vaclav Hladky. 

Jon Obika should have gone one-on-one with Maxwell five minutes after Hibernian's opener when the ball fell kindly into his path, but the big striker got the ball caught up in his feet and could only win a corner. Saints continued to force a lot of pressure before the end of the half - winning a number of corners but failing to create any danger from them. 

The Buddies started the second-half strongly and had a penalty appeal turned down on 55 minutes when Sam Foley went down in the box. Referee Alan Newlands was unmoved. 

With around 25 minutes of the game remaining Jim Goodwin made his first change with Danny Mullen coming on in place of Durmus. The substitute was presented with a great chance to equalise just a few minutes after taking to the field when the ball fell to him in space inside the box but he blasted over from a tight angle. 

Three minutes later the striker went agonisingly close to bringing Saints level. A strong tackle from MacKenzie deep in the St Mirren half sent the Buddies scurrying forward on the counter. Mullen picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and curled low towards the far post. It looked like it was heading in all day long but cracked off the post before the offside flag denied Obika on the follow up. 

There were just under 10 minutes to go when Hibernian were awarded a penalty after MacKenzie fouled Martin Boyle inside the Saints box. There was no debating the referee's decision and former Buddie Stevie Mallan stepped up to double the visitors lead.

Saints kept at Hibernian as they searched for a way back into the match. Sam Foley, man of the match on the evening, went so close to added to his goal on Saturday after a terrific solo run which saw him curl just wide of Maxwell's far post. 

The Buddies would get a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time. Neat footwork from Mullen saw the striker get a shot away on the edge of the area. Maxwell was equal to it but it fell for substitute Junior Morias who slammed home to score his first St Mirren goal. Unfortunately for Saints it was too little too late as Hibernian took the points back to Edinburgh.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Hibernian

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, MacKenzie, McLoughlin, Waters, Flynn (McAllister 78), S.McGinn, Foley, Magennis, Durmus (Mullen 66), Obika (Morias 78)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, Djorkaeff, Cooke

Hibernian: Maxwell, Naismith, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson, Hallberg, Slivka, Allan (Mallan 72), Newell (Horgan 57), Doidge, Kamberi (Boyle 52)
Subs Not Used: Marciano, James, Jackson, Shaw

Referee: Alan Newlands
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Fourth Official: John McKendrick 

Attendance: 5,377

A stunning late goal saw Saints end their losing run and take a valuable three points against Ross County.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half, Brian Graham finding the net with a fine strike from the edge of the box. There was little sign of Saints drawing themselves level before the break but an unlikely source provided the equaliser, Sean McLoughlin bagging his first Buddies goal after a bit of chaos in the penalty box.

It looked as if they game would end in a draw before some late drama at both ends. First, County's Lee Erwin saw a header cleared off the line by McLoughlin, then Sam Foley bagged a fantastic winner, thumping home his first goal in the stripes after great work by Tony Andreu.

The Frenchman found himself on the bench as Saints boss Jim Goodwin shuffled his pack, Stephen McGinn also among the subs with Ryan Flynn and Ilkay Durmus starting. There was also a change at the back as Gary MacKenzie took over from the injured Kirk Broadfoot, with fit again pair Kyle McAllister and Cody Cooke on the bench. Former Buddies Sean Kelly and Ross Stewart started for the Staggies.

Durmus volleyed wide early on when County could only clear a free-kick as far as the edge of the box and Saints continued to force set-pieces but looked fragile on the break, Josh Mullin curling a shot into the arms of Vaclav Hladky. The next Buddies corner provided a chance at the right end as again County didn't properly clear their lines, Kyle Magennis' dipping shot going narrowly over the bar.

Staggies goalie Nathan Baxter had had a quiet opening quarter but should have been tested by Jon Obika after Foley released him on the right. He got the better of Liam Fontaine to force an opening only to blaze his effort over the bar. It was to prove a costly miss as a few minutes later the visitors took the lead, Graham exchanging passes with Billy McKay before working himself some space at the edge of the area and poking a shot beyond Hladky.

Flynn drilled a low shot straight at Baxter as Saints looked for an equaliser but they nearly fell further behind when McKay got in behind the home defence, Hladky getting his fingertips to his shot. It looked as if the visitors would hold their lead at the break before the Buddies finally made one of their numerous corners count. The initial delivery was cleared and when it was played back in there was a bit of a scramble with bodies everywhere, Flynn clearly being fouled as he tried to force the ball home. It looked like ref Euan Anderson was going to award a penalty but the ball trundled to McLoughlin and he stabbed it past Baxter to level things up.

The turnaround should have been completed early in the second half when Obika got the better of his man but the shot meekly at Baxter. He then teed up Durmus, whose shot deflected off Morris and didn't fly far wide with the visiting goalie stranded, before Mullen smashed a chance over the bar when passing to Flynn in the middle would perhaps have been the better option. That was the striker's last involvement as he was replaced by Andreu before play resumed.

The Saints fans were screaming for Callum Morris to be sent off when he brought down Obika near the half way line with no one else between the striker and goalie Baxter, however ref Mr Anderson felt a yellow card was sufficient punishment.

The County defence were struggling to deal with the bustling frontman, Fontaine the next to be booked for hauling Obika down as he burst through on goal. The Buddies were on top and when Obika knocked the ball to Flynn at a corner, he danced past a couple of challenges before squaring for Durmus who completely missed the ball as he tried to thump it into the net.

County had barely looked like scoring since the break but they suddenly stepped things up in the last 10 minutes and thought they'd snatched a winner. Blair Spittal picked out fellow sub Lee Erwin at the back post and he headed the ball back across goal past Hladky, only for McLoughlin to hack it away just before it crossed the line.

Had it gone in, it would have been cruel on Saints as they had been far the better side in the second half and deserved the winner that a couple of minutes from the end.

McAllister flicked the ball on to Andreu to burst forward and as things opened up in front of him he laid it off to Foley at the edge of the box who gave Baxter no chance as he thumped a shot into the roof of the net.

There could be few complaints about Saints going in front and they comfortably saw out four minutes of stoppage time to move off the bottom of the Premiership.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Ross County

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, McLoughlin, MacKenzie, Waters, Magennis (McAllister 75), Flynn, Foley, Durmus (S.McGinn 90), Mullen (Andreu 58), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, Cooke, Morias

Ross County: Baxter, Fraser (c), Kelly, Fontaine, Morris, Henderson, Spence (Chalmers 71), Mullin, McKay, Graham (Erwin 78), Stewart (Spittal 58)
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Watson, Foster, Paton

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Fourth Official: William Collum

Attendance: 4,708

It was a day to forget in the capital as Saints fell to a 5-2 defeat against Hearts at Tynecastle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Buddies twice came from behind in the first-half to level but still went into the break 3-2 down. And a disappointing day was compounded by second half goals from Jamie Walker and Jake Mulraney gave the Edinburgh side an emphatic win. 

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Celtic Park the previous midweek. Tony Andreu and Danny Mullen came in for Ryan Flynn and Ilkay Durmus who dropped to the bench.

Saints came into the match bottom of the table but level on points with Hearts and could have moved up to eighth place with a win depending on results elsewhere.

But it was the hosts who seized the initiative, taking the lead with just six minutes on the clock. The Jambos won a corner after a good break from Uche Ikpeazu. Andy Irving swung the low ball in to Steven Naismith who peeled away from the Saints defence and clipped into the back of the net at the front post. 

It was the exactly the sort of start the Buddies wanted to avoid, but despite a half-chance from Ikpeazu a few minutes later the Saints response was decent. Good pressure on the Hearts defence by Jon Obika won the away side a corner on 16 minutes. Danny Mullen went down inside the box after the ball was swung in but referee Euan Anderson was unmoved. 

Five minutes later Saints were level. Stephen McGinn forced Hearts goalkeeper Joel Pereira to push away a drive from the edge of the area. The Jambos couldn't clear their lines allowing the ball to come back into the box with Sam Foley swinging the ball into the box on to the head of Andreu who nodded down perfectly into the direction of an unmarked Obika. The striker finished with aplomb to make it 1-1 and get his second goal in St Mirren colours.

However, less than 10 minutes later Hearts were in-front for a second time. A throw-in from the left found Ikpeazu at a tight angle. Vaclav Hladky came out to close the angle but the striker still got a shot away that unfortunately came off the face of defender Sean McLoughlin and landing in the back of the net.

It was setback for Saints who had settled into the game, but they responded in perfect fashion - levelling just three minutes later. The Hearts defence switched off as Hladky launched the ball forward allowing Mullen the chance to race clear on goal. The striker made no mistake as he kept his composure to slot beyond Pereira to get the Buddies level for a second time. 

With just two minutes to go until half-time Hearts went 3-2 ahead. The Saints defence didn't deal with Michael Smith's cross allowing Ollie Bozanic to head home from close range. 

Sam Foley went close to getting Saints level for a third time a minute later when he rose highest to meet an Andreu free-kick from the left but nodded just wide.

Coming out after the break it was imperative that Saints got the next goal if they wanted to get anything from the match. But the second half got off to the worst possible start as Jamie Walker headed home within the first minute of the restart to put Hearts 4-2 ahead.

That goal looked to effectively seal the match for the hime side. Not long after the hour mark Andreu smashed a free-kick well over the bar from 30 yards, while a few minutes later the Frenchman also flashed a half-volley over from the edge of the area. 

There were 13 minutes remaining when Jake Mulraney put the seal on a good day for the home side with an excellent finish from 20 yards. The substitute played a neat one-two with Naismith on the left touchline, drifted inside and curled high into the right corner of the net to make it 5-2.

Sean McLoughlin almost grabbed a consolation with less than 10 minutes remaining after a powerful effort from 35 yards that Pereira did brilliantly to tip over the bar, while Hladky made a good stop to push Mulraney's attempt wide to deny Hearts a sixth a few minutes later. 

Up next is Ross County at home following the international break and with three of the next four matches at the Simple Digital Arena Jim Goodwin's men will be desperate to put today's result behind them and try to lift themselves from the foot of the table. 

Full-Time: Hearts 5-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Broadfoot (MacKenzie 68), McLoughlin, Waters, S.McGinn (Durmus 58), Foley, Magennis, Andreu (Morias 78), Mullen, Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacPherson, Flynn, Djorkaeff

Hearts: Pereira, Smith, White (Mulraney 50), Berra, Dikamona, Hickey, Bozanic, Irving, Walker (Damour 62), Naismith, Ikpeazu (Meshino 80)
Subs Not Used: Zlamal, Whelan, Maclean, Brandon

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Fourth Official: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 16,165 (766 St Mirren supporters)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Two early second half goals saw St Mirren fall to a 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park. 

After a strong first-half performance from the Buddies, goals from Mohammed Elyounoussi and James Forrest gave league leaders Celtic the three points and saw Saints fall to the bottom of the table on goal difference. 

As was to be expected, Celtic started off brightly with Callum McGregor forcing Vaclav Hladky into a save inside the first two minutes before flashing a low drive wide a few minutes later. 

With 15 minutes on the clock, Saints made their first real foray forward after a quick counter. Ilkay Durmus switched the ball from left to right finding Kyle Magennis who rolled the ball onto the overlapping Paul McGinn. The right-back aimed to put a low ball into the Celtic box but it was cleared. 

Ryan Christie went close for the hosts a minute later with a powerful effort from 25 yards that skimmed the top of the bar as it flew over. 

Saints were well in the match with Durmus firing well over from distance before Jon Obika forced a save from Fraser Forster after being found by a tremendous defence splitting ball down the middle from defender Sean McLoughlin. The striker was closely marshalled by Celtic defender Kris Ajer, but still managed to get a low shot in at goal with the Celtic goalkeeper down well to save. 

Christopher Jullien should have given Celtic the lead on 25 minutes when he glided into the six yard box to meet a Christie corner but somehow managed to head over. 

Both sides would come close before the end of the first-half. Durmus almost caught Forster out with a long-range free-kick. Everyone had expected the Turkish winger to send the ball from the right into the middle, but instead he went for goal with Forster pushing off the bar before gathering at the second attempt. 

Ryan Flynn and Hladky made two vital interventions to stop Celtic taking a lead into the interval. First, on 37 minutes, Flynn was in the right place at the right time to clear Jullien's header off the line, while Hladky made an important block to push James Forrest's effort off the post with just a minute of the half remaining. 

Despite a solid first-half showing, Saints frustratingly fell behind just a few minutes after the restart. Odsonne Edouard cracked the post from the edge of the box. The ball fell to McGregor whose shot came off Calum Waters and was tucked home by Elyounoussi from six yards. 

Celtic doubled their lead five minutes later. Christie laid the ball off to Forrest inside the area with the winger cutting in from the right and firing into the bottom corner with his left foot.

That was enough to seal victory for Celtic with results elsewhere moving St Mirren to the bottom of the league.

Full-Time: Celtic 2-0 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Broadfoot, McLoughlin, Waters, S.McGinn (c), Flynn (Andreu 63), Foley, Magennis (Mullen 74), Durmus (Morias 83), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacKenzie, MacPherson, Djorkaeff

Celtic: Forster, Bauer, Jullien, Ajer, Taylor (Hayes 88), Brown (Ntcham 69), McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Elyounoussi, Edouard (Morgan 82)
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Bitton, Elhamed, Rogic

Referee: Kevin Glancy
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands

Attendance: 56,127

A late Gary Dicker header consigned St Mirren to a 1-0 loss at Rugby Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership this afternoon. 

The Buddies created a number of chances and arguably deserved to take at least a point from the match, but left Ayrshire with nothing to show for their efforts.

Jim Goodwin was forced into one change from the side that defeated St Johnstone last week. Cammy MacPherson came in in place of Calum Waters who was ineligible to play against his parent side due to the terms of his loan agreement.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with neither side creating anything clear cut in the first 20 minutes. Eamonn Brophy had an effort smothered by Vaclav Hladky, while Kyle Magennis had a shot from 20 yards was blocked and Sam Foley sent an attempt over from the edge of the area.

Kilmarnock were forced into a change on 25 minutes with Alex Bruce coming on to replace Stuart Findlay who had to be stretchered off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Seven minutes after coming on Bruce was lucky not to be penalised for a pull on Danny Mullen inside the Kilmarnock box. Saints were left frustrated at the decision not to award a penalty but Mullen did manage to get a shot on goal after wriggling clear of the defender but it was palmed away by goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu. 

Tony Andreu almost gave Saints the lead on 38 minutes. The Frenchman picked the ball up, drove in from the left and flashed a powerful drive just inches wide of Branescu's right-hand post.

The Buddies could have taken a lead into the interval but for a last-gasp block from Niko Hamalainen and Bruce to halt Jon Obika as the forward broke into the Kilmarnock box just before Willie Collum called time on the first-half.

Kilmarnock started the second-half brightly with Hamalainen firing a long-range effort into the arms of Vaclav Hladky less than two minutes after the restart.

But Saints were still creating opportunities with Obika flashing wide from the edge of the area before Branescu made a wonderful diving save to claw away a Mullen header. Kirk Broadfoot's long-ball into the box came off the head of Stephen O'Donnell and met Mullen who was denied by the Romanian goalkeeper at full-stretch. Mullen was up again less than two minutes later to meet a Paul McGinn cross but this one was easier for the Kilmarnock goalkeeper.

Andreu should have put Saints in front on 72 minutes when he got on the end of a terrific through ball from Obika but the Frenchman knocked wide from 15 yards out. Andreu, unfortunately, injured himself in the process and had to be replaced by Junior Morias.

With 12 minutes remaining the home side took the lead. Killie skipper Gary Dicker peeled away from Foley inside the box to meet a corner kick and bulleted home a header that proved to be the winner. 

Substitute Chris Burke should have doubled the home side's lead with just three minutes remaining but missed from just a few yards out. In the end, Dicker's header proved enough to seal Kilmarnock the points. 

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, Broadfoot, McLoughlin, P.McGinn, S.McGinn (c), Foley, Magennis (Durmus 85), Andreu (Morias 73), Mullen, Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Erhahon, Flynn, Henderson, Djorkaeff

Kilmarnock: Branescu, O'Donnell, Del Fabro (Thomas 81), Findlay (Bruce 25), Hamalainen, Power, Dicker (c), El Makrini, Millar (Burke 68), Brophy
Subs Not Used: Koprivec, Hendrie, Jackson, St Clair

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 6,389 (1,038 St Mirren fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren ended the long wait for a goal and the even longer wait for a victory with a win against St Johnstone at the Simple Digital Arena.

The Buddies produced two goals of real quality to end the drought that stretched more than three games. The first was just before the break when Jon Obika opened his St Mirren account with a cracking overhead kick.

That was a fine individual goal, the second was a tremendous sweeping move. Kirk Broadfoot played the ball out wide to Paul McGinn and the fullback whipped in a great cross that was thumped into the top corner by Danny Mullen. There was still half an hour to go but after that setback the Saintees rarely looked like producing a comeback.

Paul wasn't the only McGinn in the home line-up as brother and skipper Stephen made his first appearance since the Betfred Cup group game against East Kilbride three months ago. He replaced Ryan Flynn, who missed out with an Achilles' injury, with Tony Andreu coming in for Ilkay Durmus. Stevie May led the St Johnstone attack with Matty Kennedy and Drey Wright offering support.

The opening stages weren't great despite Murray Davidson firing an early rasping shot wide. A rare piece of neat passing play allowed Anthony Ralston to get a shot in with Stephen McGinn in the right place to clear it. Jason Holt then looped a shot onto the roof of the net before there was a minute's applause to pay tribute to Buddies fan Steven Ingram, who recently passed away. Soon after that ended the visitors almost took the lead, Danny Swanson seeing his initial shot blocked by Broadfoot but the ball fell kindly for Kennedy, who should have done better than shoot wide.

The home Saints had posed little attacking threat but had a penalty shout turned down when Mullen was kicked in the head by a flying boot. It seemed to spur the home side on, goalie Zander Clark having to be alert to tip away Kyle Magennis' corner, before the goal drought finally came to an end. With the Saintees defence rather hesitant to mop up after a free-kick, Broadfoot headed the back back across goal for Obika to thunder a spectacular overhead kick past Clark that was in the net before he'd even seen it. Not a bad way to bag your first goal in the stripes! The visitors tried to respond before the interval, Vaclav Hladky doing well to parry Ralston's shot.

Andreu was denied by Clark just after the break as the Buddies looked to double their advantage before Mullen went agonisingly close to doing just that. Obika's tremendous flick-on found his strike partner and he lifted the ball past the hesitant Clark but was relieved to see it hit the far post and bounced to safety.

St Johnstone had done little after the break but had a decent penalty shout turned down when Kennedy went down at the end of a mazy dribble. It was a rare foray forward and the home Saints made their pressure pay soon after in fantastic style.

It soon got even harder as St Mirren bagged a tremendous second. Broadfoot fed the ball out wide to Paul McGinn and he delivered a delicious first time cross that was emphatically tucked away by Mullen for his first goal of the season.

It was the striker's last involvement as his afternoon was then cut short by injury, Junior Morias replacing him. May failed to trouble Hladky with a couple of efforts as the Perth Saints tried to reduce the deficit before Morias went close to adding a third, leaving two defenders on their backsides before shooting straight at Clark. Another chance came when Obika slipped Foley in behind the visiting defence but he tried to square to Andreu rather than go himself and played the ball behind his team-mate. It didn't prove costly, Kennedy shooting over from miles out in stoppage time pretty much summing up how the second half had gone for the visitors.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 St Johnstone

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Broadfoot, McLoughlin, Waters, S.McGinn (c), Magennis, Foley, Andreu (Durmus 84), Obika, Mullen (Morias 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, MacKenzie, MacPherson, Breadner, Djorkaeff

St Johnstone: Clark, Ralston, Kerr (c), Duffy, Tanser, Holt (McCann 76), Davidson, Kennedy, Swanson (Hendry 59), Wright (O'Halloran 59), May
Subs Not Used: Parish, Vihmann, Booth, McCann, Wotherspoon

#SMFCMOM - Jon Obika

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 4,791 (499 away fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss away to Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon.

It's the first time Jim Goodwin's side have lost by two goals since a 2-0 loss at home to Celtic in April as goals from James Scott and Christopher Long either side of half-time gave Motherwell the three points.

The manager made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Hearts last week with Jon Obika and Danny Mullen coming in for Junior Morias and Tony Andreu. 

It was one of the changes, Obika, who had the first opportunity of the game with seven minutes played. Ilkay Durmus played a teasing low ball into the box but Declan Gallagher did a good job staying tight to Obika who could only get a slight flick of his boot on to the ball that trickled wide.

Saints goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was forced into them action twice in the space of two minutes making good stops to deny Liam Polworth and Sherwin Seedorf. The Czech keeper was down well to push away Polworth's low drive from 20 yards, before making himself big to block Seedorf whose good skill on the right cleared a path to get his shot away.

Danny Mullen did well to get on the end of an Obika flick-on on 18 minutes that saw the striker break into the box. But before he could steady himself to get a shot away, Peter Hartley got a foot on the ball to sweep it wide for a Saints corner. Motherwell dealt with the corner and raced forward on the counter. Polworth was sent charging through the middle but the Buddies got numbers back quickly which saw the midfielder take the shot early from distance, dragging wide.

Saints began to grow into the match after a good start from the home side. Obika picked up the ball on the right but his attempt to find Ryan Flynn was too short. But the ball would fall kindly to Sam Foley whose fizzing effort was deflected just over. 'Well goalkeeper Mark Gillespie collected the resultant corner and again sent Motherwell bursting forward at speed. The ball eventually found its way to the lively Polworth inside the box but Hladky again was there to deny the hosts.

Once again Hladky kept the visitors at bay as he made another terrific stop after Devante Cole wriggled through the Saints defence on 36 minutes. The striker broke into the box, but Hladky was quickly off his line to tighten the angle and blocked well with his feet.

But that was only delaying the inevitable as Motherwell took the lead with six minutes of the first half remaining. Scott danced by Durmus and Sean McLoughlin on the edge of the Saints box before checking back and curling into the top corner from 18 yards to give the home side a half-time lead.

After a disappointing first 45, Saints started the second-half brightly with Mullen forcing Gillespie to tip over with a rasping strike on 47 minutes after collecting a lovely through ball from Flynn. The Buddies came close to an equaliser from the resultant corner when it found its way to Sean McLoughlin at the back post. The Irishman's low effort ricocheted into the feet of Paul McGinn whose touch was cleared off the line by 'Well.

Hladky did well to block a deflected Seedorf a minute later, while Mullen felt he had been denied a penalty when he went down in the box on 51 minutes. A minute later, Foley drove forward with a brilliant run from the half-way line but shot straight at Gillespie from 20 yards. 

With 20 minutes to go, Hladky made another brilliant save as he, at full-stretch, clawed away Polworth's curling shot from 20 yards out as Motherwell looked to add a second.

Saints were still in the game and almost found an equaliser on 72 minutes. Paul McGinn slipped the ball through to Tony Andreu who clipped the ball into the middle of the box from the byline. Kyle Magennis brought the ball down before flicking goalward. It looked set to find the net only for Liam Grimshaw, on the line, to head wide to deny Saints a precious equaliser.

With less than 10 minutes remaining the Buddies had two opportunities in quick succession. Junior Morias had a low shot pushed away by Gillespie. Motherwell couldn't clear their lines allowing Calum Waters finding Ryan Flynn in space on the edge of the area, but the midfielder side-footed over. 

Jim Goodwin made a third and final change with less than five minutes to go with Oan Djorkaeff replacing Ryan Flynn. The Frenchman had a chance to make an instant impact for Saints but he fresh air swiped at Morias' low cross. 

And, unfortunately, Djorkaeff's misplaced pass allowed Chris Long the opportunity to make it 2-0 to Motherwell. The Steelman striker needed no second invitation to slam home from close range to secure the points for the Lanarkshire side.

Full-Time: Motherwell 2-0 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, McLoughlin, Broadfoot, Waters, Magennis (c), Flynn (Djorkaeff 85), Foley, Durmus (Andreu 62), Obika, Mullen (Morias 73)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, S.McGinn, MacKenzie, MacPherson

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait, Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Campbell, Seedorf (Long 69), Maguire, Polworth, Scott (Hylton 56), Cole (Ilic 79)
Subs Not Used: Carson, Mugabi, Semple, O'Hara

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Colin Steven

Attendance: 5,101 (896 St Mirren supporters)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography