St Mirren were edged out by Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena who continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Goals from Alan Lithgow and Lyndon Dykes either side of half-time had Livingston in control. Kyle Magennis scored a wonderful second half goal as the Buddies battled hard to take something from the match, but it wasn't enough 

The first-half was a largely forgettable affair with a Tony Andreu volley from the edge of the area that was routine for Livingston goalkeeper Ross Stewart all that either side had to show in the opening 20 minutes. 

It was on 26 minutes that Livingston would break the deadlock when Lithgow rose unchallenged above the Saints defence head the home side in-front from a corner. 

Jon Guthrie sent a shot wide on 38 minutes, while the home crowd thought Aymen Souda had grabbed a second with half-time approaching, but the striker's effort came crashing off the side netting. 

While it was a disappointing first-half, Saints came out all guns blazing at the start of the second 45 and almost found themselves level seconds after the restart when Kyle McAllister's clipped ball into the box found the head of Jon Obika who nodded just over the bar.

A minute later Calum Waters did so well on a solo run into the box, cutting by a number of Livingston players. The full-back's attempt was blocked but fell for Andreu who was denied by a good save from Stewart.

Saints were left frustrated when two handball shouts inside the Livingston box were denied around 55 minutes and that frustration grew when the home side caught the Buddies on the break to score a second. The goal was contentious with Saints players believes Souda had handballed inside the St Mirren box in the build-up to the goal that saw Chris Erskine cutback to Dykes who knocked home from close range.

Looking for a quick-fire third, Steven Lawless tried to catch Vaclav Hladky off his line from distance but Czech goalkeeper managed to gather. 

The St Mirren reaction was good though and just six minutes after Livi's second, Saints found a route back into the match when Kyle Magennis scored his first of the season. It was a terrific effort from the captain who curled into the top corner from the edge of the box to half the deficit. 

Both sides had a chance inside minute as the game entered the final 15 minutes. Livingston almost made it three when Lawless crashed a shot over, while Obika nodded a McGinn cross over from close range. 

McGinn had Saints next opportunity on 78 minutes when he got on the end of a wonderful pass from Kyle McAllister but his powerful shot down the throat of Stewart was gathered. 

Livingston could have added a third with just two minutes remaining when substitute Jack Stobbs had a shot blocked on the line by McGinn before sending the follow-up off the bar. 

However, it would prove that two would be enough for Livingston to pick up their second league win of the season and continue their unbeaten start to the 2019/20 season.

Full-Time: Livingston 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, MacKenzie, McLoughlin, Waters, Flynn (Durmus 80), Foley, McAllister (Mullen 87), Andreu (Morias 68), Magennis, Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Baird, MacPherson, Djorkaeff

Livingston: Stewart, Devlin, Lithgow, McMillan (Savane 65), Guthrie, Bartley, Erskine (Tiffoney 74), Souda (Stobbs 80), Lawless, Crawford, Dykes
Subs Not Used: Sarkic, Pepe, Henderson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Jordan Stokoe
Fourth Official: John McKendrick

Attendance: 2,346

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren suffered a narrow loss at home to Rangers on Sunday after a second-half free-kick from Borna Barisic gave the visitors a win over a well drilled Saints side.

The Buddies made life difficult for the Ibrox side and it took a moment of magic from Croatian defender Barisic to separate the side. 

Jim Goodwin stuck with the same starting 11 that defeated Aberdeen two weeks previously. Ilkay Durmus' early strike against the Dons was all that separated the two sides that afternoon, but it was Rangers who could have struck early during Sunday's contest. Experienced forward Jermain Defoe beat the offside trap to find himself one-on-one with Vaclav Hladky but somehow stuck it wide from just a few yards out. 

That early scare aside Saints started fairly well. Tony Andreu may have feel he could have done better on 10 minutes when he nipped in ahead of a Rangers midfielder to open up a bit of space but took the shot early and fired well over. Durmus 

The closest either side came in the opening half hour was on 29 minutes when Jon Obika's cross-cum-shot had Allan McGregor beaten all ends up but cracked off the bar.  Two minutes after that chance, Ryan Jack's strike from the edge of the area for the visitors was deflected just by the post. A few minutes later, Hladky made a terrific instinctual save to deny Scott Arfield the opener. 

Obika was adamant he should have had a penalty on 42 minutes when he went to ground under the challenge of Rangers defender Filip Helander. The striker looked to have outmuscled the Swedish defender who then hauled down Obika after clipping his own feet, but referee Kevin Clancy deemed that the forward had brought Helander down and awarded Rangers a free-kick.

The visitors started the second half strongly with Joe Aribo nodded just by the post inside the first minute from a James Tavernier corner before Hladky did well to deny Glen Kamara from a tight angle after the midfielder had been slipped in by Defoe. Hladky made another good stop to turn a Jack attempt round the post on 55 minutes.

Rangers pressure would pay off just before the hour mark as Barisic gave them the lead with a free-kick from 25 yards after Calum Waters fouled Defoe. It was a bit of a contentious decision with Saints believing Sam Foley had been fouled in the build up. Nonetheless, Rangers were awarded the set-piece and there was nothing Hladky could do to stop Croatian international Barisic's effort which was curled into the top right corner. 

The game seemed to peter out in the final 30 minutes, but Saints did have chances with just five minutes remaining to haul themselves level. Paul McGinn headed over from a corner on 86 minutes, while debutant Junior Morias could have made it a dream first appearance for the Buddies when he was picked out inside the box by Kyle McAllister, only for the striker to flick into the arms of Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor from close range.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, McLoughlin, MacKenzie, Waters, Flynn, Foley, Magennis, Andreu (Mullen 84), Durmus (McAllister 45), Obika (Morias 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Baird, MacPherson, Djorkaeff

Aberdeen: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Jack, Kamara, Aribo, Arfield (King 84), Jones (Davis 67), Defoe (Morelos 75)
Subs Not Used: Foderingham, Edmundson, Halliday, Hastie

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands

Attendance: 7,232

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren earned their first league win of the season and the Jim Goodwin era thanks to Ilkay Durmus’ first-half goal.

Durmus goal was no more than the Saints deserved as they outplayed Aberdeen in the first half and frustrated Derek McInnes’ side in the second for a well earned three points.

It may not have been the most ideal conditions for passing football with heavy rain falling in the hours leading up to kick off. But Saints were displaying some nice stuff as they looked to exploit the flanks and Jon Obika was a constant menace for the Aberdeen defence.

The Buddies were awarded for their neat play in the first half when Durmus opened the scoring after 14 minutes.

Kyle Magennis made a fantastic run down the wing and gave himself plenty of space to drive into the box. He cut the ball back to the 18 yard line where the onrushing Durmus fired home to bag his first goal for the Saints.

Jim Goodwin were clearly fired up after their goal and missed a couple of chances to extend the lead shortly after. Durmus and Gary Mackenzie headed over the bar as Aberdeen struggled to contain St Mirren down the wings.

Up the other end, the Saints defence were standing resolute and restricting the Dons to chances from distance. A powerful shot by Lewis Ferguson from about 25 yards out was straight at Vaclav Hladky and was the most the Czech goalkeeper was troubled in the first half.

The Buddies would have been expecting a reaction from Aberdeen in the second half and so it turned out to be as Main shot wide from the edge of the box and Hladky pulled off a terrific save to tip over a Ferguson header.

Main then had the ball in the net for his side. However, it was ruled out as the big striker illegally robbed the ball from the hands of Hladky.

The visitors then had what looked to be a strong shout for a penalty. A Ryan Hedges cross hit the arm of Ryan Flynn and there was a big shout from the Aberdeen fans and players alike for a penalty kick. Referee Steve McLean was unmoved however and the only action he took was to book Zak Vyner for his protestations.

Although the Buddies were more on the back-foot in the second half than they were the first, they were not without their chances.

Tony Andreu could not get the right contact on an inch perfect Paul McGinn cross and had to watch the ball trickle wide.

Kyle McAllister then came close to marking his return to the Saints with a fantastic goal as he drove from the halfway line before unleashing a curling effort just over the bar.

As the game went into four minutes of added on times Niall McGinn passed up on a gilt-edge chance to earn his side a point. The ball came to forward who was all alone at the back post, and with the goal at his mercy, hit the woodwork and the ball went harmlessly wide.

One goal was enough for the Buddies after an impressive performance. Goodwin’s men showed they can play good football and have the character to grind out results too after a battling second half display.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, McLoughlin, MacKenzie, Waters, Flynn, Foley, Magennis, Andreu (Breadner 88), Durmus (McAllister 70), Obika (Mullen 75)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Baird, MacPherson, Djorkaeff

Aberdeen: Lewis, Vyner, Leigh (Wilson 87), Considine, McKenna, Ojo, Ferguson, Wright (Gallagher 62), Hedges, McLennan (N.McGinn 62), Main
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Logan, Devlin, Campbell, Wilson

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: David Lowe

Attendance: 6,199

A late Scott Allan goal denied battling Buddies a point away to Hibernian on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.

Jim Goodwin's side had plenty of chances and looked worthy of a point before a piece of individual brilliance from Allan gave the Hibees all three points.

The manager gave starting debuts to Sean McLoughlin, Sam Foley and Ilkay Durmus - all of whom signed for Saints this week. 

The Buddies started the contest brightly with Kyle Magennis, captain in the absence of Stephen McGinn, playing a nice ball across the box in the third minute where both Ilkay Durmus and Danny Mullen were waiting. But the pair ended up getting in each others way allowing Hibs to clear.

Stevie Mallan had the game's first shot on goal on five minutes. The ex-Saint was a whisker away from scoring the opener with his powerful effort from the edge of the area flying just over Vaclav Hladky's crossbar. 

Debutant Durmus was looking lively for the Buddies down the left-hand side. A quick counter for Saints saw the Turkish winger bear down on goal but his cross-cum-shot was held by Ofir Marciano. 

Sam Foley tried to catch the big Israeli goalkeeper out when Saints won possession deep in the Hibees half. The midfielder attempted to catch the goalkeeper off his line but couldn't connect with it properly making it easy for Marciano to gather.

The Buddies were having a good spell and could have been ahead on 27 minutes when Tony Andreu's lovely through ball found Paul McGinn through on goal. Steven Whittaker was quick to get across to block McGinn's attempt.

Four minutes later, Durmus forced Marciano into a wonderful stop with the goalkeeper getting a strong hand on the winger's vicious strike from the left.

Hibernian were still very much in the match and could have taken the lead on 34 minutes when Horgan's low ball into the box had Hladky's beaten and looked primed to meet Florian Kamberi who was ready to tap home. But Gary MacKenzie did well to get in-front to knock the ball wide.

Durmus had a terrific chance to open the scoring just a few minutes before half-time. The winger was found in space inside the box by Foley and took a touch to steady himself before smashing his effort over the bar. Durmus had his head in his hands afterwards realising how good an opportunity it was.

The home side looked to take charge of the game in the early part of the second half and thought they had taken the lead on 52 minutes. Scott Allan had Hladky beaten with his curling effort, but the shot cracked off the inside of the post. The Hibees kept coming and had the ball in the net seconds later only to be denied by the offside flag. Joe Newell's header came off the same post as Allan's shot and fell to Kamberi who touched home. The far side linesman's flag curtailed the celebrations though subsequent pictures showed that the Swiss forward was actually onside. 

Saints were still creating chances with Andreu going close when received the ball from debutant Jonathan Obika 25 yards from goal. The Frenchman took it first time from on his left foot, drilling towards the top corner with Marciano clawing away to keep the score level.

With 10 minutes to go Sean McLoughlin had a great opportunity to put Saints in the lead when he ghosted in at the back post to meet Oan Djorkaeff's corner but nodded wide of the mark.

There was a scare for the Buddies when Stevie Mallan lined up a free-kick 25 yards from goal. St Mirren fans know what Mallan is capable of from that kind of range and having scored twice at Easter Road for Saints from free-kicks in the past there was the fear he was about to put his current side in front. The midfielder went for a low curling effort that was easy enough for Hladky to gather.

Hibernian would, however, take the lead just a minute later when Scott Allan danced his way into the St Mirren box and lashed beyond Hladky to break the deadlock.

Far from being down and out, Saints had two late chances to snatch an equaliser with Flynn heading wide from a MacPherson free-kick and debutant Obika flicking over the bar.

It wasn't to be on the opening day but Jim Goodwin will have taken plenty of encouragement from the performance of his players heading into next week's match against Aberdeen.

Full-Time: Hibernian 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, MacKenzie, McLoughlin, P.McGinn, Magennis (c), Flynn, Foley, Durmus (Breadner 71), Andreu (Djorkaeff 74), Mullen (Obika 55)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Baird, McAllister, Erhahon

Hibernian: Marciano, Whittaker, Hanlon, Jackson, James (Mackie 45), Vela (Doidge 65), Mallan, Newell, Allan, Horgan (Slivka 65), Kamberi
Subs Not Used: Maxwell, McGregor, Shaw, Murray 

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 16,631 (845 St Mirren fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren's Betfred Cup campaign came to an end after a goalless draw away to Albion Rovers. 

Saints had to win and hope results elsewhere would go our way to have any chance of qualifying for the next round, but couldn't find the breakthrough during a stuffy 90 minutes against the League Two side.

Jim Goodwin was forced into one change from the side that drew 0-0 with East Kilbride on Saturday. Stephen McGinn, who picked up a knock during that draw, was replaced by Cody Cooke. 

Already depleted, Saints were dealt an early blow when Cammy MacPherson had to be replaced on seven minutes after picking up a shoulder injury. On came 18 year-old Nick McAllister who almost nabbed himself a debut goal just four minutes after taking the field. He floated in at the back post to get his head on the end of an Oan Djorkaeff cross but nodded over.

The Buddies could have found themselves ahead on the half-hour mark with Jack Baird and Kyle Magennis going close. A corner in fell kindly to Baird who cracked a low effort into the post. The Albion defence couldn't get the ball away which allowed Magennis to nod over goalkeeper Chris Smith. Just as it looked set to creep over the line a Rovers defender was there to clear.

Saints continued to press for an opener and again went close twice in quick succession on 38 minutes. Albion keeper Smith made a terrific fingertip stop to turn a powerful Cody Cooke attempt by the post. The ball fell to Djorkaeff on the edge of the box after Magennis had a shot blocked from a corner. The Frenchman wasn't far away with his attempt, curling just wide of the keeper's left-hand post. 

The hosts went close with five minutes to go before the interval when Ross Clarke sent an effort just over the bar from the edge of the Saints box.

Danny Mullen should have given Saints the breakthrough on 45 minutes when Ryan Flynn sent the forward one-on-one with Smith but the goalkeeper made a good block to keep it level at half-time.

Magennis, captain for the evening in the absence of Stephen McGinn, went mightily close to breaking the deadlock five minutes into the second half. The midfielder met a Tony Andreu header around 25 yards from goal and crashed a volley agonisingly past the post with the keeper beaten. 

And it was a volley that could have had the home side ahead with just over 20 minutes to go. A ball was floated across the Saints box where it met Roberts in acres of space. The Rovers number seven caught the ball sweetly but smashed his attempt off the bar.

St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Cammy Breadner was brought on with just over 10 minutes to go and looked to have made an impact when his super ball into the box was turned home by Danny Mullen with just six minutes remaining. However, the lineswoman raised her offside flag to keep it 0-0.

There were further late chances for Mullen and Magennis who both almost snatched a late winner for the visitors, but, for the second match in a row, St Mirren were taken to penalties. Bryan Wharton and Smart Osadolor missed for the hosts while Paul McGinn, Andreu, Flynn and Magennis netted for Saints giving us the bonus point as we ended our Betfred Cup campaign on six points.

Full-Time: Albion Rovers 0-0 St Mirren (St Mirren win 4-3 on penalties)

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson (McAllister 7), P.McGinn, Baird, Erhahon, Flynn, Magennis, Djorkaeff (Breadner 79), Andreu, Cooke, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Walker, Glover

Albion Rovers: Smith, Lynas, Clarke, Wilson, Fagan (Wharton 77), Morena, Roberts, Fotheringham, Osadolor, East, Stewart (Phillips 76)
Subs Not Used: Carlin, Paterson, Gordon, Krones

Referee: Barry Cook
Assistant Referee: Kylie Cockburn
Assistant Referee: David Ingram

Attendance: 512

St Mirren's hopes of qualifying for the next round of the Betfred Cup were dealt a blow after a frustrating 0-0 draw away to East Kilbride. 

Saints were largely in control of the match but couldn't find a breakthrough with East Kilbride goalkeeper Alan Martin in fine form, earning himself the man of the match away. 

The Buddies disappointment was compounded as East Kilbride picked up the bonus point after coming out on top on penalties.

The first opportunity of the match fell to the hosts on five minutes when Paul McGinn's clearance came off Jack Baird and landed at the feet of Sean Winter. The East Kilbride winger got his shot away but the attempt was always heading wide. 

It was a slow start to the match, but the Buddies started to turn the screw after 20 minutes with Tony Andreu at the centre of three Saints chances in quick succession. The Frenchman played a lovely through ball for Oan Djorkaeff who looked primed to go one-on-one with Martin. But a last-gasp challenge from a Kilby defender allowed the goalkeeper to come out and smother.

Moments later, Andreu played a corner to the edge of the area where it met skipper Stephen McGinn. The captain had a go but Martin was equal to it. 

Andreu then picked out Kyle Magennis inside the East Kilbride box. The young midfielder rounded Martin but slammed into the side net from a tight angle. 

With half-time approaching Saints really should have been ahead when Stephen McGinn's long ball found Danny Mullen clear of the Kilby defence. The striker smashed goalward, denied by a fine Martin save before the goalkeeper blocked the follow-up attempt.

Saints looked like they would take the lead just seconds before the whistle blew for half-time when Magennis curled a shot towards the far post. It seemed as if it was going to creep in but Martin managed to gather.

The Buddies started the second-half brightly with Djorkaeff heading over from a corner and Mullen & Magennis having efforts saved by Martin in the opening five minutes after the interval. 

Jim Goodwin made changes after the hour mark with Jim Kellermann and Cody Cooke on to replace Stephen McGinn and Magennis. Cooke went agonisingly close to heading Saints ahead just a few minutes after his introduction. The English striker was on the end of a wonderful Cammy MacPherson cross but nodded just over the bar.

With just over 10 minutes to go, the Buddies cranked up the pressure. Andreu had a shot blocked after getting on the end of a quick Ryan Flynn free-kick and sent another effort inches wide either side of a Kellermann strike that was well saved by Martin. 

But Saints couldn't find the breakthrough they needed and headed to penalties for a bonus point. Paul McGinn, Andreu, Flynn and MacPherson all scored which allowed Danny Mullen the chance to win it after Ryan Sinnamon had missed for the home side. However, the striker smashed his penalty over taking the match to sudden death. Djorkaeff scored as did East Kilbride's Dean Cairns. Cooke missed after being ordered to retake his penalty which allowed David Brownlie to seal the bonus point for the Lowland League outfit.

Full Time: East Kilbride 0-0 St Mirren (East Kilbride win 6-5 on penalties)

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, P.McGinn, Baird, Erhahon, Flynn, S.McGinn (Kellermann 61), Magennis (Cooke 70), Andreu, Djorkaeff, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Walker, McAllister, Glover, Breadner

East Kilbride: Martin, Sinnamon, Coll, Reid (c), Brownlie, Cairns, Winter (Carmichael 55), Holmes (Stevenson 70), Paton (Kavanagh 64), Brady, Woods
Subs Not Used: Kean, E. MacPherson

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks
Assistant Referee: David Dunne

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Jim Goodwin picked up his first win as St Mirren manager as Saints overcame stuffy Edinburgh City thanks to Oan Djorkaeff's late penalty.

After a fairly quiet opening 70 minutes Saints upped the ante in the final 20 and made the breakthrough when Frenchman Djorkaeff netted from 12 yards after Paul McGinn had been fouled inside the penalty box in 89 minutes.

The win moved Saints into second in Group H ahead of Saturday's trip to K-Park to face East Kilbride. 

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that lost to Dunfermline on Sunday with Cameron MacPherson and Oan Djorkaeff in for Ethan Erhahon and Danny Mullen.

Cody Cooke led the line for Saints and it was the Englishman who had the first opportunity of the match on 13 minutes with an audacious overhead kick at the far post that went wide.

Just under 10 minutes later Gary MacKenzie headed into the arms of Edinburgh City goalkeeper Callum Antell following Tony Andreu's corner. City broke forward at speed with Josh Walker finding himself in on goal. The Citizens skipper attempted to chip Vaclav Hladky but the goalkeeper was equal to the attempt. 

Hladky was forced into another save just before the half-hour mark when MacKenzie slipped allowing the visitors a chance to run through on goal. Scott Shepherd fed the ball to Alex Harris on the edge of the area but his low curling effort was held by the Czech goalkeeper.

Jim Goodwin made two changes after 60 minutes in an attempt to find the opener with Ethan Erhahon and Danny Mullen coming on in place of Kyle Magennis and Tony Andreu. 

The substitutes looked to have combined to give Saints the lead on 70 minutes when Mullen cheekily flicked Erhahon's ball across the box beyond Antell only for the linesman to rule it out for offside. 

That did seem to spur the home side on with Cooke and Ryan Flynn both going close soon after. Cooke met a MacPherson cross first time with Antell doing well to block before the goalkeeper made a terrific save to push away Flynn's long-range volley. 

While the home side were looking the more likely there was a scare for the Saints defence when substitute Allan Smith brilliantly brought down a ball over the top and got his shot away. However, the effort drifted wide.

Mullen had two big chances in the last 10 minutes to win the game for the Buddies. He first broke the offside trap to get a foot on a deflected Flynn effort. The Edinburgh defence stopped assuming the linesman's flag would be forthcoming. But it wasn't raised and the striker's touch was blocked by the goalkeeper. A few minutes later Paul McGinn did well to keep the ball in play at the touchline and sent it across the box to Mullen who flicked wide from close range.

St Mirren kept coming and it was Paul McGinn's determination to reach the ball ahead of an Edinburgh City defender that won the Buddies a penalty. The City defender tried to see the ball out but McGinn managed to get in front with the away stopper swinging a high foot and catching the full-back on the face. Referee Greg Aitken pointed to the spot and Djorkaeff, on his first start for the Buddies, stepped up to take and confidently dispatched of the ball sending Antell the wrong way and securing three Group H points for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Edinburgh City 

St Mirren: Hladky, MacPherson, Baird, MacKenzie, P.McGinn, Magennis (Erhahon 62), Flynn, S.McGinn (c), Djorkaeff, Andreu (Mullen 65), Cooke (Breadner 90)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Kellermann, Jamie Walker, Glover

Edinburgh City: Antell, Thomson, McIntyre, Balatoni, Laird, Josh Walker, Sinclair (Smith 73), Crane, Shepherd (Handling 74), Henderson, Harris
Subs Not Used: Watson, Adamson, Shaw, Kennedy, Lumsden

Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gary Logan

Attendance: 1,235

It was a frustrating start to the Jim Goodwin era as Saints lost 3-2 to Dunfermline in their opening Betfred Cup group game.

The Pars were in front inside 20 minutes as Ryan Dow shot past Vaclav Hladky and soon after they were two clear when Andy Ryan found the net with a fine finish. Incredibly, things got even worse before the break as Ryan hit the post and Tom Beadling followed in to score the rebound to seemingly finish things off.

It wasn't until just after the hour mark that Saints finally showed signs of life as the scored twice in quick succession. First, Coody Cooke curled a shot past goalie Ryan Scully from the edge of the area, then Danny Mullen pounced after the Pars keeper fluffed his lines at a corner to cut the gap to one. However, they were unable to find the equaliser that would have taken the game to penalties.

Dow fired an early warning that obviously wasn't heeded as he got in behind the home defence before forcing a good save from Hladky. Saints threatened for the first time when Ryan Flynn's looping cross was fumbled by Scully before the goalie recovered in time to block Kyle Magennis effort. A few minutes later Cooke volleyed off target from Ethan Erhahon's cross but any hope that Saints were clicking in to gear was about to be extinguished in dramatic fashion.

The Buddies lost possession in the middle of the park and Josh Coley pounced, wriggling himself free of his man before sliding a pass through for Dow just before he was wiped out. Once again Dow was in acres of space and this time he made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to put Dunfermline in front.

It took six minutes for things to go from bad to worse. This time Kevin Nisbet won the ball in midfield and he found Ryan with a great pass, the striker clinically curling past Hladky to double the Pars' advantage.

Paul McGinn blazed an ambitious effort well off target as Saints tried to react, Tony Andreu rattling a shot into the midriff of a Pars defender. Dunfermline could then have moved further in front as Coley once again caused problems and found Ryan, but the striker didn't show the same composure as earlier and lashed at his shot. He looked to have done rather better a few minutes later when his shot beat Hladky but not the post, however Beadling reacted far quicker than the home defence and thumped the ball into the unguarded net to give the visitors a three-goal advantage at the break.

Gary MacKenzie headed over from Andreu's corner early in the second half but it didn't seem to signal a turning of the tide. Instead, the Saints defence still looked disjointed, a mix-up almost letting Dow in but Hladky was out early to take care of the danger. A rare Buddies chance came when Danny Mullen nodded the ball on for Paul McGinn and the fullback's shot from the edge of the box fizzed just wide.

There was finally something for the home fans to cheer just after the hour mark. Erhahon got himself a bit of space on the left and fed a short pass to Cooke, who took a touch before curling his shot round the outstretched arm of the relatively unworked Scully to reduce the deficit. It fell further a few minutes later as Scully once again made a mess of a cross, this time failing to get close to an Andreu corner, and Mullen rattled it home. The Pars keeper appealed for a foul but there was nothing doing and it was game on.

Jack Baird strode forward and sent an ambitious effort wide from distance as Saints tried to claw themselves level. Andreu went closer when he won the ball back after his free-kick was blocked, his shot going narrowly over the bar. The push for an equaliser was always going to leave Saints even a more exposed at the back and when a cross found Coley in acres of space it looked like he'd put things to bed for good, only for Hladky to brilliantly turn his shot behind.

Dunfermline sacrificed their attackers in a bid to steady the ship and it did the job, Saints unable to carve out any real chances despite having plenty of possession in the final third. Five minutes of stoppage time provided a glimmer of hope and there was almost a dramatic finale when Hladky went up for a late corner, the keeper's header going wide seconds before the final whistle was blown.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-3 Dunfermline

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, MacKenzie, Erhahon, S.McGinn (Djorkaeff 79), Flynn, Magennis, Andreu, Cooke, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Glover, Walker, Breadner, Kellermann, MacPherson

Dunfermline: Scully, Comrie, Martin, Ashcroft, Morrison, Paton, Dow (McCann 89), Beadling, Nisbet (McGill 62), Ryan (Turner 68), Coley
Subs Not Used: Gill, Lang, Todd, Bowman

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Fourth Official: Steven Reid

Attendance: 2,067

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Saints will be playing Premiership football next season after holding their nerve to see off Dundee United on penalties in the play-off final.

The visitors had shown their prowess from the spot in the first half when Nicky Clark scored after Jack Baird was deemed to have handled inside the box. However, the lead didn't last long as a few minutes later Danny Mullen pounced on Mark Reynolds' mis-hit clearance to fire past Benjamin Siergrist.

That was the end of the scoring in normal time and there were no more goals in extra-time, although Saints did have sub Duckens Nazon sent off for a challenge on Mark Connolly.

And so it was on to the drama of penalties. Incredibly, United failed to convert any of the first three while Saints scored their first two. Mateo Muzek hit the post with his effort but when Vaclav Hladky saved Callum Booth's effort with his legs, it was party time in Paisley.

There was a tremendous atmosphere from the off with the Simple Digital Arena packed to capacity. Saints were first to threaten, a free-kick being cleared as far as Stephen McGinn who thumped it towards goal only for Siegrist to turn it away. When Mullen got in behind the United defence he had to wait what seemed an age for support to arrive and when it did, Kyle McAllister sliced his shot out for a throw-in. Moments later, Paul McGinn delivered a wonderful cross that Mullen couldn't quite get on the end of, although it didn't matter as the offside flag was already up.

It wasn't all Saints, United having enjoyed plenty of possession in the final third but unable to do anything with it. However, that was all to change midway through the first half. After some penalty box pinball, the ball sat up for Pavol Safranko whose shot took a deflection and looped up in the air. Hladky reacted brilliantly to turn it away but when Booth got onto the loose ball he smashed it against Baird's arm. Ref John Beaton wasted little time in pointing to the spot and Clark made no mistake as he tucked away the penalty.

The Saints response had to be swift – and it arrived within minutes. As Reynolds tried to make a relatively simple clearance he instead managed little more than a fresh air swipe and the ever alert Mullen was on it in a flash, drilling a first time shot past Siegrist to level things up. Things could have been even better a few minutes later when McAllister's shot found the bottom corner, but again the flag was up for offside.

The game was beginning to open up, Clark shooting over from Jamie Robson's cross as United tried to retake the lead before a fine run by Lee Hodson saw him tee up Kyle Magennis, however his shot always looked as if it was heading a yard or two over.

The start of the second half was equally frantic and Saints should have been front when they hit United on the break. Hodson released Mullen on the left and while his cross was too high for Cody Cooke it found the unmarked McAllister at the back post but he could only shoot into the side netting. Hladky did brilliantly to turn Paul Watson's header behind from a United corner before McAllister collected a wonderful cross field pass from Baird only to send his shot wide.

It was beginning to look as if it would be a mistake or a moment of magic that would decide it, Cooke nicking the ball as Booth was short with his header back to Siegrist but the keeper blocked the shot with his legs. The goalie was in action again seconds later as he did brilliantly to keep out Paul McGinn's header from Hodson's wonderful cross, Siegrist getting back up quickly enough to tip the spinning ball over the bar.

As the game entered its final stages United looked the likelier side to score, their fans behind the goal trying their best to suck the ball into the net. There was a blow for Saints in stoppage time as Gary MacKenzie, who had already taken a sore one to the head from Safranko earlier in the half, went down and this time it was the end of his afternoon as he was replaced by Anton Ferdinand.

As extra-time began it was another Saints sub who almost made the difference, Nazon's cross being diverted towards goal by United's Mark Connolly before a team-mate knocked the ball behind to safety. United sub Osman Sow dragged a shot well wide as he snatched at a chance before Siergirst comfortably saved an ambitious effort from Cooke.

The striker had the first chance of the second period, taking down Mateo Muzek's cross on his chest before his shot was deflected behind. An unlikely figure then nearly put Saints in front, Baird striding on to a lose ball before his long range shot was turned behind by Siegrist.

The Buddies were definitely on top and a glorious chance fell to Nazon after United duffed a clearance but he lashed it wide. The striker's brief afternoon was about to get much worse as when he jumped with Connolly, the United defender hit the deck. Mr Beaton felt an elbow had been used and showed Nazon the red card. That gave United some hope but they couldn't threaten and it was down to the lottery of penalties.

United went first, shooting into the Saints support, and Hladky kept out Peter Pawlett's effort. Paul McGinn scored his before Hladky was the hero again, this time denying Safranko. With Mihai Popescu making no mistake, Osman Sow had to score to give United any hope – but he could only hit the post. Muzek stepped forward knowing if he scored it was done, but he also hit the woodwork. However, it was just delaying the inevitable as Hladky stopped Booth's effort with his legs to secure Saints' survival and spark a pitch invasion of joy.

A few months ago Saints looked dead and buried but a fantastic run of form from February saw them narrowly miss out on 10th place before securing survival through the play-offs. It may not quite match the great escape of two years ago but Oran Kearney, his staff and players can be rightly proud of an incredible turnaround that means there will be Premiership football in Paisley next season.

St Mirren: Hladky, Popescu, Baird, MacKenzie (Ferdinand 90), P.McGinn, S.McGinn, Magennis (Muzek 86), Hodson, McAllister (Nazon 84), Cooke, Mullen 
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Erhahon, MacPherson, Flynn

Dundee United: Siegrist, Robson (Pawlett 55), Watson, Reynolds, Connolly, Booth, Bouhenna (Butcher 85), Harkes, McMullan, Clark (Sow 69), Safranko
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Frans, Stanton, Smith

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Attendance: FULL HOUSE!

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren will take the fight to finish 10th to the final day after a deserved 2-0 win over Hamilton Academical at the Simple Digital Arena.

Second-half goals from St Mirren Youth Academy graduates Kyle McAllister and Kyle Magennis wrapped up the three points with Saints still in with a chance of avoiding the Ladbrokes Premiership relegation play-offs. 

It was all or nothing for the Buddies who knew they had to take all three points to have any chance of avoiding a play-off spot heading into the match. Oran Kearney made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Motherwell the week previous with Magennis starting in place of Ryan Flynn.

It was, however, the visitors who should have taken the lead when a long ball from Accies goalkeeper Gary Woods found its way to George Oakley who raced through on the Saints goal. Buddies goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was off his line quickly, but was rounded by Oakley who looked set to roll the ball into the back of the empty net. The English striker let the ball run too far and slammed over from a tight angle.

Saints immediately broke forward and could have been ahead when Paul McGinn's ball across met an unmarked Magennis in the box. The midfielder had time to take a touch but decided to take it first time and curled well over the bar.

Scott Martin had two chances in the space of a minute for the visitors but failed to make either count. The first saw him pounce on a slack clearance from Hladky. He picked up the ball around 40 yards from goal and had a go with the keeper stranded but sent it well wide. 60 seconds later he sent an effort from the edge of the box into the arms of the Saints goalie. 

Hamilton's Aaron McGowan was lucky to escape a red card on 19 minutes after kicking out at Danny Mullen. The Saints striker was shielding the ball before falling to the ground. McGowan, who may have argued he was trying to get the ball, kicked out at the forward much to the anger of the Saints team. Referee Willie Collum raced across and booked the Accies defender, while he also booked Saints skipper Stephen McGinn for his remonstrations. 

Accies would be reduced to 10 men 10 minutes later as Alex Gogic was given his marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Simeon Jackson was about to race clear on goal after getting on the end of a McAllister pass, though the Canadian was hauled to the ground by Gogic who was promptly shown a red card. 

McAllister stepped up to take the resultant free-kick but sent it straight into the arms of Woods. Brad Lyons and Stephen McGinn had half chances before the interval as the Buddies looked to make their man advantage count but it would remain goalless at the break.

Mullen and McAllister both had sniffs at goal 10 minutes into the second 45 with the former heading over from a Mateo Muzek cross and the latter sending an effort high and wide.

10 men Accies had a big opportunity to take the lead just before the hour mark through substitute Mickel Miller. He found himself on the end of a flick on and charged into the box. Miller had Tony Andreu in the centre waiting for a pass but elected to go alone and dragged a poor effort wide of the mark. 

Saints made a change on 61 minutes as Ryan Flynn came on in place of Brad Lyons and it was after the hour mark that the Buddies really stepped up a gear.

Mihai Popescu almost found the opener with a header on 63 minutes only to be denied by a terrific save from Woods. From the resultant corner Simeon Jackson headed over.

The Buddies were having all the pressure with McGowan having to turn over a dangerous Paul McGinn cross and Mullen having a shot deflected by for a corner. It seemed for a spell like it was corner after corner for Saints and while they all looked like they might yield something for the home side nothing was coming off. 

With 15 minutes to go Saints finally made the breakthrough thanks to McAllister. The winger played a reverse pass with Paul McGinn and took the ball down well inside the box. He got his first shot wrong however though the block from an Accies defender found the ball back at McAllister's feet and he made no mistake second time around as he slammed low beyond Woods to give the Buddies a well-earned opener.

Woods denied McAllister a second with a good block with 10 minutes remaining, but Accies, who knew a draw would be enough to ensure their Ladbrokes Premiership survival, came at Saints. Dougie Imrie's chip into the box met Oakley who head towards Andreu. Hladky was brave to get in ahead of the Frenchman to claw away. But Saints couldn't clear their lines allowing Oakley a chance as he smashed just wide from 20 yards

Six minutes of injury time were added after an injury to Miller and Saints did well to keep control in stoppage time. Magennis rounded off a good evening for the Buddies as he made it two goals from two with a composed finish from inside the box after robbing Darian MacKinnon of the ball. 

Hamilton still have the advantage heading in to the final day, but Saints have given themselves a chance of avoiding the play-offs and could do so with a draw or a win at Dundee depending on how Accies fair at home to St Johnstone on Saturday.

Full Time: St Mirren 2-0 Hamilton Academical

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Popescu, MacKenzie (Baird 38), Muzek, S.McGinn (c), Lyons (Flynn 61), Magennis, McAllister, Jackson (Cooke 68), Mullen
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, Hodson, Nazon

Hamilton: Woods, McGowan, McMann, Gordon, Martin (Imrie 79), Mimnaugh (Sowah 31), Gogic, MacKinnon (c), Andreu, Ogkmpoe (Miller 56), Oakley
Subs Not Used: Marsden, Smith, Hamilton, Davies

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: John McKendrick

Attendance: 6,421