A spectacular goal salvaged a stoppage time point for Saints for the second week running as they drew with Motherwell in dramatic circumstances.

This time it was Kyle Magennis who conjured up an equaliser, the young midfielder thundering a volley high into the net after Mihai Popescu's throw in had been flicked across goal with barely seconds remaining.

That cancelled out David Turnbull's opener as he'd fired Motherwell in front with less than 20 minutes to goal. Magennis' timely intervention was welcome, although results elsewhere meant it didn't make a huge difference to the relegation picture.

The midfielder once again started the game on the bench as he continues his comeback, Kyle McAllister taking over from the injured Anders Dreyer. Although Turnbull started for the hosts, there was no sign of fellow impressive youngster Jake Hastie.

Motherwell nearly made a dream start as they went close to scoring inside five minutes. Hladky did well to deny Allan Campbell but the ball bounced out to Gboly Ariybi who looked set to stroke it home, however Mateo Muzek was in the right place to hack the ball off the line. There was some less impressive goalkeeping at the other end as Mark Gillespie appeared to have gathered McAllister's free-kick only to nearly throw the ball into his own net.

Hladky helped James Scott's drive around the post as the Steelmen threatened again before McAllister had Saints' first real chance, curling an effort just wide from the edge of the box. Gillespie denied Jackson as the striker tried to flick the ball home at a corner but the flag was already up for offside before Liam Grimshaw fizzed a shot off the outside of the post from 25 yards. That was followed by Magennis replacing Ryan Flynn, who had been unable to shake off an injury he'd picked up a few minutes earlier.

The first half had been scrappy but Saints started brightly after the break, Magennis' fierce shot being blocked at the edge of the box, Danny Mullen then appealing furiously for a foul after something happened off the ball. The striker saw his shot kept out by Gillespie after he'd been set up by Jackson before slack play from Popescu let in Scott, however Hladky was able to clear the danger at the expense of a corner.

That moment seemed to spark Motherwell into life, Turnbull sending a long range shot over before his free-kick was headed off by Scott. The arrival of Duckens Nazon in place of Mullen gave Saints some fresh impetus but they weren't able to take advantage of it before they fell behind. Sub Elliot Frear's cross was knocked down by James Scott and Turnbull was given plenty of time to pick his spot as he rattled a shot past Hladky.

Saints tried to respond, Gillespie spilling McAllister's attempt to sneak a free-kick in at the near post eith no one in a black and white shirt in quite the right place to force it home. Stephen McGinn followed brother Paul into the book for a foul on Ariyibi but Turnbull's free-kick was straight at Hladky.

There had been little sign of a Buddies equaliser but a glorious chance arrived in stoppage time, Stephen McGinn picking out Cody Cooke but he volleyed tamely at Gillespie. As Saints pushed they almost got caught on the break, Frear finding himself through on goal but Hladky dealt with his shot easily.

And that seemed to be that – but Saints had one final chance when they won a throw in deep in the Motherwell half. Popescu launched it into the box and when it bounced off a head it fell perfectly for Magennis to thunder home, sparking wild scenes among the travelling support behind the goal. It means Saints are now four points behind Hamilton and while they can no longer finish bottom, they'll have to beat Accies in their next game to have any chance of avoiding the play-offs.

Full Time: Motherwell 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Popescu, MacKenzie (Cooke 89), Muzek, S.McGinn, Flynn (Magennis 25), Lyons, McAllister, Mullen (Nazon 68), Jackson
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Baird, Ferdinand, Hodson

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait, McHugh, Aldred, Dunne, Cadden, Campbell, Ariyibi (Livingstone 87), Grimshaw (Frear 63), Turnbull (Semple 82), Scott
Subs Not Used: Hartley, Johnson, Main, Sammon

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Fourth Official: David Lowe

Attendance: 5,274 (1,681 St Mirren fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

A last gasp wonder strike from Danny Mullen ensured a share of the points in Paisley.

Mullen's last-minute volley grabbed a crucial well-deserved point in an exciting game at The Simple Digital Arena.

The battle of the Saints was proceeded by one-minute applause in memory of former Scotland great, Billy McNeil, who died aged 79 earlier in the week.

St Johnstone had an early break down the right-hand side after a scrappy first ten minutes. A well worked move from the visitors saw the ball floated into the St Mirren box aimed for Callum Hendry. However, it was hastily dealt with by Vaclav Hladky in the Buddies net.

The men from Perth were causing problems down the right-hand side again a minute later. St Johnstone defender, Richard Foster, had his cross blocked which resulted in the first corner of the game.

The match then entered a pendulum period, switching possession relentlessly with every ball being battled by both teams. 

St Mirren could have been ahead on the 20th minute when the ball broke to Mateo Muzek just outside the penalty area, Muzek fought off challenges to swing a left-footed strike goalwards which was rashly punched over the bar by Clark in the St Johnstone net for a corner.  The subsequent ball into the box was cleared by the away side, but the play did signal a turn in what was a very good spell for the Paisley men.

St Johnstone's Murray Davidson received a stern talking to from the referee for his late challenge on Ryan Flynn. From the proceeding free kick at the halfway line, the Buddies threatened the Perth side with a testing ball into the box which eventually lead to a corner kick. The half-hour mark came, with the game finely balanced and highly contested.

A late challenge on Paul McGinn resulted in a booking for St Johnstone’s Murray Davidson. The proceeding free kick out was floated in by Anders Dreyer, but the ball bypassed all players before crashing off the St Johnstone post.

A late flurry of good play from St Mirren before the break saw Danny Mullen's header just over the bar. The game was poised at nil-nil at the halftime break.

St Johnstone began the second half a little sharper than the home side, putting the Buddies under some early pressure. However, the game slowly moulded into a similar pattern as the first half, with barely anything to separate the sides and the best chances falling to the home team.

Stephen McGinn slipped a clever through-ball to Dreyer in the 52nd minute. The Dane took a neat touch before being taken out by St Johnstone's Scott Tanser. The resulting free kick was cleared by the Perth side, who then broke away quickly. A foul on the halfway line by Ryan Flynn halted the move and earned him a yellow card.

St Mirren then endured a tense few minutes as a dangerous looking free kick for St Johnstone on their left hand flank was whipped in by Kennedy. The powerful cross was headed clear back to where it came from before a questionable decision by the referee resulted in another St Johnstone free kick. The ball eventually broke clear to the substitute, McAllister, on the left hand side who was carelessly brought down near the halfway line.

In to the last ten minutes and substitute, Simeon Jackson caused problems in the St Johnstone box. The striker turned a St Johnstone defender and forced a quick reaction from the keeper.

However, the Saints were dealt a blow just ten minutes from time. Against the run of play, a great sweeping cross ball by St Johnstone's Liam Craig landed at Richard Foster, who carried the ball in his stride before winning the bounce of the ball over McAllister. Foster then slotted the ball inside to substitute Chris Kane, who had kept up with play. Kane made no mistake from 8 yards out and placed the ball into the St Mirren bottom left-hand corner.

The final minutes became a dog-fight, with St Mirren anxiously looking for the equaliser which they deserved. McAllister's excellent Cruyff turn and cross into the box was eventually cleared, but St Mirren continued to apply pressure looking for a goal. The final five minutes were all at St Mirren's feet, with loads of possession but struggling to find that killer ball which would lead to a goal.

The home side’s moment eventually arrived with minutes to spare of regular time. Vaclav Hladky picked up the ball near the halfway line, miles from his goal, and fired a hopeful ball towards Simeon Jackson. The ball was met by the head of St Johnstone’s Kerr but the clearance fell enticingly for Mullen whose left foot produced the sweetest of volleys which rocketed into the top right-hand corner of the net. Not only a vital equaliser but also a contender for goal of the season. 

The full-time whistle went shortly after, ensuring a hard-fought draw was confirmed. The result moves the Buddies seven points clear of bottom side Dundee and keeps us just two points behind Hamilton.

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Popescu, MacKenzie, Baird (Magennis 45), Muzek, S.McGinn (c), Flynn, Lyons (Jackson 72), Dreyer (McAllister 59), Mullen
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, Hodson, Nazon

St Johnstone: Clark, Foster, Kerr, Gordon, Tanser, Callachan (Wotherspoon 45), Craig, O'Halloran, Davidson, Kennedy (Swanson 77), Hendry (Kane 66)
Subs Not Used: Bell, Shaughnessy, Swanson, Easton, Goss

Referee: Steven Mclean
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Fourth Official: Colin Steven

Attendance: 5,123 

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren picked up a huge three points after a brilliant 3-1 win over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena this afternoon. 

Saints had to come from behind to defeat 10-man Livingston to extend the gap over Dundee at the bottom to six points and move to within two of Hamilton Accies.

The home side started brightly with Keaghan Jacobs and Scott Robinson sending efforts just wide inside the opening 10 minutes.

But they were dealt a major blow on 17 minutes when Craig Halkett was shown a straight red card after he was adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity. The Livi captain caught Brad Lyons as he the Northern Irishman charged through on goal and referee William Collum showed no hesitation in pulling out the red card.

Despite that setback, it was the 10 men who took the lead on 20 minutes. To Livi's credit it was a well worked goal which finished with Scott Robinson on hand to tap home a cutback from Steven Lawless.

While it was frustrating for Saints, the Buddies found themselves level just six minutes later. Anders Dreyer fed the ball to Paul McGinn out on the right and the full-back charged into the box, finishing from a tight angle to make it 1-1.

Both sides had chances before half-time with Ryan Flynn making an incredible clearance to deny Scott Pittman a tap-in, while Danny Mullen shot straight at Kelly from the edge of the box after a neat interplay with Dreyer.

Oran Kearney made an attacking substitution at the break with Simeon Jackson coming on to replace Gary MacKenzie. And the Buddies were right at Livingston from the get go. Mullen rose the highest to meet a Paul McGinn cross just a minute after the interval but Kelly was equal to the header.

Just five minutes after coming on Jackson had a chance to put Saints ahead after being found in space inside the box. Dreyer slipped the ball through to the striker but Kelly beat away the shot.

Mullen almost had us in front near the hour mark but for a vital block from Hakeem Odoffin. Mihai Popescu's lovely through ball found Jackson who broke into the box and played it across the box for Mullen whose first time flick was sent over by the leg of the Livi defender.

Saints were having the majority of the pressure but couldn't find a way through. Kyle McAllister and Kyle Magennis were both introduced in place of Brad Lyons and Ethan Erhahon. The substitutions paid dividends with Magennis almost scoring just after coming on. His one-two with Dreyer found him in on goal but Kelly blocked the attempt.

However, it was from that passage of play that Saints would find themselves in front. Livingston couldn't clear their lines after Kelly's save allowing Stephen McGinn to put the ball into the box where it broke nicely to Mullen who, with his back to goal, turned and unleashed a powerful effort into the left corner to send the away stand into raptures.

The scenes only intensified as the Buddies added a third less than two minutes later. Kyle McAllister drove on and unleashed a shot from range down the throat of Kelly. The keeper couldn't hold it with Jackson was on hand to knock it into the net from close range to earn Saints a valuable three points.

Full Time: Livingston 1-3 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, MacKenzie (Jackson 45), Popescu, Erhahon (Magennis 76), S. McGinn (c), Flynn, Lyons (McAllister 63), Dreyer, Mullen
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Muzek, Hodson, Ferdinand

Livingston: Kelly, Lithgow, Halkett, Gallagher, Jacobs, Lawson, Pittman, Sibbald (Lamie 52), Robinson, Lawless (Odoffin 23), Hardie (Menga 73)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Byrne, Tiffoney, De Vita

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 2,347

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren picked up a point and extended the gap over bottom side Dundee to three points after a 1-1 draw with Hamilton Academical at the Hope CBD Stadium.

The Buddies arguably had the better of the match but fell behind on 63 minutes when Steven Davies opened the scoring for the visitors. Saints fought back though and were level just three minutes later when Anders Dreyer scored his first St Mirren goal from the penalty spot. Both sides had chances to win the game but in the end had to settle for a share of the spoils.

St Mirren shot towards the 1,700 strong Saints contingent in the first half and should have been ahead with just five minutes on the clock. Good pressure from Paul McGinn on Scott McMann allowed Brad Lyons to pick up on a loose ball. The midfielder had the goal gaping but took one touch too many allowing McMann to recover and get the tackle in before Lyons shot over at the second attempt.

Saints were adamant they should have had a penalty on 23 minutes when Anders Dreyer was wiped out in the box by Ziggy Gordon. The Danish forward had skipped into the box and sent a low ball across before being taken out. The Buddies were furious but referee John Beaton decided the challenge was fair. 

Hamilton could have found themselves ahead five minutes later only for Vaclav Hladky to come to Saints' rescue. A loose clearance from Jack Baird was picked up on by Darian MacKinnon. The midfielder slotted a lovely through ball into Steve Davies who spun away from Baird, but Hladky made himself big to turn the effort wide.

St Mirren spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead with five minutes of the half remaining. Simeon Jackson did well to get in ahead of Ziggy Gordon to win the ball and laid it off to Lyons who charged through on goal. The midfielder had Danny Mullen in space inside the box, but looked in two minds as he elected to go it alone and stabbed the ball wide. 

Hladky was alert at the start of the second half as he turned an Aaron McGowan shot from the angle off the post just two minutes after the interval. 

Indeed, Accies were brighter in the second half than they had been in the first and Hladky again made a good stop to deny Mickel Miller's effort with Ethan Erhahon on the line to turn away George Oakley's follow up effort. 

Hamilton took the lead on 63 minutes. The Saints defence failed to clear their lines allowing Tony Andreu to whip a ball into the box where it met Davies. The forward got in front of his defender flicked home via the post with his left foot. 

It was frustration for Saints who would have felt they should already have been ahead in the match. But the reaction was good from Oran Kearney's charges as they found themselves level just three minutes later. Anders Dreyer was felled inside the box by Ziggy Gordon and this time referee John Beaton pointed to the penalty spot. The Dane stepped up to take and sent Accies goalkeeper Gary Woods the wrong way to restore parity. 

Both sides had a go to try and find a winner but the only clear cut chance for either came in the dying embers when Hladky made a wonderful stop to push away Oakley's volley with Baird on the line to clear away Andreu's header after the Frenchman had Hladky beaten. 

Full Time: Hamilton 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (c), Popescu, Baird, Muzek, Erhahon, Lyons (S.McGinn 69), Flynn, Dreyer, Jackson (Cooke 84), Mullen (McAllister 59)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, Hodson, MacPherson

Hamilton: Woods, McGowan, McMann, Gordon, Kilgallon, Gogic, MacKinnon, Mimnaugh (Martin 67), Davies (Ogkmpoe 71), Oakley, Miller (Andreu 59)
Subs Not Used: Fulton, Sowah, Keatings, McMillan

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 3,096 (1,726 St Mirren fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren were beaten 2-0 at home to Ladbrokes Premiership leader Celtic.

Goals either side of half-time from Timothy Weah and Ryan Christie were enough to give the visitors all the points. 

Oran Kearney made six changes to the side that defeated Dundee on Saturday as Laurentiu Corbu, Anton Ferdinand, Cammy MacPherson, Stephen McGinn, Jim Kellermann and Cody Cooke coming in for Paul McGinn, Gary MacKenzie, Brad Lyons, Ryan Flynn, Anders Dreyer and Danny Mullen. 

Pre-match Saints gaffer Kearney told BBC how it was important to start the game well, but it was the hosts who started the brighter. They should have been ahead on 10 minutes when a Callum McGregor through ball found Kristoffer Ajer of all people. It was perhaps nosebleed territory for the Norwegian centre-half who sent his effort over. 

The Hoops took the lead just four minutes later. Mikael Lustig's shot spun up for Timothy Weah who headed off the cross bar. It was hard to tell whether it had crossed the line with Kearney questioning fourth official David Lowe, but the goal was given and Celtic led. 

Neil Lennon's side had a glorious opportunity to double that lead five minutes later when Oliver Burke was found in space inside the Saints box, but the forward somehow smashed wide from close range.

The visitors were on top and looked like they would double their advantage when Jim Kellermann was penalised for a handball after Emilio Izaguirre's cross into the box. Olivier Ntcham stepped up but his effort was blocked by Saints goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky before the rebound crashed off the bar and over.

Hladky, who was named as Saints' man of the match, had to be alert at the start of the second half after Oliver Burke had jinked by the Buddies defence to make his way into the box but the Czech goalkeeper made a good stop.

There were warning signs for Saints but the Buddies were still only 1-0 down and started to grow into the game almost finding ourselves level when Cody Cooke found space on the edge of the Celtic box and curled low towards the right corner. Scott Bain made a terrific save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Laurentiu Corbu, on his first St Mirren start, sent the ball in where Cooke headed on to the back post but Duckens Nazon couldn't force home.

Nazon really should have gotten Saints level when he found himself one-on-one with the Celtic goalkeeper just before the hour mark. Kellermann had been fouled by Scott Brown in the middle of the park and the Buddies were awarded a free kick. Mihai Popescu caught out the Celtic defence as he took it quick and found Nazon clear on goal. But as the Haitian striker broke into the box, he checked back and the ball was smothered by Bain who had rushed off his line.

Ryan Christie came on as a substitute for the visitors and twice went close to extending their lead. The first saw him denied by Hladky on 66 minutes before fizzing a shot from the edge of the box just over the bar eight minutes later.

It was Christie who sealed the points though with just five minutes to go. It was neat bit of play between the forward and McGregor before his effort deflected off Popescu from just inside the box found its way past Hladky. 

Saints had a final chance to pull a goal back but substitute Paul McGinn's shot was cleared off the line. 

Up next for the Buddies is Hamilton on Saturday at the Hope CBD Stadium.

Full Time: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic

St Mirren: Hladky, Corbu, Baird, Ferdinand, Popescu, Muzek, S.McGinn (c) (Lyons 64), MacPherson, Kellermann (P.McGinn 76), Cooke, Nazon (Jackson 71)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, McAllister, Dreyer, Mullen

Celtic: Bain, Lustig (Benkovic 70), Ajer, Simunovic, Izaguirre, Brown (c), Ntcham (Christie 63), McGregor, Forrest, Weah (Edouard 78), Burke
Subs Not Used: De Vries, Toljan, Sinclair, Rogic

#SMFCMOM - Vaclav Hladky

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie 
Fourth Official: David Lowe

Attendance: 6,597

Some speccsy football saw Saints off the bottom of the Premiership as they defeated nearest rivals Dundee.

After 30 seconds such an outcome looked about as likely as Theresa May winning a parliamentary vote as the visitors charged into the lead, Ethan Robson scoring from John O'Sullivan's cross to the delight of the large travelling support.

It could have been two when Andrew Nelson shot wide before Saints equalised out of nothing, Danny Mullen getting just enough on Duckens Nazon's delivery to divert it past Seny Dieng.

The winner arrived just after the hour mark, Anders Dreyer nodding the ball back across goal for Brad Lyons to head home, the midfielder's celebrations giving him the chance to have the last laugh at those who had mocked his glasses when he arrived on loan from Blackburn.

Nazon, Mullen and Dreyer were back in the team at the expense of Simeon Jackson, Cammy MacPherson and Kyle McAllister. The other change was a surprise as Gary MacKenzie returned in place of the suspended Ethan Erhahon. It was the big defender's first game of the season – although you wouldn't have known from the quality of his performance.

However, his hopes of a clean sheet on his return were gone in 30 seconds. Dundee's initial attack was cleared back out as far as O'Sullivan and his fine low cross was swept home by Robson. It was a dream start for the visitors and it nearly got even better as Nelson Nelson danced through the Saints defence before firing narrowly wide.

A Saints equaliser was looking pretty unlikely – and yet that's what happened soon after. Dreyer looked to have held on to the ball for too long before he laid it off to Nazon, whose cross was clinically finished off by Mullen, the striker delighted to bag his first goal since his opening day double against the same opposition.

Although Saints were looking more settled, it was the visitors who were creating the better chances as Martin Woods dragged his shot wide before Vaclav Hladky rushed out to block Craig Curran's shot after he'd been played in by O'Sullivan. The on-loan Blackpool man was causing the Saints defence all sorts of problems and nearly caught out Hladky when his cross threatened to dip under his crossbar, the goalie palming it away for a corner.

There hadn't been much action at the other end but a few chances started to come Saints' way just before the break, Mullen's blushes being spared by the offside flag after he could only swing at Jack Baird's knock down. Nazon teed up Lyons from 20 yards but he failed to find the target before Dreyer saw his shot blocked as the visitors failed to deal with a free-kick.

Hladky did well to turn away a curling effort from Nelson early in the second half before Saints too the lead. Mihai Popescu found Dreyer with a tremendous ball into the box and the winger unselfishly headed it back across for the onrushing Lyons to nod past Dieng for his first Buddies goal.

He tried for his second with a long range free-kick that Dieng was always gathering and tested him again with 10 minutes left, the keeper doing well to parry his low drive into the air, Dreyer heading the rebound over. Dundee had offered little since falling behind and finally threatened with five minutes to go, Hladky comfortably saving Nelson's shot. The impressive Mullen was then replaced by Cody Cooke and he very nearly marked his arrival with a goal, seeing two attempts to force home a free-kick blocked by the Dundee defence.

Nerves were jangling as four minutes of stoppage time began, MacKenzie flinging himself in front of Nelson's fierce shot. The defending wasn't pretty or particularly organised, black and white shirts flying everywhere as players put their bodies on the line to block whatever was coming their way. However, it was effective as Hladky wasn't troubled and Saints saw the game out to pick up what could be a crucial three points.

Full Time: St Mirren 2-1 Dundee

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (c), Baird, Popescu, MacKenzie, Muzek, Flynn (S.McGinn 89), Lyons, Dreyer, Nazon (Jackson 56), Mullen (Cooke 87)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Corbu, Ferdinand, MacPherson

Dundee: Dieng, Ralph, Woods (c) (P.McGowan 78), Kusunga, O'Sullivan, Horsfield, R. McGowan, Robson, Wright (J.Curran 58), Nelson, C. Curran (Miller 73)
Subs Not Used: Parish, O'Dea, Dales, Moore

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Fourth Official: David Munro

Attendance: 6,733 

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

It was a night of frustration for St Mirren as we fell to a narrow 1-0 loss away to St Johnstone. 

The Buddies missed an early penalty and gave away a soft first-half goal before being reduced to 10 men as the home side took all three points.

The visitors started brightly though goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was forced into an early terrific save to push over Chris Kane's volley from the edge of the box.

Jason Kerr nudged Brad Lyons as the Northern Irishman burst into the box. Simeon Jackson was the man to take but his attempted chip didn't have enough on it and was blocked by the legs of returning St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.

St Mirren's frustration with the missed penalty would only grow as St Johnstone took the lead five minutes later. The Buddies were the architects of their own downfall with Mateo Muzek attempted header back to Hladky too short allowing Chris Kane to nip in and slot past the goalkeeper. 

It seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors until late in the first half where twice half chances were created. Cammy MacPherson picked out Simeon Jackson in the box with a nice ball in, but the striker was quickly crowded out by the St Johnstone defence. 

Then, just before half-time, Jackson had a curling effort deflected into the arms of Clark in what was a fairly routine save for the St Johnstone goalkeeper.

The travelling Saints fans were making incredible noise as they tried to rally the team at the start of the second half and Oran Kearney's men were having the better of the match after the interval. 

Duckens Nazon replaced Ryan Flynn on 55 minutes and the Haitian striker looked bright as St Mirren chased an equaliser. 

With an hour on the clock Kyle McAllister saw an shot from the edge of the area take a nick off a St Johnstone defender and fly past the right hand post. From the resultant corner Paul McGinn headed wide.

St Johnstone had a big chance to kill the game with 15 minutes to go when a terrific through ball from Ross Callachan found Murray Davidson in acres of space inside the box. But the midfielder's touch was too heavy and cleared by the Buddies for a corner. Cammy MacPherson was in the right place at the right time as he managed to clear the ball off the line after Liam Craig's corner was knocked goalward. 

The Buddies broke forward and had a penalty appeal turned down when Simeon Jackson went down under the challenge of Joe Shaughnessy. Referee Steven McLean said no and Saints had to settle for a corner. Substitute Anders Dreyer sent the ball in and it was pinball inside the box before Nazon managed to find Mihai Popescu on the edge of the area. But the Romanian defender was leaning back as he smashed over.

With only a few minutes remaining, St Mirren were reduced to 10 men when Ethan Erhahon was given his marching order for a late tackle. It compounded what was a frustrating night of the Paisley Saints who face 11th place Dundee on Saturday at the Simple Digital Arena. 

Full Time: St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (c), Popescu, Baird, Muzek, Erhahon, MacPherson, Flynn (Nazon 55), Lyons, McAllister (Dreyer 66), Jackson
Subs Not Used: Wilson, Corbu, Ferdinand, MacKenzie, Cooke

St Johnstone: Clark, Shaughnessy (c), Gordon, Kerr, Foster, Tanser, Craig, Callachan, Davidson, Kennedy (Watt 68), Kane
Subs Not Used: Bell, Swanson, Comrie, O'Halloran, Goss, Northcott

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks
Fourth Official: Alan Muir

It was late disappointment for Saints as Kilmarnock snatched victory in the dying minutes at the Simple Digital Arena last night.

In what was a fairly even game in which the Buddies would have felt worthy of a point, Kilmarnock took all three as Liam Millar got a toe on the end of an Eamonn Brophy ball across the box with three minutes of normal time remaining. 

The match was played in wet and windy conditions - similar to those experienced in the win over Livingston a little over a week ago. And like that match, it made it difficult for both sides to play football.

St Mirren started brightly enough with Kyle McAllister flashing a wicked left foot volley from the edge of the area just by the post with only two minutes on the clock.

Kilmarnock's Chris Burke tried to take advantage of the wild conditions when he had a go from range on 15 minutes, but Saints goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was equal to it. 

10 minutes later, a neat through ball from McAllister found Simeon Jackson who raced towards goal. But under pressure from ex-Saint Kirk Broadfoot, the striker shot straight at Daniel Bachmann. 

The visitors best opportunity of the first half came just a minute before the interval. Burke was bodychecked by Ethan Erhahon as he charged forward and referee Don Robertson awarded Killie a free-kick 22 yards from the St Mirren goal. Brophy stepped up but fizzed over.

Kilmarnock came out strongly after the interval, and despite Erhahon testing Bachmann on 47 minutes, it was Steve Clarke's side that went close twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Burke skimmed a shot wide from long-range before Brophy smacked the post. 

The game was very end-to-end with 20 minutes remaining and that was evidenced by both sides having the chance to break the deadlock on 72 minutes. Broadfoot rose the highest to meet a free-kick into the Saints box but Hladky gathered. The Czech goalkeeper quickly released the ball to McAllister who drove into the Kilmarnock half. He checked inside and found Jackson in good space, but the striker waited for the ball to fall to his feet allowing Stuart Findlay to slide in and deny the forward's effort.

Five minutes later Duckens Nazon had a go from 20 yards but his low shot was straight at Bachmann. Killie tried to get forward at speed right after with Stephen O'Donnell's long-range drive deflected just wide.

Jackson was denied his sixth St Mirren goal on 83 minutes when Bachmann made a great stop to tip away the striker's flick from Paul McGinn's cross.

With the game ebbing away it looked like Saints would gain the point that would lift us off the bottom of the league. But with only three minutes remaining Burke fed the ball down the right to Brophy. The striker sent the ball across the box where it found the unmarked Liam Millar who slid in to tap home from close range to take all three points.  

Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Kilmarnock

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Popescu, Baird, Muzek, Erhahon, MacPherson (Nazon 65), Flynn, Lyons, McAllister, Jackson
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, MacKenzie, Corbu, Dreyer, Mullen

Kilmarnock: Bachmann, O'Donnell, Findlay, Broadfoot, Taylor, Burke, Dicker, McKenzie (McAleny 79), Power, Jones (Millar 79), Brophy (Tshibola 89)
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Millen, Water, Boyd

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Fourth Official: William Collum

Attendance: 4,458

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

A game that appeared to be petering out into an instantly forgettable draw could instead end up proving to be a pivotal moment in Saints' season as they snatched a late win over Livingston.

With barely a minute left, Simeon Jackson saw his shot parried by Liam Kelly. The ball sat up invitingly for anyone running in and Ryan Flynn did just that, taking what seemed like an age – although was probably only a couple of seconds – to compose himself before smashing the ball home.

It proved to be the winner in a game that was played in horrendous wind and rain, which may explain why chances were at a premium. Chris Erskine wasted Livi's best first half chance as he blazed over the bar while at the other end Kelly denied Duckens Nazon. The second half wasn't a great deal better, Craig Halkett curling a free-kick over for the visitors and Flynn testing Kelly the pick of the few highlights before the late drama.

Jackson once again found himself on the bench as Nazon was picked in the Saints attack, Anders Dreyer and captain Stephen McGinn returning as Kyle McAllister and the suspended Greg Tansey the pair dropping out. Former Buddies Ross Stewart, Gregg Wylde and Ryan Hardie were on the bench for the visitors who handed a first start to Ciaron Brown and were also able to name Raffa de Vita on the bench for the first time this season.

With the wind blowing down the pitch towards the away end, it was little surprise that Livingston chose to shoot towards their own fans. It made it hard for Saints to get out of their own half as every time they kicked the ball forward it came straight back at them. When Mihai Popescu fouled Steven Lawless just outside the Buddies box it gave Livi a chance to use the conditions to their advantage, although how much the wind had to do with Vaclav Hladky failing to hold Keaghan Jacobs' free-kick is hard to tell. Whatever, the ball sat up invitingly for Erskine but, with the Saints keeper on the deck, he could only blast over the bar.

The wind and rain was making it difficult for both teams, Lawless flashing a shot wide before Saints threatened for the first time, Duckens Nazon volleying over from Paul McGinn's cross. It marked the start of the first real spell of pressure from the hosts, a corner and a free-kick causing problems in the Livi box before Ethan Erhahon sent Nazon in behind the visiting defence only for his shot to be turned behind by Kelly.

Saints seemed to have got to grips with the weather but had a couple of close calls just before the break. After Mateo Muzek cheaply gave the ball away, Livi were able to work it to Craig Sibbald at the back post, his header being punched away by Hladky. Then, on the stroke of half-time, a Livingston corner was only cleared as far as Sibbald at the edge of the box but the midfielder drilled his shot off target.

Despite now playing into the wind, the visitors were first to threaten in the second half as Erskine shot well wide. After Nazon was fouled by Steve Lawson, Cammy MacPherson decided to to use the wind and have a go with the long-range free-kick but it bounced wide of the Livi goal. After that brief flurry, chances continued to be at a premium but one came the way of Jack Baird when a corner from McAllister – who had replaced Dreyer – bounced his way but the big defender failed to connect with the ball.

Livi were dealt a blow when Lawson had to go off injured after being clattered by Stephen McGinn just outside the box. The free-kick was in a great position and Halkett was unlucky to see his attempt go just over the bar, a few Livi fans at the other end of the ground briefly thinking he'd found the net. Saints were next to go close, McAllister playing in Flynn whose drive stung the palms of Kelly, the rebound bouncing off the head of Jackson and going behind before the sub had had a chance to react. The same player was squeezed out as Saints threatened again before Paul McGinn saw his low shot saved by Kelly.

With the rain and wind at their strongest, few people would have complained if the officials had decided to call it quits at that point and not bother with the last five minutes. Of course they didn't, which turned out to be a good thing from a Saints point of view. In the final few seconds of normal time Jackson – who had replaced Nazon – got the better of two Livingston players before having a go from the edge of the box. Kelly wasn't able to hold his shot and Flynn rushed in to thump it into the net. 

Oran Kearney's men had four minutes of stoppage time to see out but they did it comfortably, a Hardie shot that Hladky comfortably saved the only real danger.

It seemed appropriate that as the full-time whistle went the rain stopped and the sun came out to mark Saints' first league win of 2019 – a victory that moves them to within a point of Dundee with just 10 games of the Premiership season to go.

Full Time: St Mirren 1-0 Livingston

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, Popescu, Muzek, Erhahon, MacPherson (Mullen 82), S.McGinn, Flynn, Dreyer (McAllister 57), Nazon (Jackson 62)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, MacKenzie, Ferdinand, Corbu

Livingston: Kelly, Gallagher, Halkett, Lithgow, Brown, Lawson (Odoffin 67), Pittman (Robinson 56), Sibbald (Hardie 54), Jacobs, Lawless, Erskine
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Wylde, De Vita, Tiffoney

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Assistant Referee: Ivan Stankovic
Fourth Official: David Dickinson

Attendance: 4,014

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Saints picked up another good point on the road as we drew 1-1 with Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon. 

The Buddies were good value for the point as we closed the gap on Dundee and Hamilton to four points.

It was almost a dream start to the match for Oran Kearney's men with Greg Tansey going close to opening the scoring with a little over 60 seconds on the clock. A half-hearted penalty shout was denied by referee Don Robertson when Duckens Nazon went down in the box. The ball found its way to Kyle McAllister on the right who did brilliantly to beat his man but looked like he was being impeded. Again, nothing was given but the winger was strong enough to force the ball across the box where Tansey ran on to it outside the area and smashed just by the right-hand post. 

But it wasn't just Saints who were determined to start the game well. Just a few minutes after Tansey's early chance, Buddies goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky had to be alert to save from Steven Naismith after the veteran forward found space inside the box. 

Saints had another great chance on 10 minutes after winning a corner kick. McAllister's low ball in somehow found its way to the back post to meet an unmarked Paul McGinn who scuffed a volley wide. 

Both sides had half-chances before the half hour mark with Nazon curling over from 20 yards and Christophe Berra heading straight at Hladky.

The Buddies players felt they should have had a penalty on 25 minutes when Nazon was felled right on the edge of the area. The players argued the challenge had happened inside the box, but Don Robertson was adamant the foul had taken place just outside the area and a free kick was awarded. Cammy MacPherson went across to take from a tight angle and fizzed over. 

Nazon had a great chance to put St Mirren in front on 31 minutes after being found by Paul McGinn inside the box but the Haitian striker fluffed his lines as he tried to get the shot away. 

Two minutes later Hladky was the hero for Saints after a stramash in the box making a number of saves - the pick of them being to deny Berra what looked a certain opener. 

Saints should have taken a lead into the half-time interval when McAllister passed up a great opportunity. After wonderfully timed challenge by Tansey on Sean Clare inside the St Mirren box following a Hearts corner, McAllister nipped in ahead Berra to steal the ball off the Jambos captain near the halfway line. The tricky winger turned the afterburners on as he burst forward and broke into the box. However, he somehow put the ball wide from just inside the area when he looked poised to smash it into the far corner of the net.

The home side started the second half the stronger and opened the scoring 10 minutes after the interval. It was Clevid Dikamona who rose the highest from a corner kick to nod beyond Hladky. 

It was a bitter blow after an impressive first half performance, but Saints refused to let heads drop and had an appeal for a penalty waved away just after the hour mark when they claimed a Nazon shot was blocked by a Hearts hand.

The Buddies kept at it and found themselves level on 66 minutes. A corner in came off the head of Hearts midfielder Sean Clare and went beyond Zlamal to make it 1-1.

And how close one nearly became two for Saints almost immediately after the equaliser. A dangerous low ball from the right from McGinn was ready to be tapped home from close range by Simeon Jackson. But Jambos defender Dikamona got a toe on it which turned the ball goalward. Zlamal had to be at full stretch to push away the deflection as it headed towards the top corner of the net. 

Both sides created half chances as the game ebbed away, but in the end had to settle for a point apiece. 

Full Time: Hearts 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, Popescu, Muzek, Erhahon, MacPherson, Tansey, Flynn, McAllister, (Dreyer 77) Nazon (Jackson 63)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, MacKenzie, Corbu, Cooke, Mullen

Hearts: Zlamal, Souttar, Haring (Bozanic 68), Berra, Dikamona (Morrison 75), Lee (MacLean 68), Clare, Djoum, Mulraney, Naismith, Ikpeazu
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Shaughnessy, Keena, Hickey

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Fourth Official: Bobby Madden 

Attendance: 16,705 (606 away fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography