A frustrating afternoon saw St Mirren take a point after a goalless draw with Arbroath at Gayfield Park in the opening match in Group D. 

A disappointing afternoon compounded when captain Mark O'Hara received a red card late in the match as Saints ended the game with 10 men before the hosts picked up the bonus point after triumphing 5-3 on penalties. 

Mikael Mandron was able to start after being given a 50/50 chance yesterday after a virus. Conor McMenamin, however, would miss out with the virus ruling him out of Tuesday night's pre-season win over Airdrieonians. Goalkeeper Peter Urminsky was given the nod between the sticks and he was called into action early on, making a save at his near post to deny Nikolay Todorov for the visitors. 

Roland Idowu had the ball in the net a few minutes later, but the offside flag had already been raised.

Saints were controlling possession and playing most of the game in Arbroath's half, but didn't create anything to trouble Arbroath goalkeeper Aidan McAdams. The best chance of the first 45 came nine minutes before the interval when James Scott should have given Saints the lead. The Arbroath defence couldn't fully clear a Jayden Richardson cross and that saw it fall for Scott, but the forward nodded over from close range. 

The restart saw Mandron have a header deflected wide, while Marcus Fraser made a brilliant challenge to block Findlay Marshall a few minutes later. 

The manager made three changes before the hour mark with Alex Iacovitti, Oisin Smyth and Jonah Ayunga introduced in place of Richardson, Killian Phillips and Scott as he tried to spark his team into life.

But it was Arbroath who passed up a massive opportunity to take the lead with a little over 10 minutes remaining when Todorov raced on to a ball over the top and beat the offside trap. The forward lifted the ball over the onrushing Urminsky, but put too much on it as it flew over the bar. 

Saints saw an appeal for a penalty turned down on 82 minutes when O'Hara went down in the box under a challenge from an Arbroath defender. Rather than point to the spot, referee Steven McLean brandished a yellow card for the Saints captain for what he perceived as simulation. 

With five minutes remaining, substitute Evan Mooney was agonisingly close to giving the Buddies a late lead. The 17-year-old just couldn't get his toe on Tanser's low cross with any sort of touch likely to have knocked it beyond McAdams in the Arbroath goal. 

Saints' frustration grew when O'Hara received his marching orders on 88 minutes after a foul in the middle of the park saw him pick up a second yellow card. 

Mark O'Hara walks off after receiving his second yellow (Image: Willie Vass)

Urminsky made a huge save at the death to take the game to penalties for a bonus point. Calum Gallagher found himself through on goal deep into stoppage time, but Urminsky stood tall to block.  

Arbroath were perfect from the spot and when Fraser Taylor saw his spot kick saved by McAdams, that allowed ex-Saint Gallagher to net the final penalty to secure the bonus point for the home side.

Full-Time: Arbroath 0-0 St Mirren (Arbroath win 5-3 on penalties for bonus point)

St Mirren: Urminsky, Fraser, Gogic, Tanser, Richardson (Iacovitti 59), Phillips (Smyth 59), O'Hara (c), John, Scott (Ayunga 59), Mandron (Mooney 74), Idowu (Taylor 74)
Subs Not Used: Mullen, King, Penman, Falconer

Arbroath: McAdams, Watson, Wilkie, Muirhead, O'Brien (c), Cochrane (Pettifer 55), Flynn, Stewart, Marshall, Dow (Reilly 69), Todorov (Gallagher 81)
Subs Not Used: Steele, Gold, Callachan, Pettigrew, Hickey-Fugaccia, Spalding

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Chris Rae
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford

Attendance: 1,636 (799 St Mirren supporters)

St Mirren ended their pre-season preparations with a comfortable victory away to Airdrieonians. 

Mikael Mandron's scored a brace with a goal in each half ensuring a 2-0 win for the Buddies ahead of our Premier Sports Cup campaign getting underway on Saturday.

Saints controlled the match from the outset and could have found the net sooner than our 15th minute opener. Roland Idowu passed up an early chance when he shot into the side-netting after the Airdrieonians goalkeeper Cade Melrose spilled Jayden Richardson's low cross. The Diamonds stopper was called into action three minutes later as he made a good save to push away Killian Phillips' strike from 20 yards. Scott Tanser's ball over the top found Declan John who came inside before playing the ball to James Scott inside the area. Scott took one touch to lay it off for Ireland international Phillips who saw his effort saved. 

The Buddies would go ahead on 15 minutes when Mandron got on the end of Marcus Fraser's low pass and reversed his shot beyond Melrose to break the deadlock. 

Mandron should have added his and Saints' second 10 minutes before the break. The forward was fouled in the area and he stepped up to the spot after referee Matthew MacDermid awarded a penalty. Mandron was denied from 12 yards though as Melrose went the right way and got two strong hands behind it to push away. 

Airdrieonians hadn't caused any real issues before Peter Urminsky was forced into a good save three minutes after the restart to deny Jamie Barjonas. 

Saints were still in control and came close to a second when Mandron saw a low effort saved by Melrose a minute later before Richardson fired over from close-range. The second goal would come when Mandron got himself between two opposition defenders and bulleted home John's terrific ball in from the left to see out pre-season with a win.

Competitive action gets underway on Saturday as Stephen Robinson's men go to Gayfield to face Arbroath in our Group D opener in the Premier Sports Cup.

Full-Time: Airdrieonians 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Urminsky, Fraser (c), Gogic, Tanser (Iacovitti 67), Richardson (Penman 67), Smyth, Phillips (O'Hara 67), John, Idowu, Mandron (Mooney 73), Scott (Taylor 67)
Subs Not Used: Mullen, Hutchison, Kenny, McEvoy, Falconer

Stephen Robinson Post-Airdrieonians

St Mirren rounded off their pre-season training camp in Spain with a win over English League Two side MK Dons. 

First-half goals from Roland Idowu and Alex Iacovitti saw Stephen Robinson's men run out 2-1 winners at the Pinatar Arena this morning. 

Alex Gogic was rested entirely, while Liam Donnelly and Declan John missed out with niggles as the manager took no chances in the pre-season stage. 

It took just over a minute for Saints to hit the front. Jonah Ayunga rode a challenge from an MK Dons defender and worked his way into the box before playing a ball across to Idowu. The Irishman stumbled under a challenge but retain the ball and composed himself to fire home his third goal of pre-season. 

The Buddies had a good chance to double that lead 10 minutes later when a wonderful through ball from Killian Phillips found Ayunga racing clear. But MK Dons goalkeeper Connal Trueman was quickly off his line and did well to block at the edge of the area. As it would happen, Ayunga would find the net. Unfortunately it was his own when he turned in a dangerous cross from Liam Kelly on 17 minutes as Dons drew level.

Saints should have retaken the lead four minutes later when a brilliant delivery from Mark O'Hara's corner found the head of Marcus Fraser, but the defender headed over from close-range. 

The Buddies would go back in front, however, just before the interval. O'Hara's cross-field pass found Conor McMenamin who burst forward before seeing his shot blocked, while also arguing he should have had a penalty for a tug. The ball would fall to Ayunga who saw his strike from the edge of the area deflected just over. Iacovitti would meet McMenamin's delivery from the resulting corner and he nodded home at the near post. 

Alex Iacovitti scored Saints' second

There were six changes for Saints at the break, while MK Dons changed their line-up for the second 45. 

The English side came close to drawing level on 51 minutes when Aaron Collins pounced upon a loose ball deep in the Saints half. Space opened up for the strike as he carried the ball forward, but he dragged it wide of the left-hand post. 

Four minutes later, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy wasn't far away when he came in from the left and fizzed a powerful drive just wide of the far post. 

There were more changes for Saints with 25 minutes to go with Academy players Billy Hutchison, Thomas Falconer and Evan Mooney joining Luke Kenny, Callum Penman and Fraser Taylor on the park. Another academy prospect, Carrick McEvoy, then entered on 78 minutes as a replacement for Scott Tanser. 

Saints would go on to see the game out in another worthwhile exercise for Stephen Robinson's men as the curtain closes on our trip to Spain.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 MK Dons

St Mirren: Urminsky (Mullen 46), Fraser (Kenny 65), Kenny (Smyth 46), Iacovitti (Hutchison 65), Richardson (Penman 46), Phillips (Taylor 46), O'Hara (c) (Mooney 65), Tanser (McEvoy 78), McMenamin (Falconer 65), Ayunga (Mandron 46), Idowu (Scott 46)

Stephen Robinson Post-MK Dons

Marcus Fraser Post-MK Dons

St Mirren drew 1-1 against a strong Hearts side in a closed-door training match at La Finca this evening.

Stephen Robinson’s men took an early lead when Evan Mooney opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Good pressing from Carrick McEvoy saw the Youth Academy graduate steal the ball from Beni Baningime in the middle of the park. Conor McMenamin raced on to it and fed it to Mikael Mandron who perfectly weighted pass found Mooney scuttling down the left. The 17-year-old cut in from the side and slammed beyond Zander Clark from 16 yards.

Saints thought they had a second just before the water break when Conor McMenamin netted, but he was denied by the offside flag.

Conor McMenamin thought he'd scored Saints' second

Hearts levelled a little over 10 minutes after the restart from the water break with Baningime's strike from 20 yards taking a deflection off Alex Gogic before finding the net.

Only Gogic remained from the first-half line-up as the manager took the opportunity to rotate the team and change shape. The Cypriot would eventually be replaced by Saints youth prospect Billy Hutchison on 72 minutes. That substitution came after Mooney had to return to action when Roland Idowu was take off as a precaution, while Callum Penman almost put Saints ahead for a second time with a low effort deflected just wide of the left-hand post.

Declan John was denied a few minutes after a water break when his free-kick was brilliantly touched over the bar by Hearts goalkeeper Ryan Fulton. Saints stopper Peter Urminsky made a terrific save himself to deny Hearts’ Claudio Braga. The goalkeeper made himself big to pull off an important block after Musa Drammeh had put the forward clear on goal.

Full-Time: Hearts 1-1 St Mirren

First-Half - St Mirren: Mullen, Gogic, Kenny, Iacovitti, Richardson, O’Hara (c), McEvoy, Falconer, McMenamin, Mandron, Mooney

Second Half - St Mirren: Urminsky, Fraser (c), Gogic (Hutchison 72), Tanser, Penman, Phillips, Smyth, Taylor, John, Idowu (Mooney 63), Scott

St Mirren kicked off their preparations for the new season with a dominant victory away to Dumbarton.

James Scott's late goal, as well as Roland Idowu's second-half double, added to a first-half header from Mikael Mandron to give Saints a 4-0 win away to the League Two side. 

Stephen Robinson played two teams in each half with only goalkeeper Peter Urminsky playing in both halves. The manager started new signings Jayden Richardson and Liam Donnelly, who was listed as a trialist as we await SFA clearance, while St Mirren Youth Academy players Billy Hutchison, Fraser Taylor and Evan Mooney were also given starts. 

The Buddies controlled throughout the 90 minutes but it would take until 37 minutes before the deadlock was broken when Mandron headed home from close range. However, Saints had numerous chances to take the lead before that goal would arrive. Last season's player of the year, Killian Phillips, was the first to come close after a lovely bit of play from the Buddies on 12 minutes. Richardson won the ball deep in the Dumbarton half which allowed Mooney to run on to the ball before feeding to Mandron on the edge of the area. The forward found Taylor who teed it off for Phillips. The Irish international took it first time, but side-footed just over the bar. 

Mooney passed up a big chance two minutes later when Mandron's low cross from the left found the striker. The 17-year-old didn't quite get the connection he'd have hoped for and the effort clipped the top bar. 

Mandron almost scored three minutes before he would open the scoring. The striker headed Taylor's free-kick over from close range, but atoned for the miss when he nodded Phillips' cross in from point blank range to give us a lead heading into the interval. 

Mikael Mandron opens the scoring (Image: Paul Byars)

An entire change of outfield came at the break with Youth Academy graduates Callum Penman and Thomas Falconer among those introduced. The latter almost got himself on the scoresheet within the first minute of the restart, seeing a shot blocked after doing well to work his way into the box. 

Saints would add a second on 51 minutes through Idowu and he's not likely to score an easier goal. Captain Mark O'Hara sent Scott clear on goal and the forward, who could have taken it himself, unselfishly found Idowu alongside him and he knocked into the empty net. The Irishman's second, and our third, seven minutes later was more emphatic. He raced on to a pass from Oisin Smyth and lashed high into the net from inside the area. 

Roland Idowu netted a second-half brace (Image: Allan Picken)

Confidence high from his brace, the forward impressed the travelling support with his trickery and almost notched an assist when his work down the left saw him cut the ball back for Jonah Ayunga who just couldn't force home. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes, Scott saw a powerful strike well saved by ex-Saints Youth Academy goalkeeper Shay Kelly as he pushed the shot over. Falconer then had an effort blocked as the Buddies searched for a fourth. It was Falconer and Scott who would combine for the fourth and final goal. Falconer's cross with the outside of his foot was nodded home by Scott on 86 minutes as Saints got their pre-season up and running with a dominant win.

James Scott rounds off the scoring against Dumbarton (Image: Allan Picken)

Full-Time: Dumbarton 0-4 St Mirren 

First-Half - St Mirren: Urminsky, Fraser (c), Hutchison, Iacovitti, Richardson, Phillips, Donnelly (T), Taylor, John, Mandron, Mooney

Second-Half - St Mirren: Urminsky, Kenny, Gogic, Tanser, Penman, Smyth, O'Hara (c), Falconer, Scott, Idowu, Ayunga

Attendance: 1,357

Stephen Robinson applauds travelling support (Image: Paul Byars)

St Mirren ended season 2024/25 with a draw away to Celtic as James Forrest's injury-time goal cancelled out Jonah Ayunga's opener for Saints. 

The point wouldn't be enough to snatch that final European place following Dundee United's win over Aberdeen. 

Captain Mark O'Hara returned to the starting lineup in the only change from Wednesday night's draw against Hibernian with Roland Idowu dropping to the bench as Saints ended the campaign at Celtic Park for the second successive season. 

The hosts were on top in the opening 15 minute in terms of possession, but Saints looked threatening when they were able to get forward. Neither team could fashion a clear-cut chance, although Engles in-swinging corners were dangerous.

The first test for either goalkeeper came after 25 minutes. A well worked move ended up in head tennis inside the Celtic box, before Mikael Mandron’s tight-angled volley was comfortably caught by Kasper Schmeichel.

Hald-chances for Celtic came and went; McGregor’s shot was high and wayward, and crosses were dealt with by the defensive unit, which held strong. Ryan Alebiosu particularly dealt well with Premiership Player of the Year Maeda.

Saints took the lead six minutes after the restart. A wide free kick from Declan John wasn't dealt with by Liam Scales whose header would only fall as far as Jonah Ayunga who slammed beyond Schmeichel to score his second goal in the last three games. 

Following the goal, Celtic made a raft of changes with Luke McCowan, Hyunjun Yang and Forrest replacing Adam Idah, Paulo Bernardo and Nicolas Kuhn. The hosts would have lots of territorial and ball possession, but little in the way of shots. The shots they did have were blocked well by the Buddies backline.

Celtic should have found themselves level on 65 minutes when substitute Forrest swung the ball into the box and onto the head of Daizen Maeda who somehow headed over from just a few yards out.

Saints looked threatening on the counter with substitute Roland Idowu's ability to carry the ball well seeing him a danger. A searching cross from Scott Tanser found the Irishman in the Celtic box. He twisted and turned to fashion the space but could only fire into the arms of Schmeichel. 

The hosts ramped up the pressure heading into the closing stages and it was only some terrific goalkeeping from Zach Hemming that initially kept them at bay. The shot-stopper made a double save to deny Johnny Kenny after the forward had run clear of the Saints defence, before following up with a big stop from the resulting corner to push away Yang's overhead kick. 

But unfortunately Celtic would draw level in the fourth minute of added on time. Saints failed to clear their lines and that allowed Alastair Johnston to slide the ball through to the unmarked Forrest who slotted beyond Hemming to secure a share of the spoils for the Hoops on the day they lifted the William Hill Premiership title. 

For Saints, a point wasn't enough in the end to secure European football for a second successive season, but with 50 points on the board, and remaining unbeaten in the top six, there will be immense pride in what Stephen Robinson, his staff and players have achieved this campaign.

Full-Time: Celtic 1-1 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Alebiosu (Iacovitti 81), Phillips, Boyd-Munce (Kiltie 63), O'Hara (c), John (Tanser 68), Ayunga (Idowu 63), Mandron (Scott 81)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Smyth, McMenamin, Mooney

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Engels (Schlupp 80), Bernardo (Yang 54), McGregor, Kuhn (Forrest 54), Idah (McCowan 54), Maeda (Kenny 72)
Subs Not Used: Sinisalo, Trusty, Nawrocki, Ralston

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Ross Nelson
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart
VAR: Calum Scott

St Mirren's Euro hopes will go to the last day after Stephen Robinson's men fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Hibernian.

Two quickfire goals for the visitors in the first 10 minutes gave the Buddies an uphill challenge from the off. But Richard Taylor pulled a goal back in injury-time at the end of the first-half before substitute Conor McMenamin levelled in the second-half. Mikael Mandron scored a third for Saints but the goal was disallowed after the referee seemingly pulled it back for a foul earlier in the build-up.

The manager stuck with the same starting lineup that defeated United at Tannadice on Saturday, while Mark O'Hara came on to the bench after a hamstring injury ruled him out at the weekend. 

The visitors, knowing they could potentially seal third place, made a fast start and opening the scoring with just three minutes on the clock when Martin Boyle lashed beyond Zach Hemming at the near post. 

The Australian international scored again three minutes later, but an offside flag denied him an early brace with VAR confirming. But the Hibees would get their second on nine minutes when Mykola Kuharevich scored.

Boyle could have added his second and Hibernian's third when he raced down right-hand side, but Hemming was quickly off his line and smothered the attempt. 

After a tough start, Saints began to settle after the half-hour mark. A good cross from Ryan Alebiosu found Jonah Ayunga in the box but the forward's header was tame and gathered with ease by Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith. Two minutes later, Killian Phillips wasn't far away as he reacted to some pinball in the box, but flicked his effort over the bar. Saints almost saw the deficit halved when Lewis Miller made a meal of his attempted clearance of a Phillips cross, but it fell on the wrong side of the post.

The Buddies would pull a vital goal back on the stroke of half-time when Richard Taylor fired home via a deflection in the final minute of added time. 

The second-half didn't really spark into life until Saints made a triple substitution a little after the hour mark with the introduction of Scott Tanser, Mark O'Hara and McMenamin in place of Declan John, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Ayunga.

Saints levelled four minutes later when McMenamin got himself on the end of an Idowu cross to score his second goal in as many games. A lengthy VAR check for offside ensued, but the goal stood. 

The SMiSA Stadium was rocking and it exploded five minutes later when Mandron rolled home into an empty net as it looked like Saints had taken the lead. But referee Chris Graham pulled play back and awarded Hibernian a free-kick, much to the confusion of everyone in the stadium. 

It was all one way traffic as the Buddies look to grab a winner. Substitute Greg Kiltie almost made an instant impact when he forced an important save from Smith before McMenamin cracked the post in the final minute of normal time. 

While a tough trip to Celtic awaits on the final day, the Buddies will take the fight for that Euro spot until the end. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-2 Hibernian

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Taylor, Alebiosu, Boyd-Munce (O'Hara 61), Phillips, Idowu (Kiltie 82), John (Tanser 61), Ayunga (McMenamin 61), Mandron
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Iacovitti, Smyth, Scott, Mooney

Hibernian: Smith, Miller, Bushiri, Iredale, C.Cadden (O'Hora 84), Triantis, Levitt, Obita (N.Cadden 76), Boyle (c) (Gayle 84), Kuharevich (Bowie 61), Hoilett (Campbell 76)
Subs Not Used: Bursik, Ekpiteta, Manneh, Moriah-Welsh

Referee: Chris Graham
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
VAR: Don Robertson

Attendance: 7,671

St Mirren moved to within two points of Dundee United to keep their hopes of taking a European spot alive heading into the final week of the season. 

Goals from Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga either side of half-time saw Stephen Robinson's men earn a thoroughly deserved win 2-0 at Tannadice. 

There were two changes to the side that defeated Aberdeen as captain Mark O'Hara missed out due to a hamstring injury, while Oisin Smyth dropped to the bench. That saw Caolan Boyd-Munce and Roland Idowu come in from the start.

A bright start from Stephen Robinson's men saw Idowu's low cross find Killian Phillips in good space inside the box, but the midfielder's heavy touch saw it run out of play. Less than a minute later, Mikael Mandron came agonisingly close to giving us an early lead. Boyd-Munce worked the ball on and the striker had acres of space to have a go 25 yards from goal with his effort curling just wide of the left-hand post. 

Zach Hemming was then forced into action for the first on 10 minutes when he did well to block close-range strike from Ross Docherty. Idowu fired into the side-netting a minute afterwards as the game ebbed and flowed in the early stages. The end-to-end nature continued as Sam Dalby headed Glenn Middleton's cross over from six yards, while Richard Taylor did similar with an Idowu cross soon after. A lovely bit of interplay between Declan John and Phillips almost yielded an opener on 17 minutes. It ended with Ayunga getting a strike away with the shot saved by Jack Walton.

The game settled after a frantic start, but Saints would hit the front just after the half-hour mark. Phillips' persistence saw him win the ball down the right side and he fed the ball into Ayunga whose strength allowed him to find Albeiosu. The wing-back shuffled the ball to his left to find Mandron who curled low into the bottom corner from 20 yards to the delight of the 1,200+ travelling support. 

Saints should have doubled their lead when Ayunga raced clear on goal but sent his effort high over the bar. The offside flag was raised in any case but TV replays showed that the forward may have been onside. 

The home side made a quick start after the restart as they looked to restore parity. Dalby came close twice in the early stages of the second 45. He first sent a strike just wide of the far post on 48 minutes before forcing a save from Hemming two minutes later. 

The Buddies weathered that early United storm and almost added a second a few minutes before the hour mark. Alebiosu won the ball in his own half and drove forward before forcing a terrific low save from United goalkeeper Walton who got a strong hand to turn away the strike. 

Saints would add a second on 66 minutes when Ayunga got his name on the scoresheet. Idowu slid the ball on to the forward who has loads of space to run into. He danced by Emmanuel Adegboyega before firing low beyond Walton to double our lead. 

From that point on, the Buddies were in complete control and should have added more goals. Idowu lashed over with 15 minutes remaining after chopping in from the left, while Phillips should have scored from close range after Walton had saved substitute Greg Kiltie's initial effort. Alebiosu saw a strike deflected over while Ayunga had the ball in the net on 82 minutes but was flagged for offside. Walton saved again in injury-time to deny Kiltie, before the forward fired the follow-up wide. 

Full-Time: Dundee United 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Taylor (Iacovitti 72), Alebiosu, Boyd-Munce, Phillips, Idowu (Kiltie 76), John (Tanser 61), Ayunga, Mandron
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Bwomono, Smyth, McMenamin, Scott, Mooney

Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Sevelj, Gallagher, Adegboyega, Ferry, Docherty (Moult 70), Sibbald (Campbell 83), Middleton, Trapanovski (Paton 64), Dalby
Subs Not Used: Richards, Cleall-Harding, Fotheringham, Babunski, Fiorini, Van der Sande

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Fourth Official: Greg Soutar
VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 9,821

Saints kept their hopes of snatching the final European spot alive with a hard-fought win over Aberdeen in Paisley.

The only goal came on the hour mark, Mikael Mandron celebrating his new contract by controlling Mark O'Hara's free-kick on his chest before volleying past Dimitar Mitov.

The Dons had had Jeppe Okkels' first-half goal ruled out for handball and rarely threatened to draw level, in the end only some great saves from Mitov in stoppage time stopping Saints extending their winning margin.

There was one change to the Saints side which drew with Rangers, Oisin Smyth getting the nod in midfield over Caolan Boyd-Munce who dropped to the bench. Kevin Nisbet led the attack for the Dons with former Buddie Jamie McGrath having to make do with a place on the bench.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of early pressure, forcing a series of corners before Leighton Clarkson shot into the side netting. Saints threatened for the first time when a short corner routine forced Dimitar Mitov to palm away Oisin Smyth's delivery. Midway through the half a great cross from the right was volleyed home by Okkels to put Aberdeen in front, however the Saints players were adamant Nisbet had handled in the build-up. After a lengthy delay, referee Ross Hardie was eventually called to look at the monitor and decided to rule it out – much to the delight of the Paisley faithful.

That decision seemed to spur Saints on, a tremendous pass from Smyth finding Jonah Ayunga and he cut in before firing narrowly wide from 20 yards. Good work from Ryan Alebiosu then saw his cross knocked as far as Mark O'Hara, whose low shot was held by Mitov at the second attempt. The game had come to life following VAR's intervention, Shayden Morris' shot being deflected just wide before Mitov got down to save an effort from Mandron. A lovely touch from the Frenchman then gave him a sight of goal from the edge of the box but it was on his weaker foot and his shot trundled wide.

Mandron's attempted overhead kick earned him a somewhat harsh booking just after the break before Topi Keskinen dragged a shot wide for the visitors. As the hour mark approached Saints took the lead, O'Hara flighting a free-kick into the box that Mandron took on his chest before thumping a volley past Mitov. Once again there was a pause for a VAR check, this time for offside, but on this occasion the goal stood.

Zach Hemming had had a fairly quiet afternoon but needed to be alert to turn away a cross from sub McGrath that threatened to sail into the top corner. The keeper was then involved in a nasty looking clash with Nisbet that left both players needing treatment but thankfully both were able to continue.

Another sub, James Scott, had the chance to seal things in stoppage time from Mandron's cut-back but he shot straight at Mitov, although the flag then went up for an earlier offside. Great work from Roland Idowu on the break gave Scott another chance, this time it was blocked with VAR deciding there hadn't been a handball. Still Saints refused to settle for one goal, Idowu drawing a great save from Mitov in the final few seconds as the Buddies celebrated a first ever top six win at home.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Alebiosu, Phillips, Smyth (Boyd-Munce 67), O'Hara (c) (Scott 79), John, Mandron, Ayunga (Idowu 46) 
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Tanser, McMenamin, Kiltie, Oseni

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Dorrington (Gueye 83), Knoester, Shinnie (c), Clarkson (McGrath 55), Palaversa (Boyd 83), Okkels (Polvara 55), Morris, Keskinen (Dabbagh 66), Nisbet
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Mackenzie, Milne, Ambrose

Referee: Ross Hardie
Assistant Referee: Alastair Taylor
Assistant Referee: Ross Nelson
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson
VAR: Steven McLean

Attendance: 7,587

St Mirren came from behind twice to grab a share of the spoils against Rangers at The SMiSA Stadium.  

Captain Mark O'Hara drew the Buddies level just before the half-time interval after Cyriel Dessers had fired Rangers in front just a few minutes earlier. Nicolas Raskin put the Ibrox side ahead for a second time early in the second-half, but substitute Conor McMenamin equalised with a little over 15 minutes remaining to ensure a point remained in Paisley.

There was just one change from the side that defeated Ross County prior to the split with the now departed Toyosi Olusanya replaced by Mikael Mandron. 

Stephen Robinson's men got at Rangers from the off and could have opened the scoring early when O'Hara robbed the ball from John Souttar deep in the Rangers half. He drove into the box but got his attempted pass all wrong as he looked to find Mandron and that allowed the Gers defence to clear.

The visitors should have taken the lead on 13 minutes when a ball over the top found Dessers. The striker had stayed onside and found himself one-on-one with Zach Hemming, but somehow fired way over from close-range. 

Mandron then passed up a glorious opportunity to put Saints ahead just before the hour mark. Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly played the ball straight to the forward who sent his effort over the bar when it was looked like he was certain to make it 1-0. 

Rangers scored against the run of play three minutes before the break to go in-front. Dessers collected a pass from Raskin and shot low beyond Hemming from 20 yards. But the Buddies would draw themselves level just two minutes later when a Killian Phillips throw-in eventually fell to O'Hara to lash home. 

Mark O'Hara celebrates after his equaliser (Pic: Allan Picken)

Barry Ferguson's side took the lead for a second time seven minutes after the restart when Raskin fired home from the edge of the area. 

The Buddies made two changes on 63 minutes with the introduction of Roland Idowu and McMenamin in place of Caolan Boyd-Munce and Jonah Ayunga. Within a minute of the change, Idowu came agonisingly close to making it 2-2. Brilliant pressure from Phillips saw him steal the ball from Souttar and backheel into the path of Idowu who looked set to turn beyond Kelly only for the Gers stopper to save with his feet. 

It was the other substitute that would draw Stephen Robinson's side level after a great passage of play culminated in McMenamin sweeping home Declan John's low cross from close range. A lengthy VAR checked ensued for offside, but the goal would stand and Saints had equalised for a second time. 

Heading into six additional minutes of time at the end of the match, Rangers substitute Vaclav Cerny saw an effort pushed away by Hemming, while Owen Oseni could have won it in the dying seconds for Saints when he was found by Hemming but the striker couldn't find the target. 

It meant a point for the Buddies, who have taken seven from Rangers this season, in the first post-split fixture and moves us to within eight points of fifth place Dundee United. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Taylor, Alebiosu, Phillips, Boyd-Munce (Idowu 63), O'Hara (c), John (Tanser 80), Mandron (Oseni 90), Ayunga (McMenamin 63)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Iacovitti, Smyth, Kiltie, Scott

Rangers: Kelly, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Nsiala (Bajrami 87), Jefte, Raskin, Rice (Barron 85), Diomande, Igamane, Dessers (Cerny 76)
Subs Not Used: Butland, Cortes, Hagi, Curtis, McAllion, Danilo

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official: Matthew MacDermid
VAR: Grant Irvine

Attendance: 7,019