St Mirren picked up a valuable point at Pittodrie this afternoon following a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen. 

Oran Kearney's side twice took the lead with Duckens Nazon and Kyle McAllister on target either side of half-time, but the Buddies had to settle for just a point in the end.

Saints started brightly - winning a few corners in quick succession in the opening few minutes without being able to create from them. 

But from a corner on 19 minutes, Paul McGinn would win the penalty kick that got the opener. There was no arguing referee Craig Thomson's decision as McGinn was hauled to the ground by Sam Cosgrove who had wrapped both his arms around the stand-in captain. Duckens Nazon stepped up to squeeze the ball home into Joe Lewis' right hand corner. The Dons keeper went the right way, but couldn't deny the Haitian international his second goal for the Buddies. After a few ropey starts at Pittodrie in recent times it was the perfect way to get things underway. 

But nobody has to warn Saints of the danger the Dons pose at their home ground and they went in search of a quick equaliser. Buddies goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky was brave on 25 minutes to block an effort from Greg Stewart with his feet. The two players colliding and had to receive treatment in the aftermath but were able to continue.

Aberdeen continued to threaten and just after the half hour mark a dangerous looking Max Lowe ball into the box was only just turned behind by Jack Baird. Then initial corner was knocked out for another by Saints but Aberdeen would find themselves level from the second. The Dons took it short to Gary Mackay-Steven whose cross into the box was flicked on by Michael Devlin and nodded home by Lewis Ferguson at the back post. 

Buoyed, the home side should have taken the lead three minutes after their leveller. Greg Stewart picked out Niall McGinn in acres of space inside the Saints box, but the unmarked forward somehow skied it from just a few yards out when it looked like he might burst the net.

Aberdeen were on top at this stage but their momentum was halted after an injury Tommie Hoban as the game ebbed towards half-time. The defender went down under no challenge and was screaming in agony on the deck.

The Buddies nearly found themselves back in front almost immediately after the interval. There was less than two second half minutes gone when Kyle McAllister's cross picked out Brad Lyons who glanced his header just inches by the post with Joe Lewis scrambling across his goal-line. 

After having already made two changes at the break with Ethan Erhahon and Simeon Jackson replacing Mateo Muzek and Duckens Nazon, Saints were forced into a final change just before the hour mark when Anton Ferdinand was injured after putting his body on the line to block an Aberdeen attack.

St Mirren took the lead for a second time. The Buddies picked up on a loose ball from Aberdeen in the middle park and broke forward at speed. Brad Lyons found McAllister scuttling down the right wing. The 20 year-old winger drove into the box, cut in onto his left foot and smashed the ball into the far left corner to make it 2-1 to Saints.

The Buddies went in search of a third and would have felt aggrieved that the offside flag denied McAllister a chance to go one-on-one with Lewis despite the winger being onside. The third almost came a few short moments after that though when substitute Jackson got the better of Devlin on the left hand side. The Canadian striker worked his way into the box, wriggling away from Devlin and was so unlucky to knock the ball just wide from a tight angle. 

Saints would have to settle for just a point though when Aberdeen equalised with a little over 10 minutes to go. Saints goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky will have been disappointed he couldn't keep Cosgrove's low effort out as the striker swept home from a cross on the left.

Full Time: Aberdeen 2-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (c), Baird, Popescu, Ferdinand (Tansey 59), Muzek (Erhahon 46), MacPherson, Flynn, Lyons, McAllister, Nazon (Jackson 46)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Corbu, Mullen

Aberdeen: Lewis, Lowe (Wilson 64), Devlin, Considine, Hoban (Gleeson 45), Shinnie (c), N.McGinn (McLennan 78), Ferguson, Stewart, Mackay-Steven, Cosgrove
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Ball, Campbell, May

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Fourth Official: Mike Roncone

Attendance: 14,701

St Mirren were knocked out of the William Hill Scottish Cup after a 2-1 loss at home to Dundee United.

First half goals from Pavol Safranko and Nicky Clark did the damage despite Saints dominating the second 45.

The Buddies created the first opening of the game with Greg Tansey striking from the edge of the area. However, the midfielder's effort was routine for United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.

United took the lead on 15 minutes as the Saints defence failed to clear their lines follow two great stops from goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky. The Czech stopper blocked Nicky Clark's header and then Safranko's follow-up. But the Buddies could only get it clear as far as the edge of the box where Peter Pawlett had a go. Safranko stuck a toe on it to knock it beyond Hladky and give the visitors an early lead. 

The Tangerines were buoyed by their opener and took a firm grip on the game. Calum Butcher headed over from a corner not long after Safranko almost added his and United's second. Then, on 27 minutes, Hladky and Mateo Muzek did well to deny Pawlett and Ian Harkes from making it 2-0. 

Ex-Saint Cammy Smith had a go on 31 minutes after driving forward, but his long distance effort for easy for Hladky.

It was a first half to forget for Saints and any hopes of hanging on to just a one goal deficit heading into the interval were extinguished when Clark added a second for the visitors right on the stroke of half-time. A long ball over the top caught out the Buddies defence and allowed Clark to get in between Jack Baird and Mihai Popescu and the striker lifted the ball over Hladky to make it 2-0. 

Saints gave themselves it all to do in the second half but started brightly as they looked to find a way back into the match. Oran Kearney had brought on Kyle McAllister and Simeon Jackson in place Greg Tansey and Anders Dreyer. 

McAllister looked sharp and had a go two minutes into the second period only for the shot to be blocked. On 56 minutes the winger then floated a ball into the box for Jackson whose header from a tight angle was clawed away by Siegrist. 

After a positive start, Saints were given a boost when United were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark. Calum Butcher was given his marching orders after a poor challenge on Ryan Flynn at the centre circle. 

The Buddies almost had a goal back just a minute after the red when Popescu cracked a shot off the underside of the bar that had looked as if it may just had sneaked in. 

Brad Lyons and Jackson had curling attempts from inside the box as Saints desperately tried to find a way back into the match - both sent just wide. 

Then with 13 minutes to go St Mirren had the goal their second half play deserved. Duckens Nazon scored his first for the Buddies with a strike from the edge of the box deflected off the thigh of Pawlett on its way beyond Siegrist.  

Saints had United penned back for the remainder of the match, but try as they may just couldn't fashion the opportunity that would have levelled the scores and taken us to a replay at Tannadice. 

Full Time: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee United

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (c), Popescu, Baird, Muzek, MacPherson (Erhahon 81), Flynn, Tansey (McAllister 46), Lyons, Dreyer (Jackson 46), Nazon
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Corbu, Mullen

Dundee United: Siegrist, Reynolds, Connolly, Butcher, Robson, Seaman, Harkes, Smith (Sow 63), Pawlett, Safranko, Clark (Gomis 65)
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Frans, McMullan, Fyvie, Nesbitt

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

Attendance: 3,965

St Mirren were edged out by Motherwell at the Simple Digital Arena this evening.

Well took an early lead thanks to a sensational goal from from in-form Jake Hastie. But the Buddies got themselves level through Paul McGinn late in the second half. However, just a few minutes later, the Steelmen grabbed all three points when Allan Campbell popped up with a header.

Saints were given an early warning when Curtis Main broke the offside trap to get in ahead of the St Mirren defence only to be foiled by a good save from Buddies goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky. 

But only two minutes later the visitors were ahead. There was only 10 minutes on the clock when Well went in front thanks to a stunning strike from Jake Hastie. The midfielder cut in from the right and rifled his effort from the edge of the area that cracked in off the bar. 

Oran Kearney reacted by making an early change of shape with Kyle McAllister coming on to replace Jack Baird.

Saints went from a 3-4-1-2 to a 4-4-2 and it almost immediately paid dividends. The Buddies had two great chances to level within the space of a minute. 

First, a break of the ball saw Anders Dreyer find a bit of space and the winger hit a snapshot toward goal with only a terrific Mark Gillespie save denying the Dane. 

Dreyer then turned provider a minute later with a neat piece of skill near the touchline allowing him to roll the ball across the box into the path of McAllister who blazed over. 

Saints had another few opportunities before the interval with Mihai Popescu heading into the arms of Gillespie on the half hour mark, while Brad Lyons also tested the goalkeeper from range on 44 minutes.

Motherwell could have doubled their advantage near the hour mark after a counter attack saw Hastie break into the box and cut ball across for Main. The striker got a toe to it as he tried to force home but Kyle McAllister managed to clear. 

Main went close again on two more occasions, flashing an effort just by the post from a tight angle before having another attempt deflected over the bar by Popescu. 

But with just over 15 minutes to go, Saints grabbed a leveller. A Dreyer corner was punched clear by Gillespie but only as far as the Danish winger. Dreyer pinged the ball in again where it met the head of Paul McGinn who glanced home to make it 1-1. 

However, the joy was short-lived for the Buddies with Motherwell regaining the lead four minutes later. Elliot Frear's pinpoint ball into the box was met by Allan Campbell who headed beyond Hladky to restore the Lanarkshire side's advantage and give them all three points.

Full Time: St Mirren 1-2 Motherwell

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Popescu, Baird (McAllister 22), Ferdinand, Muzek, S.McGinn (Tansey 60), Lyons, Dreyer, Nazon (Mullen 69), Jackson
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Corbu, Erhahon, Flynn

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait, Aldred, Campbell, Main, Aribayi (Frear 64), Grimshaw, Dunne, Gorrin (McHugh 61), Turnbull, Hastie (McCormack 82)
Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Hartley, Johnson, Scott

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Assistant Referee: Ross Haswell
Fourth Official: David Lowe

Attendance: 4,383

St Mirren were beaten 4-0 by Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon. 

The Light Blues were awarded FOUR penalties over the 90 minutes by referee Andrew Dallas - three of which left the Buddies frustrated.

Saints couldn't have wished for a worse start when referee Andrew Dallas pointed to the penalty spot after Ethan Erhahon felled Jermain Defoe inside the box with just two minutes on the clock. There were no arguments from St Mirren about the award and James Tavernier stroked home to give the home side an early lead.

To the Buddies' credit they responded well to the early setback and were having plenty of the ball. Brad Lyons almost put Anders Dreyer one-on-one with Allan McGregor, only for a well-timed Tavernier tackle denying the Dane. 

While Saints were on top when it came to possession, Rangers were threatening on the counter and almost doubled their lead on 12 minutes when a quick break forced Vaclav Hladky to turn behind a Ryan Kent effort from the edge of the area.

St Mirren had a couple of corners but couldn't capitalise from them with the nearest chance coming when Dreyer clipped a ball into the box to meet Simeon Jackson. But the forward headed over.

On 25 minutes Rangers were awarded a second penalty when Defoe went down inside the box with Paul McGinn in close proximity. Saints were incensed by the decision with Jack Baird booked for his remonstrations. Again it was Tavernier who stepped up, but this time the right-back smacked his effort off the post.

It would have felt like justice for the Buddies who continued to be well in the match heading towards half-time. However, all Oran Kearney's side had to show for it was a long range shot from Dreyer which drifted wide.

With 10 minutes to go until the break, Kent almost made it 2-0 when he curled the ball off the top of the cross bar from 18 yards. 

It was a slow start to the second half, but Saints had the first half chance when good work from Erhahon saw the 17 year-old get the ball into the box to meet the foot of Jackson who fired over. 

Nine minutes into the second half Rangers were awarded their third penalty of the afternoon. Like the second, it looked to be another harsh decision as the ball appeared to strike Tansey's hands outside the box. This time Tavernier made no mistake from 12 yards to double Gers' advantage. 

Following the second goal, Saints goalkeeper Hladky was kept busy making good stops to deny Defoe, Alfredo Morelos and then Daniel Candieas stretching Rangers lead further.

Remarkably, with 11 minutes of the game remaining, Andrew Dallas pointed to the spot for a FOURTH time. And, as with the previous two, the St Mirren players were left feeling aggrieved with suggestions the foul on Candieas took place outside the box. Despite the protests, Defoe stepped up to score his first goal at Ibrox and make it 3-0 to the home side.

With the game gone from St Mirren, Rangers added a fourth two minutes later when Ryan Kent finished beyond Hladky from inside the box. 

Full Time: Rangers 4-0 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn (Corbu 77), Baird, Popescu, Ferdinand, Erhahon (Muzek 72), S.McGinn, Tansey, Lyons, Dreyer, Jackson (Nazon 56)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Flynn, McAllister, Mullen

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Worrall, Katic, Barisic, McCrorie (Jack 54), Davis (Candieas 64) , Arfield, Kent, Morelos, Defoe (Lafferty 83)
Subs Not Used: Foderingham, Halliday, Coulibaly, Middleton

Referee: Andrew Dallas
Assistant Referee: Alistair Mather
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Graham Beaton

Attendance: 49,463

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren missed up a golden opportunity to move out of the bottom two as they lost to Hibs at the Simple Digital Arena.

The Buddies deservedly led at the break as Simeon Jackson clinically finished off a cross from Brad Lyons. Seconds after Kyle McAllister had a great chance to double the lead, Oli Shaw struck to draw Hibs level.

Ten minutes later a familiar face put Hibs in front, Darren McGregor reacting first to score from a corner. McAllister and Stephen McGinn both went close to restoring parity but just before the end another former Saint killed things off, Mallan stroking home Shaw's pass.

Mallan had an early chance to show his set-piece ability when he was fouled just outside the box by Stephen McGinn, the midfielder's free-kick hitting the wall and going behind for a corner that came to nothing. Jack Baird then did well to snuff out the threat of Daryl Horgan after a tremendous through ball by Ryan Gauld, David Gray heading over from the corner that followed. Stephen McGinn had been in the wars a bit but when a Saints free-kick was nodded back out of the box he decided to have a crack, unleashing a thunderbolt that was blocked.

Minutes later the Buddies took the lead. Lyons did well to evade McGregor to get to the byline and his fine low cross evaded the Hibs defence, Jackson rushing in to hammer it past Ofir Marciano for the Canadian international's first Saints goal at home. As the visitors tried to respond, Gray was booked for sliding in on Vaclav Hladky as the Saints keeper rushed out to gather a through ball. Mallan then tried his luck from his usual sort of range but the shot was always drifting well wide.

Jackson had as great chance to double his tally when Greg Tansey's free-kick was deflected into his path, the striker seeing his shot tipped away by Marciano. Jackson headed wide from Stephen McGinn's cross as Saints kept up the pressure, however they nearly conceded just before the break as Horgan pounced on a slack pass and set his sights on the bottom corner, Hladky doing well to tip his shot away before Florian Kamberi was flagged offside as he tried to pounce on the rebound.

Lyons and Jackson almost combined again in the early stages of the second half, Jackson just unable to get his head on Lyons' teasing cross. After Lyons sent a shot well over Hibs made what proved to be a pivotal change, a visibly limping Horgan being replaced by Shaw. Jackson pulled an effort wide before Tansey set up newboy Anders Dreyer at the edge of the box but he blazed his shot over.

Hibs had barely threatened since the break but Gauld almost drew them level as he nipped the ball away from a hesitant Stephen McGinn before drilling a shot wide from 20 yards. It seemed to provide some hope for the visiting fans behind the goal and their side began to put Saints under real pressure for the first time, Hladky turning Marvin Bartley's shot behind for a corner. From that the Buddies broke and McAllister passed up a golden chance to put the hosts two in front. As shouts for a foul fell on deaf ears, Marciano scuffed a clearance off the winger who then managed to get the better of the keeper. With the goal gaping, McAllister delayed his shot just enough for the grounded Marciano to narrow the angle and when he did get his strike away it was trundling off target before Bartley hacked it away.

It was to prove costly as Hibs equalised immediately as Mallan slipped a fine ball through to Shaw and, the sub slotted it under the onrushing Hladky to bring the sides level. It was then down to a former Buddie to put the Hibees in front – but probably not the one you'd have expected. Kamberi's header at a corner was blocked by Paul McGinn but the ball sat up invitingly for McGregor, who showed the predatory instincts of a striker to stab it high into the net.

Saints were shaken but weren't going down without a fight. Ethan Erhahon's cross was nodded back into the mix and when Jackson's header was half-cleared, Stephen McGinn thumped it towards goal only for Marciano to save it and McGregor to clear away Jackson's follow-up McAllister was next to be denied, a corner being cleared as far as the winger whose fine shot was kept out by an even better save by Marciano.

Any hope of Oran Kearney's side salvaging something was wiped out a few minutes from time. Gray found Shaw with a fine ball and when he played it inside, Mallan stroked it into the bottom corner. The former Saint almost rubbed more salt into the wound in what little time remained as he flashed a shot just wide but the damage was already done, the Buddies somehow ending up with nothing from a game they looked perfectly placed to win.

Full Time: St Mirren 1-3 Hibernian

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, Popescu, Erhahon, S.McGinn, Dreyer, Tansey, Lyons, McAllister, Jackson
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, Flynn, Glover, Breadner, Jamieson

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray (c), Whittaker, Hanlon, McGregor, Bartley, Horgan (Shaw 50), Slivka, Gauld (Omeonga 76), Mallan (Mackie 90), Kamberi
Subs Not Used: Dabrowski, Nelom, Murray, Omeonga, Allan

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 5,650

St Mirren were beaten in their first league game of 2019 as we fell to a 4-0 loss to Celtic at Celtic Park.

Two goals in the space of six first half minutes from Oliver Burke and Scott Sinclair had the league leaders in control going into the interval before Burke and substitute Timothy Weah added goals in the second half. 

There was very little between the two sides in the opening 10 minutes, though the hosts were enjoying the lion's share of possession.

Celtic were awarded a free kick on 11 minutes when 17 year-old Ethan Erhahon tugged back James Forrest as the winger tried to burst down the right side. Ryan Christie whipped the free kick into the six yard box where Burke, who peeled away from his marker, met the ball with his head and guided towards goal. Vaclav Hladky got two hands on it but couldn't get enough on it to keep the ball out of the net.

A few minutes later, St Mirren were temporarily reduced to ten men when Lee Hodson came out the worst in a 50/50 with Ryan Christie. Jim Kellermann was primed to come on but before he could make his way on to the park Celtic were awarded a penalty. Stephen McGinn caught Scott Sinclair as the English winger drifted into the box from the left. It was Sinclair who stepped up and dispatched into the left hand corner of the net. 

Celtic could have made it 3-0 on 25 minutes when Mihai Popescu played the ball straight to Forrest. Forrest played it through to Burke who held the ball up before picking out an unmarked Callum McGregor. The midfielder drove into the box but somehow blasted over from close range. 

As half time approached Stephen McGinn sent an effort from outside the box into the arms of Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Celtic extended their lead 10 minutes in to the second half. Hladky had make a good double save to deny Forrest and then McGregor, but the Saints defence couldn't react to the danger and Burke was on hand to follow up to make it 3-0. 

Both sides made changes as the game wore on. Cody Cooke and Jim Kellermann, both of whom seemed to have picked up knocks, made way for Simeon Jackson and Kyle McAllister, while Timothy Weah and Ewan Henderson replaced Burke and Christie for the hosts. 

The substitution of Weah highlighted Celtic's strength in reserve and the young American almost made an immediate impact as he found himself one-on-one with Hladky, but the Czech goalkeeper produced a great save to turn the effort by the post.

Weah did add his name to the scoresheet though with less than five minutes remaining. He got on the end of a Ewan Henderson through pass and slid the ball low beyond Hladky to round off a difficult night for Saints.

Full Time: Celtic 4-0 St Mirren 

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, Popescu, Erhahon, Hodson (Kellermann 17, McAllister 72), Tansey, S.McGinn (c), Lyons, Flynn, Cooke (Jackson 59)
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand

Celtic: Bain, Lustig, Ajer, Benkovic, Izaguirre, Forrest, Brown, McGregor, Sinclair, Christie (Henderson 72), Burke (Weah 64)
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Simunovic, Bitton, Hayes, Johnston

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Fourth Official: Craig Thomson

Attendance: 54,821

A dramatic 20 minute spell saw Saints produce a dramatic fightback to knock Alloa out of the Scottish Cup.

It looked as if Buddies legend Jim Goodwin would come back to haunt his old club as his current side charged into a 2-0 goal lead at the Break, Alan Trouten and Kevin Cawley scoring either side of new boy Brad Lyons being dismissed for simulation.

And there was little sign of a Saints comeback until midway through the second half, Simeon Jackson's shot proving too hot for keeper Neil Parry and the alert Cody Cooke pounced to force the loose ball home.

Five minutes from the end the Buddies drew level as Kyle McAllister and Stephen McGinn combined to set Ethan Erhahon up for the equaliser. Before anyone could start thinking of a replay McAllister struck again, the winger curling a tremendous shot past Parry to break the part-time side's hearts.

The on-loan Derby man would have to for his return to action as he started on the bench along with fellow loanee Jordan Holmes. Lyons was in from the start as were fellow new signings Vaclav Hladky, Mihai Popescu and Greg Tansey joining him in the team. A gentleman's agreement meant former Buddies skipper Jim Goodwin was unable to include ex Saint Jordan Kirkpatrick in his Alloa team but there was a start in midfield for Jon Robertson.

Hladky was tested early on when he turned Connor Shields' effort round the post. Stephen McGinn and Jackson both dragged shots wide as Saints began to threaten, Lyons unlucky to see his header hit the bar from Tansey's corner. Hladky was in action again as he did well to palm away Cawley's drive. The visitors went close again moments later as Shields' cross made it through to Trouten at the back post and when he failed to connect properly, Jack Baird tried to clear it – the ball hitting off of Dario Zanatta before bouncing inches past the post.

It was end-to-end stuff, Tansey's shot from Jackson's cutback being deflected behind and Baird's header from Stephen McGinn's cross being beaten away by keeper Parry. Alloa went back on the attack and silenced the home crowd when they took the lead, Liam Dick finding Trouten with a great pass and he side-footed into the bottom corner.

If that was bad, things were about to get a lot worse for the Buddies. Lyons had already been booked for a foul on Andy Graham and when he went down under a challenge from the defender, ref Don Robertson felt the on-loan Blackburn man had dived and showed him a second yellow. It seemed somewhat harsh and Saints found themselves with a huge mountain to climb. Alloa looked to take advantage of their numerical advantage immediately, Robertson's 20-yarder being straight at Hladky. A few minutes later Cawley did rather better, the ball breaking to him at the edge of the box and he thundered it into the top corner, Saints' new goalie having absolutely no chance.

The playing numbers could have been levelled up when Zanatta escaped with just a booking for an elbow on Baird, Saints boss Oran Kearney then deciding enough was enough as he replaced Ryan Flynn with Cooke in a bid to turn the tide. The Wasps were still looking for a third before the break as Cawley headed over from Steven Hetherington's free-kick.

The early signs of the second half weren't particularly encouraging for the hosts, Shields blazing over from a decent position. McAllister was handed his second debut at the expense of Tansey. It initially made little difference, although a frustrated Popescu did hit a shot a few yards wide, the defender then doing well to snuff out danger from Zanatta at the other end.

Saints had barely threatened but with a quarter of the game left they were handed had a lifeline. Jackson tried his luck from range and when Parry failed to hold his shot, the alert Cooke nipped in to tuck the ball away and bag his first Buddies goal.

Suddenly there seemed some belief that Saints could dig themselves out of their rather large hole, although in pushing for an equaliser they left themselves somewhat exposed on the break. Zanatta had a great chance to restore Alloa's two goal lead as he wrong-footed Baird before rattling the post, the defender perhaps wary of putting in a tackle and risking being shown a second yellow.

There had been little for the home fans to get excited about after Cooke's goal but that was about to change in a dramatic final few minutes. McAllister was able to slide a pass through for Stephen McGinn and he squared the ball across goal for Ethan Erhahon to thump high into the roof of the net for both the equaliser and his first senior goal.

A replay now loomed but Saints – and in particular their skipper and McAllister – weren't finished yet, the delights of a midweek trip to Clackmannanshire clearly not that appealing. The celebrations for the equaliser had barely stopped before the Buddies support were on their feet again as McAllister passed to McGinn, who returned the ball with a perfect backheel and the winger barely broke stride as he curled a wonderful shot beyond the despairing grasp of Parry to complete an incredible turnaround.

There was still a few minutes to see out but the Buddies needn't have worried. Alloa were broken – if not physically then at least mentally – and there was little danger of them bagging an equaliser. It was harsh on the Championship side but all Saints will care about is being in the fifth round draw.

Full Time: St Mirren 3-2 Alloa Athletic

St Mirren: Hladky, P.McGinn, Baird, Popescu, Erhahon, Hodson, S.McGinn, Tansey (McAllister 56), Flynn (Cooke 38), Lyons, Jackson
Subs Not Used: Holmes, Ferdinand, MacPherson

Alloa: Parry, Taggart, Dick, Roscoe, Graham, Hetherington, Cawley, Robertson, Trouten (Brown 71), Zanatta, Shields (Aitchison 83)
Subs Not Used: Henry, Aloulou, Karadachki, Peggie

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Michael Banks

Attendance: 2,760

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren were edged out by Kilmarnock in the final game of 2018 as the Ayrshire side won 2-1 at Rugby Park.

Two quick goals from Stuart Findlay and Jordan Jones had Killie in control, but Simeon Jackson pulled one back for Saints. But the Buddies couldn't find an equaliser 

It was a disastrous start for Saints with the home side opening the scoring with just four minutes on the clock. Stuart Findlay got away from his marker to get on the end of a Chris Burke corner and head beyond Dean Lyness.

Kilmarnock doubled their lead on 11 minutes when Greg Stewart danced through the Saints defence and teed the ball off to Jordan Jones who swept home from close range. 

Killie kept on the offensive with Greg Taylor having a shot blocked and Stewart, causing the Buddies problems down the left side, teeing up Eamonn Brophy who fired over inside the opening 20 minutes.

But Saints managed to weather the storm and even pulled a goal back on 22 minutes. Adam Hammill's ball into the box from the right was met by Simeon Jackson who guided his header into the bottom corner.

St Mirren finished the half strongly and had a big chance to level just after the half hour mark after Cammy Smith robbed Findlay of the ball inside the Kilmarnock box. The forward laid the ball across the box into the path of Hammill who smashed over the bar. 

Very little was created by either side in the second half. Stephen O'Donnell smashed an effort off a Saints defender on 56 minutes, while Lee Hodson had a powerful effort drive blocked on the edge of the Kilmarnock box. 

Greg Stewart had the best chance of the second 45 when he drove through on goal but his effort was straight at Lyness. 

Oran Kearney made a change with just over five minutes remaining when Sam Jamieson came on for Cammy Smith. But the Buddies couldn't fashion any chances in the remainder of the game to take a point back to Paisley.

Full Time: Kilmarnock 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Lyness, P.McGinn, Baird, Jones, Ferdinand, Erhahon, Hodson, S.McGinn, Hammill, Smith (Jamieson 83), Jackson
Subs Not Used: Rogers, Flynn, Breadner, Kirkpatrick, Glover, McShane

Kilmarnock: Bachmann, O'Donnell (Millen 56), S.Boyd, Findlay, Taylor, Power, Dicker, Burke (McKenzie 83), Jones, Stewart, Brophy (Ndjoli 75)
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Waters, Tshibola, K.Boyd

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: Grant Irvine 

Attendance: 7,131 (1,002 St Mirren fans)

St Mirren's last home game of 2018 ended in heartbreak as St Johnstone grabbed all three points in the last minute.

After a forgettable first half, things livened up after the break with the Buddies threatening through Paul McGinn and Cammy Smith. However, the better chances fell to the Perth Saints with Buddies goalie Dean Lynnes doing well to deny Richard Foster.

When Chris Kane wasted a great chance to score for Tommy Wright's men it looked as if the points would be shared, but in the final few seconds Tony Watt popped up to score the only goal and give his side a late Christmas present.

Smith was back in the side at the expense of the injured Cody Cooke with Adam Hammill returning in place of Ryan Edwards. The Saintees had lost narrowly at home to Rangers on Sunday and made just one change, Danny Swanson coming into midfield in place of Ross Callachan.

The opening exchanges suggested we were in for a Christmas cracker as Hammill fizzed an early free-kick across goal before Watt headed wide at the other end. Another Hammill free-kick produced another chance as it was only knocked out as far as Smith, but his volley was easily held by Zander Clark. The visitors were then denied a penalty for Stephen McGinn's challenge on Murray Davidson, their frustration compounded by Davidson having to go off injured and Callachan replacing him after just 15 minutes.

After that the first half fizzled out, a few St Johnstone crosses causing problems in the home defence before the danger was eventually cleared. Just before the break, Hammill was involved in a charge forward but when he got his shot away it was well wide – the winger appealing in vain for a corner.

Simeon Jackson was just unable to get onto Lee Hodson's through ball thanks to the efforts of Joe Shaghnessy early in the second half before the Saintees passed up a good chance to take the lead. After regaining possession, Alfie Jones tried to hack the ball clear from the byline but instead kicked it straight to Callachan at the edge of the box, only for him to drill his shot wide. The midfielder went down rather easily inside the box a few minutes later, ref Kevin Clancy booking him for his dive.

The game was beginning to open up a bit more, Hodson lofting the ball into Clark's grasp with what seemed to between a shot and a cross from the on-loan Rangers man. Watt had another penalty appeal turned down before doing well to get the better of Anton Ferdinand only for his shot to be deflected across goal and behind.

It took the Buddies more than an hour to force a corner but it was almost worth the wait, Ethan Erhahon taking it short to Hammill whose cross was stabbed goalwards by Jones before being cleared. Paul McGinn and Smith both saw shots blocked as the Paisley Saints continued to push for the opener. However, Dean Lyness was the busier of the keepers as he tipped over Richard Foster's shot before comfortably saving Callachan's header.

The visitors were finishing the game more strongly and twice came close to going in front. Lyness did well to get something on Scott Tanser's fierce cross but the ball flew straight at Erhahon, bouncing off the youngster before thankfully going past the post. There was then another huge let-off when Jason Kerr knocked a free-kick down for sub Kane but he somehow shot wide from close range when it looked easier to score.

It was a warning and it was one that wasn't heeded as the Saintees snatched the winner with little more than 60 seconds left. David Wotherspoon found Tanser with a quick throw and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Watt to give the visitors all three points. It was harsh on Oran Kearney's side, who probably didn't do enough to win the game but definitely didn't deserve to end up with nothing.

St Mirren: Lyness, P.McGinn, Ferdinand, Baird, Jones, Erhahon, Hodson, S.McGinn, Smith (Flynn 75), Hammill, Jackson (Breadner 84)
Subs Not Used: Rogers, Kirkpatrick, McShane, Edwards, Jamieson

St Johnstone: Clark, Foster, Tanser, Shaughnessy, Kerr, Alston, Swanson (Wotherspoon 69), Craig, Davidson (Callachan 16), Kennedy (Kane 78), Watt
Subs Not Used: Hurst, Gordon, Anderson, McMillan

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Fourth Official: David Dickinson

Attendance: 4,891

St Mirren picked up their first away win since April as Simeon Jackson's second half goal gave the Buddies an important 1-0 victory at Fir Park.

Oran Kearney made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Aberdeen last weekend.

Paul McGinn returned from injury in place of Cameron MacPherson, while Cody Cooke made his first league start for Saints with Adam Hammill dropping to the bench. 

There wasn't much to write home about in an even first half where neither side created much.

A neat bit of play just after the half hour mark saw Stephen McGinn whip a tremendous ball out to the right to meet his brother Paul. Paul charged forward before sending a low cross into the arms of Mark Gillespie in the Motherwell goal.  

The best chance of the first 45 came two minutes later when Richard Tait's ball into the box met Curtis Main. The tall Englishman got on the end of it but sent a tame header into the welcoming arms of Dean Lyness. 

Saints started the second half brightly with Lee Hodson sending the ball wide to Ethan Erhahon who ploughed into acres of space on the left. The Motherwell defence failed to deal with his low ball into the box allowing it to fall to Simeon Jackson. But the striker failed to connect properly allowing it to trickle into the arms of Gillespie. 

Just 60 seconds later the home side had a good opportunity when Richard Tait picked out Danny Johnson inside the area. The striker took it first time but slammed over.

Oran Kearney made a couple of changes for the Buddies, with Cammy Smith and Adam Hammill entering the fray just before the hour mark.

Those changes coincided with Saints having their best spell of the game without really creating anything.

But they would soon be rewarded for their play on 68 minutes when Simeon Jackson opened the scoring.

Cammy Smith raced clear after a long ball forward and found himself one-on-one with Gillespie. The keeper saved Smith's effort but it fell kindly for Jackson who rolled into the empty net from just a few yards out.

Motherwell came at Saints as they looked for an equaliser - Lyness making good saves to deny Main and Turnbull either side of a Paul McGinn chance for St Mirren. 

There was time for late drama for both sides with Hammill almost grabbing Saints a second with just minutes to go. Then, with the game in the dying embers, Lyness made a top save to block a Motherwell header at the near post to help the Buddies on to all three points.

Full Time: Motherwell 0-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Lyness, P.McGinn, Ferdinand, Jones, Baird, Erhahon, Hodson, McGinn, Edwards (Smith 58), Cooke (Hammill 56), Jackson (Flynn 88)
Subs Not Used: Rogers, Breadner, McShane, Kirkpatrick

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait (Bowman 81), McHugh, Aldred, Campbell (Sammon 81), Main, Grimshaw, Dunne, Mbulu (Bigirimana 61), Johnson, Turnbull
Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Taylor-Sinclair, Frear, Rodriguez-Gorrin

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvaney
Assistant Referee: Andrew McWilliam
Fourth Official: Kevin Glancy

Attendance: 4,540 (678 St Mirren fans)

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography