St Mirren suffered just a third league of the season as they fell to a 2-1 loss away to Dundee United. 

A late wonder strike from Adam Eckersley wasn't enough to avoid defeat as goals from Mark Durnan and Sam Stanton gave the Tangerines all three points. 

United started the better of the two sides with Scott McDonald going close with just five minutes on the clock when he got on the end of a corner. But Saints goalkeeper Craig Samson gathered with ease. 

Scott Fraser would have been disappointed that he didn't open the scoring two minutes later after being expertly picked out by Matthew Smith in a good area inside the Buddies box. He looked set to knock the ball beyond Samson only for the ball to get caught up in his feet allowing the keeper to grab hold.

The home side would take the lead on 12 minutes through Mark Durnan. A freekick deep in St Mirren's half was fired into the box by Fraser, with Mark Durnan stooping low to flick a header into top of the Saints net. It looked as though Samson expected it to head over the bar, but to the Buddies disappointment it looped in to draw first blood for United. 

St Mirren could have found themselves level mere moments later when Cammy Smith picked out Magennis in the box. It was all set up for the midfielder to equalise but for a good block from Thomas Scobbie. 

Saints grew more and more into the game and had two great chances in the space to equalise before the break with Lewis Morgan dragging two shots from good positions wide.

Just as the game was heading towards the interval and vicious shot from Billy King almost saw United double their advantage with the effort fizzing just over the bar. 

Half Time: Dundee United 1-0 St Mirren

It was King who had the first real chance after the break with Samson making a good stop to deny the forward. 

Then, on the hour mark, a loose pass from Morgan searching for Jack Baird was pounced upon by Fraser who burst through the centre of Saints defence to break clear on goal. But his shot was clawed away by Samson to keep the score at 1-0. 

Saints had a number of set pieces opportunities in the second half but were failing to make any count with United keeper Harry Lewis having little to do. 

Dundee United thought they had made a set piece of their own count when a free kick launched into the Saints box was put into the net by Scobbie only to be denied by the offside flag.

The Tangerines were starting to turn the screw as they searched for a killer second with time ticking away. Samson did well to save from Fraser on 77 minutes, but two minutes later they'd have their all important second. Substitute Fraser Fyvie played a brilliant ball into the box where he found Scott Fraser, United's best player on the day, in acres of space. The midfielder took it down on his chest before rolling it into the path of Sam Stanton who slammed home to double their advantage. 

Saints grabbed a consolation deep into injury time when Adam Eckersley scored a goal of the season candidate with a wonderful volley from 25 yards out. The left back brought the ball down on his chest before lashing it over Harry Lewis and in off the underside of the cross bar. 

But coming on 94 minutes it was too little too late for Saints who remain top of the Ladbrokes Championship on goal difference. 

Full Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, McCart, Eckersley, McGinn, McShane, Morgan, C.Smith, Magennis (Sutton 63), Reilly (Hilson 72)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Stelios, Buchanan, MacPherson, Stewart

Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Durnan, Scobbie, Robson, Fraser, Flood, Stanton, King, M.Smith (Fyvie 69), McDonald (Keatings 83) 
Subs Not Used: Deniz, McMullan, N'Koyi, Edjenguele, Allardice

Referee: Greg Aitken 
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Ross Haswell

Attendance: 6,836

St Mirren had to settle for a point in a controversial Renfrewshire derby as Morton came from behind twice to draw 2-2. 

Ian McShane gave Saints a second half lead from the penalty spot before Andy Murdoch levelled almost immediately for the visitors. Gavin Reilly scored his 11th goal of the season to put the Buddies back in front on 72 minutes. But Morton equalised with just over 10 minutes to play when Gary Harkins scored the game's second penalty as both sides shared the spoils.

The visitors almost took an early lead when a mix up between Liam Smith and Jack Baird saw Jai Quitongo race through on goal. The striker tried to break away but was closely followed by Gregor Buchanan who did enough to put off him and take the sting out of his eventual shot which Craig Samson pushed wide.

Lewis Morgan went close twice in quick succession as Saints looked to take an early lead. Countering from a Morton corner, Stephen McGinn slipped a lovely through ball for Cammy Smith who rode the challenge of a Morton defender before picking out Morgan inside the area. The winger created a bit of space inside the box but the connection on the ball wasn't clean as the ball rolled just by the post. He did, however, go close four minutes later with a swerving shot on the edge of the box was well pushed over the bar by Derek Gaston.

The Buddies were on top and almost grabbed the lead when Gavin Reilly found himself in good space, rifling a shot just over the bar after the half hour mark.

The game hit a bit of a lull, but Andy Murdoch almost caught out Samson with a good hit from the edge of the box that was moving in the wind. The Saints keeper did well to push the powerful drive away as half time approached. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Morton

St Mirren started the second half brightly, winning a corner within the first minute of the restart. Then, two minutes later, Morton goalkeeper Gaston was forced into a terrific save by Lewis Morgan. The winger was found alone inside the box and rattled the ball towards the top corner with the keeper doing well to touch it over the bar. 

With around 25 minutes to play, Saints were awarded a penalty kick as Lewis Morgan was pulled down. Question marks surrounded whether the foul had taken place in or out of the box, but referee Steven McLean pointed to the penalty spot. The Buddies have made a bit of a habit of missing penalties over the last year or so, but made no mistake as Ian McShane sent Gaston the wrong way to draw first blood in the derby. 

But St Mirren wouldn't be allowed to enjoy the lead for long as the visitors got themselves level two minutes later. A ball in from the left was headed out the box where it met the oncoming Andy Murdoch who drilled it sweetly into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to make it 1-1.

The game had well and truly burst into life with Saints regaining the lead a little over three minutes later. Cammy Smith's searching ball into the box was swept home first time by Reilly for his 11th goal in the black and white of St Mirren. 

And Reilly almost wrapped the game up soon after when he clipped a shot just beyond the post as the Buddies searched for a third. 

But the derby day drama wasn't done there as Morton were awarded a penalty of their own with just over 10 minutes to go. Gregor Buchanan was judged to have brought down Ton defender Thomas O'Ware inside the box as a corner was swung in. Ex-Saint Gary Harkins stepped up and stroked the ball beyond Samson to make it 2-2. 

Saints looked to be denied a second penalty when Gavin Reilly was scythed down as he burst into the box. Remarkably, the referee booked the striker for simulation despite clear contact. 

In the end it was only a point for the Buddies who still remain two points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.

Full Time: St Mirren 2-2 Morton 

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Magennis (Stewart 61), C.Smith, Morgan, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Irvine, McCart, MacPherson, Hilson, Sutton

Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie. Doyle, Oliver, Forbes, Quitongo (McHugh 55), Harkins (Armour 88), Tiffoney (Thomson 75), Russell
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Langan, Barr, Hynes

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland

Attendance: 5,496

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren earned a hard-fought point away to Falkirk this afternoon as they drew 0-0 with the Bairns at The Falkirk Stadium.

Both sides had chances throughout the 90 minutes to get themselves a goal, but neither could make a breakthrough as they shared a point. 

The point keeps the Buddies top of the Ladbrokes Championship ahead of next weekend's Renfrewshire derby. 

It was Saints who created the first opening on ten minutes when Ian McShane slid the ball through to Cammy Smith inside the box after a neat passage of play from the Buddies. The forward took the ball in well and forced Falkirk goalkeeper Robbie Thomson into a good save from the angle. 

A smart corner routine ten minutes later saw McShane and Smith link up to create the next big chance of the match. McShane played it short to Smith who got beyond his man to the byline before cutting it across the box where he found Gavin Reilly. The striker, who scored his tenth goal of the season last weekend, couldn't get a clean connection on the ball as he clipped it just by the post. 

St Mirren had started well but the hosts gradually began to grow into the game during the first half. Nathan Austin should have given Bairns the lead on 34 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with Craig Samson. He burst into the box but somehow managed to rattle his effort into the side-net.

The striker almost had the chance to redeem himself a few moments later as Myles Hippolyte attempted to slip him in but Samson was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger. 

Austin had another huge opportunity to open the scoring five minutes before the interval. James Craigen played the ball deep to the back post where Austin met it with the header but nodded into the ground with the ball bouncing over the bar. 

Saints would end the half strongly and would have felt unlucky not to have nabbed the lead heading into the break. First, Lewis Morgan swung in a brilliant corner that was begging to be met by a player in the red and white of St Mirren, but no one was forthcoming. And then, two minutes later, the winger was denied from a stunning opener when his powerful effort from the edge of the box was brilliantly pushed wide by Thomson.

Half Time: Falkirk 0-0 St Mirren

Morgan had St Mirren's first chance of the second half when he came on to a lay-off from Gavin Reilly, but curled the ball over from 20 yards. 

Hippolyte, who was booked for pulling Morgan back in the first half, was penalised for a foul on Cammy Smith deep in the Falkirk half. The ball was swung into the box where Gregor Buchanan got on the end of it but flicked his header wide. 

A minute later both sides had good openings to take the lead. Reilly worked himself into a good position but his shot didn't have enough power in it as it was held by Thomson. Immediately from that shot Falkirk broke up the field with Hippolyte going mightily close as he cannoned an effort inches over the bar.

The last two chances to snatch a winner came from Cammy Smith who could count himself unlucky not to have scored with either. He picked the ball up in the centre of the park on 89 minutes and had a go from distance which whistled by the far post. Then, deep into stoppage time, a ball over the top from Adam Eckersley found the 22 year-old inside the box only from Thomson to come off his line quickly and block the shot. 

That was the last opportunity of the game for either side with Saints picking up a point ahead of next weekend's derby clash against Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Full Time: Falkirk 0-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Buchanan, Baird, Eckersley, McGinn (MacPherson 79), McShane, Morgan, Magennis (Sutton 51), C.Smith, Reilly (Kirkpatrick 74)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Stelios, McCart, Stewart

Falkirk: Thomson, McGhee, Muirhead, Balatoni, Grant, Harris (Dunne 59), McKee, Kerr, Craigen (O'Hara 82), Hippolyte, Austin (Miller 79)
Subs Not Used: Mutch, Gasparotto, Shepherd, Gallacher

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Greg Soutar

Attendance: 5,080

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren won away to Dumbarton for the first time since 1996 to end the first quarter of the season on top of the league. 

Goals from Gavin Reilly and John Sutton saw the Buddies win 2-0 and extend their lead at the top to three points. 

Saints looked in the mood from the off - almost taking the lead with less than two minutes gone. Adam Eckersley swung a ball in from the left to the far end of the box where it met Ross Stewart. The striker, making his first league start for St Mirren, had ex-Saints goalkeeper Scott Gallacher beaten only for experienced Sons defender Andy Dowie to head off the line. 

Dumbarton quickly broke up the field as they looked to grab an early opener, but Mark Stewart glanced his header wide. 

The match's frantic pace wasn't about to slow down with Stephen McGinn going close to breaking the deadlock on four minutes. A short corner routine found the captain in acres of space inside the box. He took a touch to compose himself before seeing his effort blocked by the feet of Gallacher. 

Both goalkeepers were made to work in the early exchanges with Craig Samson making a terrific save to deny Dimitris Froxylias. The Cypriot winger was found on the right before cutting inside and curling an effort towards the far post with Samson's fingertips clawing the ball wide. Froxylias went close again on 19 minutes when he curled a similar attempt by the post. 

Sandwiched between those Froxylias effort's, Gallacher had to be alert when a snap shot from Cammy Smith bounced in front of the keeper. He did well to push it wide before Jack Baird headed just by the post from the resultant corner. 

After an opening 20 minutes in which it was hard to catch breath the game hit a bit of a lull until 33 minutes when Gavin Reilly looked destined to open the scoring. He was slipped in by Cammy Smith but the slightest of touches from Gallacher sent his shot wide. 

Reilly wouldn't be denied though as he opened the scoring three minutes later. McGinn, who looked like he could have gotten a shot away from the edge of the box, sent a nice ball out to the left to Adam Eckersley. The left back chipped the ball into the path of Reilly who got ahead of the Dumbarton defence to nod beyond Gallacher to give Saints a deserved lead. It was the striker's 10th goal since joining from Hearts in the summer and gave the Buddies the advantage going into the break. 

Half Time: Dumbarton 0-1 St Mirren

The home side started the second half the better of the two as they attempted to get back into the match. 

Christian Nade picked out ex-Saints loanee Tom Walsh in a good position inside the box only for the winger to fire over. Mark Stewart then spurned a decent opportunity when he hit an effort straight at Craig Samson. Sons were then awarded a soft free kick when Froxylias went down, but the Cypriot swung the ball beyond the post. 

Ian McShane, who arguably had his best game in a St Mirren jersey, almost caught out Gallacher with a free kick. It was driven low with the goalkeeper spilling the ball and Dumbarton managing to get it clear. 

The hosts then had a succession of corner kicks as they looked to grab an equaliser on the hour mark. Twice, Craig Samson had to tip the ball over the bar before Saints eventually dealt with the pressure. 

Lewis Morgan, back from international duty with the Scotland U21s, almost grabbed the all important second for Saints when he drove forward and unleashed a hell of a shot from 25 yards out. It was a fierce effort which had to be pushed wide by Gallacher.

Saints would get that second goal on 70 minutes to give themselves a cushion. Substitute John Sutton rose above the Sons defence to bullet home his 45 goal in the black and white of St Mirren to all but seal the three points. That goal took the stuffing out of Dumbarton and effectively killed the game. 

There was a nice moment for Kyle Magennis as he made his return to first team action after injury in pre-season to a thunderous ovation from the Saints support. 

St Mirren saw the match out and ended the first set of fixtures this season with seven wins from nine while extending their lead at the top of the table. 

Full Time: Dumbarton 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, Morgan (Magennis 84), McShane, McGinn, C.Smith, R. Stewart (Sutton 55), Reilly (Stelios 87)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, MacPherson, Kirkpatrick, Duffy

Dumbarton: Gallacher, Wardrop, Dowie, Barr, McLaughlin, Froxylias, Wilson, Hutton, Walsh (Johnston 84), M.Stewart (Roy 75), Nade (Morrison 75)
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Gallagher, Prior

Referee: Alan Newlands
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: Scott Leslie

Attendance: 1,178

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren's hopes of emulating last season's run to the IRN-BRU Cup final were ended as they fell to defeat at the hands of Raith Rovers. 

Saints had dominated for the first hour or so and took a well deserved lead through Gavin Reilly. But goals from Lewis Vaughan, Greig Spence and Bobby Barr saw the Buddies knocked out by the League One side. 

Jack Ross made seven changes to the side that defeated Brechin last weekend. In came both Ross Stewarts, Gary Irvine, Adam Eckersley, Gregor Buchanan, Dale Hilson and 16 year-old Ethan Erhahon in place of Craig Samson, Liam Smith, McCart, Stephen McGinn, Jordan Kirkpatrick, Cammy Smith and Morgan. 

It was a quiet opening with neither side creating many chances in the first part of the match. The first real opportunity to open the scoring came for the visitors on 22 minutes and they really should have been ahead.

After a Jack Baird header was blocked from an Ian McShane corner, the visitors broke up the park and won their own corner when Barr's shot was deflected behind. It was swung in deep to the back post where it was met by the head of John Herron. His effort was palmed away by Ross Stewart but fell invitingly for Greig Spence who somehow stuck it over the bar from just a few yards out. 

Saints were having the best of the territory and their first big chance of the half came on 28 minutes when Dale Hilson unleashed a shot from 25 yards with strong hands from Graeme Smith pushing it away. 

The Buddies went close again with Smith doing well to deny Gary Irvine his first ever St Mirren goal on 36 minutes. The ball was laid off to the right back by Gavin Reilly and he cracked a fierce attempt from the edge of the area which the goalkeeper had to push over.

After a bit of a flat start the Buddies, who had been dominating possession, were beginning to look livelier and had another chance soon after. A deep corner found Ross Stewart at the back stick with the striker cracking the outside of the post. 

Gavin Reilly drew an excellent save from Raith keeper Smith a few minutes before half time. A neat exchange of passes saw the striker found inside the box with the visiting goalie getting his fingertips on it to push wide.

The crowd were urging the side on before half-time and the breakthrough goal almost came just before the half-time whistle. Jack Baird rose above the visiting defence to power a header off the bar. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Raith Rovers

Saints started the second half on top, forcing a number of corners but failing to make their dominance of possession count. The Buddies were pressuring the League One leaders with Gregor Buchanan and Ross Stewart both seeing efforts block from a corner before Stelios fired wide. 

But Saints would finally make the breakthrough on 63 minutes. Dale Hilson's neat ball across the face of goal was weighted beautifully for Reilly who tapped home from a few yards out to score his ninth goal of the season and give Saints a deserved lead.

But they couldn't make it count with Raith levelling less than a minute later thanks to a lovely strike from Lewis Vaughan on the edge of the box. 

Things got worse for Saints as the visitors took the lead nine minutes later through Spence. A nice ball into the box was met by an equally good cushioned header by Vaughan into the path of Spence who found himself in plenty of space to stab the ball beyond Ross Stewart to give the League One side the advantage. 

Saints misery was compounded on 81 minutes as Raith stretched their lead. Bobby Barr was picked out on the edge of the area and he curled it beautifully beyond Ross Stewart to give the visitors a two goal advantage. 

In the end Saints couldn't muster anything to get themselves back into the match and defeat sees the Buddies fall out of the competition at the last 16 stage while ending their record breaking run of form at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Full Time: St Mirren 1-3 Raith Rovers

St Mirren: Stewart, Baird, Buchanan (C.Smith 75), Eckersley, Irvine (MacPherson 56), McShane, Erhahon, Stelios, Hilson, Stewart, Reilly (Duffy 75)
Subs Not Used: Samson, McGinn, Kirkpatrick, Sutton

Raith Rovers: G. Smith, Thomson, Herron, Murray, Watson, Spence (Court 90), Berry, Vaughan, Barr, Matthews, McKay
Subs Not Used: Brian, Opoku-Berchie, Valentine, J.Smith, Stevenson, Bell

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Jordon Stokoe
Assistant Referee: Kylie Cockburn
Fourth Official: Mike Roncone

Attendance: 1,970

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren returned to the top of the Ladbrokes Championship with a hard fought 2-1 win over Brechin City.

The Buddies extended their winning run at the Paisley 2021 Stadium to eight matches as goals from Cammy Smith and Dale Hilson helped see off the stuffy Angus side. 

Jordan Kirkpatrick, making his first league start for the Buddies, registered the first real chance on goal when his low effort on 10 minutes was deflected out for a corner.

A neat bit of play nearly yielded the opener 13 minutes in when a terrific cross-field pass from Ian McShane found Liam Smith galloping up the right side. He swung in a tremendous ball that found Stephen McGinn but the captain's touch was heavy, denying himself a chance to get a shot away. He turned back and found Lewis Morgan who had a go from the edge of the area. His shot was deflected into the path of Cammy Smith whose low effort was held by the Brechin goalkeeper.

Just a minute later though the Buddies were ahead. A nice ball over the top from McGinn was met by Cammy Smith who side-footed the ball beyond Graeme Smith to draw first blood. 

Saints may have taken the lead but struggled to find their groove. Connor McLennan sent two shots wide for the visitors while Stelios and Morgan had efforts blocked and saved. 

Brechin were level seven minutes before half time through ex-Saint Kalvin Orsi. The striker, who left the Buddies in the summer, stooped down to meet a deep cross from Jordan Sinclair to nod beyond Craig Samson. 

Saints reacted well to going behind with Stelios charging forward, the ball eventually finding Lewis Morgan whose shot was sent by for a corner. Jack Baird climbed above the City defence to get on the end of it but headed over.

Half Time: St Mirren 1-1 Brechin City

Even after the break, the Buddies failed to reach the levels that supporters have become accustomed too over recent times at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. But the home side could have restored their lead early into the second half when a searching ball from McGinn almost found Stelios on his own inside the box.  

Saints were piling forward in the hopes of getting back in front, but had to be wary of the threat Brechin were posing on the break. Another ex-Saint, Ally Love, sent an effort just by the post before Liam Smith had to clear a McLennan shot off the line. 

Jack Ross made his final sub on 76 minutes when John Sutton replaced Gavin Reilly. St Mirren were trying to ramp things up in the search of a winner and it looked certain that birthday boy Morgan would add to his tally for the season when he was found in space inside the box. The winger lashed a fierce shot goal-bound with Graeme Smith showing strong hands to push it away. 

It looked like it was just set to be one of those days for Saints. But then, just a few moments after Morgan's chance, St Mirren had a winner. A clearance from Liam Smith found Cammy Smith on the half way line. He drove forward before sending a reverse ball through to substitute Ross Stewart who burst into the box. He raced to the touchline before clipping the ball onto the head of Sutton. The experienced striker got in ahead of his man to flick the ball into the path of Dale Hilson. The winger gambling to get in ahead of the Brechin defence, getting a toe to the ball to slide it into the back of the net for his first St Mirren goal.

With Dundee United defeating Dunfermline at East End Park, the win means St Mirren return to the top of the Ladbrokes Championship with a meeting against League One leaders Raith Rovers in the IRN-BRU Cup to come next week. 

Full Time: St Mirren 2-1 Brechin City 

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, McCart, Stelios (Hilson 67), McGinn, McShane, C. Smith, Kirkpatrick (Stewart 52), Morgan, Reilly (Sutton 76)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Buchanan, Duffy, Sutton

Brechin: G. Smith, McLean, Dyer, McGeever, Dale, Graham, Spark, McLennan (Layne 84), Orsi (Love 63), Crighton, Sinclair (Watt 77)
Subs Not Used: P. O'Neill, Fusco, C.O'Neill

Referee: Gavin Duncan
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvany
Assistant Referee: Chris McTiernan

Attendance: 3,928

St Mirren got back to winning ways with a seventh home win in a row after picking up all three points against Queen of the South at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The Buddies move back up to second in the league, a single point behind leaders Dunfermline after the 3-1 victory over the Doonhamers.

However, Saints were made to work for it with Queens starting the early proceedings brightly.

The visitors got a fortunate break of the ball that almost allowed Stephen Dobbie a tap-in on six minutes. Then, on eight minutes, Derek Lyle was denied by the offside flag. Dobbie had gone on an unchallenged solo run into the box and cut the ball across the face of goal to his veteran strike partner Lyle who slid the ball home. But to the Buddies relief the linesman quickly raised his flag to rule it out. Craig Samson had to be alert a couple of minutes later as he held a low drive from Lyndon Dykes.

Saints started to grow more into the match and took the lead on 25 minutes. A ball swung in from Liam Smith came off Gavin Reilly and landed nicely at the feet of Cammy Smith. It's one that Queens goalkeeper Alan Martin will want to forget as Smith's took a touch to create space before firing a low effort that squirmed through the goalkeepers hands.

Liam Smith's was involved in the second goal as well just a few minutes later. His ball from the right was knocked into path of Lewis Morgan via a deflection and the Scotland U21 international struck it with real venom from the edge of the area across the face of the goalkeeper to double Saints advantage. It was a stunning hit from a player who is in top form as it skited across the wet surface and into the back of the net. 

The Buddies were two to the good and had a firm grip on the match. Morgan could have had a second on 38 minutes after Josh Todd found him just outside the area. The winger broke into the box and attempted to squeeze the ball in at the near post but it was gathered by Martin.

Queens didn't pose Saints many problems for the remainder of the first half with a Lyle header easily gathered by Samson the closest they came to getting a goal back before the break.

Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Queen of the South

Saints were dealt an early blow in the second half as Josh Todd went down injured as he appeared to dislocate his shoulder for a second time in a few short months. It was a disappointing moment for the side and for the player who had been playing well on his first start of the season. 

But the Buddies wouldn't let that affect them as they added a third less than ten minutes after the break. A short corner routine saw Ian McShane work the ball to Cammy Smith who played it to Morgan and back to McShane. McShane then returned it to Morgan who took one touch before driving it low beyond Martin from 25 yards to grab his second of the afternoon. 

Despite being three goals down, Queens seemed determined to find a way back into the match. A long range effort from Dobbie almost caught out Samson, with the keeper doing well in the wet conditions to push it wide on the hour mark. 

The visitors would indeed pull a goal back when a Jason Kerr header on 64 minutes looped over Samson. 

The Doonhamers grew in confidence and continued to try to reduce the deficit. The experienced Dobbie went close with a free kick that was deflected just by the left hand post less than 10 minutes later. Samson made a good save to deny Callum Fordyce who struck his effort well. 

In the end Saints managed to see the game out fairly comfortably as they returned to second in the table ahead of next weekend's match against Brechin.

Full Time: St Mirren 3-1 Queen of the South

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, McCart, Stelios (Irvine 88), McGinn, McShane, C.Smith, Todd (Stewart 47), Morgan, Reilly (Kirkpatrick 73)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Hilson, Duffy, Sutton

Queen of the South: Martin, Rooney, Marshall, Fordyce, Brownlie (Tapping 63), Rankin, Jacobs, Kerr, Dykes (Kane 63) , Dobbie, Lyle (McFadden 73)
Subs Not Used: Leighfield, Stirling, Murray, Mercer

Referee: Barry Cook
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: Craig Napier

Attendance: 3,023

It was a day to forget for St Mirren as Dunfermline inflicted a first defeat in six for the Saints after running out 3-0 winners at East End Park.

First half goals from Declan McManus and David Hopkirk had Allan Johnston's men comfortable going into the break with captain Callum Morris wrapping the game up in the second half to send the Pars back to the top of the table. Saints misery was compounded in the final few minutes when Adam Eckersley and Gregor Buchanan both saw red.

However, it could have been a different game if St Mirren could have capitalised on a good start to the match. The Buddies almost got off to a flier with just two minutes on the clock when a clearance by Gregor Buchanan was played on by Cammy Smith to Gavin Reilly. The striker had out-muscled Callum Morris to break forward and race into the box, but he stuck his effort just beyond Sean Murdoch's far post.

Lewis Morgan, who was St Mirren's best player throughout, showed some fancy footwork to beat several Dunfermline players on his way to the box. He didn't catch the shot right and it looked to be skewing well wide when it was deflected back into his path. But on the second attempt he flashed the ball over the bar. 

The hosts had scored before the first 15 minutes in their previous four league matches in a row. It took them a little longer to do so, but not much when they drew first blood on 20 minutes. A ball across the field was headed on by Kallum Higginbotham. He found his target in Declan McManus, who broke through the St Mirren defence, hitting a shot into the ground with it bouncing beyond Craig Samson to put the Pars ahead.

Buoyed by that goal, the home side would take a firm grip on the match. McManus could have doubled Dunfermline's lead less than two minutes after his opener when he broke the offside trap and raced clear. But just as he made his way into the box Eckersley and Buchanan came across to close him out and deny him the chance to get a shot away.

The Pars passed up a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 on 25 minutes when David Hopkirk sent a shot by the post. Ironically it had come from a good chance for Saints to get themselves back into the game when a fizzing low cross from Stelios was turned behind for a Saints corner by Callum Morris. Ian McShane worked the corner short where it ended up at the feet of captain Stephen McGinn. The skipper was robbed of the ball just outside the Dunfermline box by Higginbotham who charged forward before playing it across the box to Hopkirk in acres of space. The substitute had all the time in the world to pick his spot, but somehow managed to stick it wide when he looked destined to score. 

Higginbotham was the man that was making Dunfermline tick. From a corner he sent across a neat low driven ball into the path of Lee Ashcroft who flicked a foot at it with Samson doing well to turn it over the bar. 

Saints grew in stature after these warning signs to have their best spell in the match. Reilly managed to escape from his marker to make his way into the box before cutting the ball across the face of goal. Stelios tried in vain to get on the end of it, but it was turned behind for a corner by Ryan Williamson. The short corner was eventually flung in to the back post by Ian McShane with Saints skipper McGinn there to get a touch only for it to be blocked and cleared away. 

A strong finish to the half may have given Saints spirit to kick on in the second half, searching for a goal to get themselves level. But they were caught out just before the break with Dunfermline doubling their lead on 45 minutes. The ball was worked to Hopkirk on the edge of the box and he made it 2-0 to the Pars just before half time with a nice curling finish into the top corner. 

Half Time: Dunfermline 2-0 St Mirren

Jack Ross responded to the first half performance by making a half time substitute. John Sutton was on to replace Stelios and he was the first man to go close in the second half. The striker rose above the Dunfermline defence to head a Morgan corner over the bar.

Saints had strong appeals for a penalty when, on 54 minutes, Reilly charged on to block from McGinn and appeared to be felled in the box. Referee Craig Thomson was unmoved despite protests from the St Mirren players.

And just two minutes after that penalty appeal was denied, Dunfermline wrapped the game up with a third goal. Pars captain Callum Morris rose the highest to head home a corner kick

It was game over, though Saints still tried to pull a goal back - winning a succession of corners, the closest of which saw McGinn fire a shot just wide. 

The Buddies' day would go from bad to worse when Adam Eckersley received a red card on 87 minutes before Gregor Buchanan was given his marching order for a second bookable offence a minute later.

Full Time: Dunfermline 3-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, Stelios (Sutton 45), Buchanan, Baird, Eckersley, L.Smith, McGinn, McShane, Morgan, C.Smith (Todd 79), Reilly (Stewart 75)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Kirkpatrick, Duffy, Sutton

Dunfermline: Murdoch, Williamson, Talbot, Morris, Ashcroft, Wedderburn, Higginbotham (Splaine 82) , McManus, Shiels, Cardle (Hopkirk 18), Clark
Subs Not Used: Gill, Martin, Aird, Ryan, Smith

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Steven Strang

Attendance: 6628

St Mirren have gone top of the Ladbrokes Championship after coming out on top in a pulsating match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 

Five goals in an incredible 13 minute spell in the second half saw the Buddies run out 4-2 winners at the Paisley 2021 Stadium to move above Dunfermline and Queen of the South into first place. 

Lewis Morgan gave Saints the lead heading into half-time before a quite unbelievable 13 minutes of play saw Caley Thistle level, Saints take the lead again, Caley Thistle equalise for a second time and St Mirren score twice more to seal a huge victory.

It could have been a different afternoon had John Baird's early strike counted. Iain Vigurs bursting forward inside the first minute found Riccardo Calder in acres of space on the left hand side. The winger drove on before sending the ball across the face of goal to striker Baird who knocked it home from just a few yards out. But just as he wheeled away to celebrate he was met by the linesman's offside flag.

The Buddies grew into the match and almost went ahead on 15 minutes through captain Stephen McGinn. Ian McShane's short corner was worked towards McGinn who jinxed one way and then another before having a go from the edge of the box. The skipper wasn't far away with ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Ridgers doing well to palm the ball over the bar. 

Saints were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty on the 20 minute mark when Gregor Buchanan went down under the challenge of Brad McKay. Referee Willie Collum, who awarded Morton two penalties when the Buddies played them last month, awarded St Mirren a corner only. From the resultant corner Jack Baird nodded wide. 

St Mirren took the lead just after the half hour mark after an excellent counter. McGinn took the ball by two Inverness players just inside his own box before feeding the ball to Gavin Reilly. The striker played a wonderful first time pass to Lewis Morgan who sped forward. Morgan cut into the box, shifting the ball to his left foot and deceiving Ridgers with the low effort that went under the goalkeepers legs with the aid of a deflection off Brad McKay. 

It was first blood Saints who were almost two to the good just a few moments later when Morgan again broke at speed. He moved into the box and fired an effort towards the far right corner only for Ridgers to do brilliantly well to flick it by the post. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-0 Inverness CT

The away side started the second half the brighter of the two sides with three good chances to equalise inside the first five minutes.

First, Liam Polworth send one just wide of the post after slack play from Jack Baird in the centre of the park. The defender's touch was heavy at the half way line and conceded possession to away side who broke forward. Polworth was picked out on the left hand side before sending his shot just wide of Samson's right hand post. 

A few moments later it was John Baird's turn with his effort from the right going just by the post also, before ex-Saint Alex Cooper nodded wide.  

The visitors were level though after a manic minute on the hour mark. Polworth should have scored when he found himself one-on-one with Samson only for the keeper to make a good block with his feet. Saints countered quickly with Cammy Smith sending a shot over the bar after picking up the ball following Ridgers' save from Morgan. It really was a terrific chance for St Mirren to double their lead, but they would rue that miss when John Baird levelled from Caley's own counter. Polworth slotted the ball through to Baird who broke through the Buddies defence to coolly slot the ball beyond Samson. 

That manic minute foreshadowed what was to be the most incredible 10 minutes or so of football. 

Just two minutes after the Caley Jags had gotten themselves on level terms, the Buddies were back in front. McShane twisted and turned to beat Charlie Trafford before standing up a cross to the back post. Gregor Buchanan rose the highest to nod the ball down which Ridgers failed to gather. Just as it looked to creep over the line Gavin Reilly made sure, putting Saints ahead for the second time. 

But Inverness were level again three minutes later when Polworth turned from provider to scorer. The midfielder had got in front of the defence and ran through on goal before rounding Samson and sending the ball into the empty net. The offside flag was raised, only for Willie Collum to deem that the ball had taken a nick of a Saints player on its way through to the midfielder meaning the goal 

St Mirren showed brilliant character after that setback though and looked to go in front for a third time as quickly as possible. And they almost did less than a minute after Caley's second equaliser when Morgan burst through and cracked the post with a powerful drive. 

Saints wouldn't be waiting too long for that third goal as Cammy Smith scored his fifth goal of the season on 73 minutes. Reilly had an effort blocked on the edge of the box with the ball falling invitingly for Smith. The forward didn't need a second invitation to drill the ball beyond Ridgers. 

And there would be no let up from the Buddies as McShane curled home his second St Mirren goal from 18 yards just a minute later to give Saints a two goal cushion. 

That would be that as Saints closed out the game for a record sixth home win in a row at the Paisley 2021 Stadium to end the evening top of the pile.

Full Time: St Mirren 4-2 Inverness CT

St Mirren: Samson, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, Irvine, McGinn, McShane, Stelios (Kirkpatrick 85), Morgan (Duffy 90), C.Smith (Todd 87), Reilly
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Whyte, Stewart, Sutton,

Inverness: Ridgers, Raven, Chalmers, Warren, McKay, Polworth, Vigurs, Calder (Bell 56), Trafford, Cooper, Baird
Subs Not Used: Esson, Tremarco, Elsdon, Oakley, Mulraney, Donaldson

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill
Assistant Referee: Mark McHendry

Attendance: 3,610

St Mirren made it five home wins in a row for the first time since they moved into the Paisley 2021 Stadium as they defeated Hearts Colts in the IRN-BRU Cup.  

Gavin Reilly scored either side of half-time to put Saints in firmly in control before Rory Currie snatched a late goal for the young Jambos. Substitute John Sutton put the game to bed just a few moments later to secure St Mirren's place in Tuesday's third round draw. 

The Buddies got off to a flying start with ex-Hearts man Reilly opening the scoring on eight minutes. It was a fine finish from the ex-Hearts man as he curled the ball beautifully beyond Kelby Mason from the edge of box after a neat passage of play.   

Saints were on top and could have had a second when debutant Dale Hilson found Conor O'Keefe in space on the left side. The young winger, making his first Saints start, steadied himself for the shot before hitting it straight into the arms of Mason. 

The Hearts goalkeeper did well to deny Reilly in similar circumstances not long after, holding the striker's low drive on 20 minutes. 

It was then the turn of Saints keeper Ross Stewart to be put to work as he tipped Hearts skipper Angus Beith's powerful effort from outside the box over the bar. 

In truth though, that Beith chance aside, the Buddies dominated the first half and Reilly will feel he should have had his second before he did. On 33 minutes, Hilson did brilliantly well to pull down Gregor Buchanan's cross-field pass and keep it in play on the left touchline. He raced into the box, seeing an attempt from the angle blocked by Mason. The ball fell invitingly for Reilly with it ready to be passed into the back of the net, but he somehow managed to put it over. 

A quick move just before half time could have almost got Hearts level heading into the break. Currie played the ball to Callum Morrison who whipped a dangerous looking ball into the Saints box with Lewis Moore just failing to get on the end of it. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-0 Hearts Colts

The Buddies doubled their lead soon after the interval when Reilly grabbed his and Saints' second. Just as was the case in the win over Dundee United last week, it was the perfect start to the second period as the striker burst on to a neat through ball from captain Stephen McGinn and lashed it home for his eighth St Mirren goal. 

Hearts Colts tried to find a way back into the match and were lucky still to be in the contest when Ian McShane swung a free-kick just by the right hand post on the hour. 

A third goal would have surely killed off the match, but this young Jambos side were a determined bunch. Again Beith who went close to getting on the scoresheet for the visitors with the captain curling a shot just wide after being laid off by Currie. 

They would get the goal they craved with just under 10 minutes of the match to go. Substitute Aidan Keena found himself in good space in the box only to have his attempt deflected by for a corner. The Buddies failed to deal with the set piece with Keena flinging the ball back into the danger area. It came off the leg of Jack Baird and landed in the path of Currie who managed to put the ball into the back of the net.  

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed for the visitors when John Sutton added a third for Saints on 83 minutes. This time Reilly turned provider as he clipped the ball from the byline into the six-yard box to meet the head of Sutton who nodded home. 

Both sides had chances in the final few moments with Ross Stewart saving well with his feet to deny Jamie Brandon and Gavin Reilly seeing a shot inside the box blocked as he seemed set to grab a hat-tick. 

In the end it was a fine effort from a young Hearts side, but it's Saints who deservedly progress into the next round of the cup. 

Full Time: St Mirren 3-1 Hearts Colts

St Mirren: Stewart, Stelios, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, McGinn, McShane (Sutton 71), Hilson (Stewart 54), Smith, O'Keefe (Kirkpatrick 61), Reilly
Subs Not Used: Samson, Whyte, Erhahon, Duffy

Hearts Colts: Mason, Brandon, Sandison, B. Gadja, Hamilton, Petkov (Cochrane 88), Morrison, Beith, Currie, Paton (Keena 49), Moore
Subs Not Used: W.Gadja, Irving, Reid, Ritchie

Referee: Craig Charleston 
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan 
Assistant Referee: Iain Snedden

Attendance: 1,130