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

St Mirren brought to an end Dundee United's 100% start to the Ladbrokes Championship with a stunning 3-0 win.

Lewis Morgan scored either side of half-time to put St Mirren 2-0 ahead before Ian McShane scored his first goal for the Buddies late on to seal the terrific victory. 

Saints were dominant throughout and thoroughly deserved the three points as they moved up to third in the league.  

The game got off to a lively start with Stelios testing United goalkeeper Harry Lewis after just 40 seconds, before the visitors' Paul McMullan had a shot held by Craig Samson. 

Samson then made a terrific block to deny Scott McDonald after Saints failed to clear a corner kick. 

But, on 26 minutes, St Mirren were ahead when Morgan, who told stmirren.com before the match that he relished the big matches, proved himself to be the man for the occasion as he opened the scoring with a wonderful goal. The winger picked the ball up from Stephen McGinn on the halfway line and burst forward before unleashing a low drive beyond Harry Lewis in the Dundee United goal to put the Buddies ahead.

Saints kept on coming and almost had a second 10 minutes later. McShane stepped up to take a free-kick on the left hand side which goalkeeper Lewis spilled into the path of Gregor Buchanan. The Saints defender got a flick of his boot on it only for it to come off the post, before the offside flag was raised with Gavin Reilly waiting to pounce.

And Reilly was unlucky not to score a few moments later when he latched on to a long ball up the field. Lewis had raced off his line, but the striker didn't connect well with the strike, sending it wide.

Just before the interval McShane almost got his name on the scoresheet directly from a corner. The 24 year-old whipped it in ferociously with it bouncing off the bar and eventually being scrambled to safety. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-0 Dundee United

Saints got the second half off to the perfect start as Morgan scored his and St Mirren's second three minutes after the break.

Again the 20 year-old broke forward and looked likely to try to emulate his first with the space there for him to have a go. Instead he played it wide to Liam Smith, with the loanee's attempted cross knocked back into the path of Morgan who composed himself before curling the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box. 

Robson went close to grabbing a goal back for the visitors a few minutes later after a terrific solo run, but the shot whizzed by the post. 

In truth St Mirren were well on top with Stephen McGinn unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. A corner from central midfield partner eventually fell to the skipper who took it first time on the volley with it only just going wide.

The Buddies killed the match with just over 10 minutes to go when Ian McShane grabbed his first St Mirren goal to seal the points. Morgan did well to keep the ball in play on the right side before expertly picking out the 24 year-old. The midfielder took a touch before curling it home from the edge of the box to end a perfect day for Saints in style. 

Full Time: St Mirren 3-0 Dundee United

St Mirren: Samson, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, L. Smith (Kirkpatrick 86), McGinn, McShane, Stelios, Morgan (Whyte 88), C.Smith, Reilly (Stewart 89)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, O'Keefe, Duffy, Sutton  

Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Durnan, Quinn, Robson, Stanton, Flood, Fyvie (N'Koyi 65), McMullan, King, McDonald
Subs Not Used: Deniz, Toshney, Edjenduele, Allardice, Dailly, Thomas

Referee: Kevin Glancy 
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: David Dunne

Attendance: 4,768

St Mirren inflicted a first defeat of the season on Livingston as ten men Saints earned a deserved three points at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

A Craig Halkett own goal got the Buddies off to a flying start before the Livi skipper equalised a little over five minutes later.

Saints were reduced to 10 men for a second week in a row when Gary Irvine received his marching order for a late tackle on Dale Carrick.

But a second half double from Gavin Reilly was enough to see the Buddies make it two wins from the first three league matches and end Livingston's 17 match unbeaten record.

Saints started the match well with Lewis Morgan testing Neil Alexander with only two minutes on the clock, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with a fierce effort just inside the box. 

The good start would soon pay dividends as St Mirren went ahead on 10 minutes. It all came from the effort of captain Stephen McGinn who picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward before attempting to clip the ball in to the middle for one of the oncoming Saints players. It came off Halkett's outstretched leg before looping over Alexander to send the visitors into an early lead.

The Buddies were value for their lead after the way they had started the match and could have doubled their advantage after Morgan slipped in Gavin Reilly a few minutes later. The striker had Cammy Smith in the box as support but went it alone drilling the ball mere inches by the far post. 

Saints were on top but the home side could have been level on 15 minutes when Scott Pittman rose to meet Rafaelle De Vita's cross. The midfielder powered the header goalward only to be denied by a truly wonderful save from Craig Samson. However, Saints failed to get the danger clear after the goalkeeper's save with Livingston winning a corner from which they'd find their equaliser. Halkett made amends for his part in Saints' opener as he met Josh Mullin's corner to bullet home the equaliser.

The home side grew in confidence and then, for a second week in a row, St Mirren were reduced to ten men when Gary Irvine was shown a straight red after catching Dale Carrick late. That meant a change of shape for the Buddies, going from a 3-4-3 to a 4-4-1 and gave the Lions a man advantage with around an hour of the match still to go. 

The windy conditions were also making it difficult for Saints as Livingston tried to make their extra man count. Craig Samson was on hand to deny De Vita's header after the forward met a terrific Mullin cross at the far post, before strong hands from the keeper kept out Joe Thomson's long range effort just before the interval.

Half Time: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren

Livingston came out of the traps quickly with Pittman having a shot blocked by Adam Eckersley.

But it was the visitors who would take the lead for a second time despite being down a man. Lewis Morgan was caught late 40 yards from the Livi goal as he tried to burst forward at pace and Saints were awarded a free kick. Ian McShane floated the ball into the box, where it was headed out only as far as Cammy Smith who let fly. Alexander got his hands to the effort, but only succeeding in pushing the ball into the path of Gavin Reilly who knocked it home.

And less than 10 minutes later the Buddies were three to the good with Reilly again on the scoresheet. Like the first it came from a free kick after Cammy Smith was pushed. McShane flung it deep into the Livingston box where he picked out Stelios who had peeled away at the far corner. The Cypriot nodded a header across the face of goal where Reilly was sliding into to crash it into the net to give Saints a cushion.

The drama in the match was far from over as Danny Mullen went into the book for a poor challenge on Stelios. Manager Jack Ross was sent to the stand as he protested the decision to take the full back off the pitch after receiving treatmenta.

Livingston had to chase the game, but it was Saints who were looking the more likely with the speed of Morgan causing problems when he hit the home side on the counter on several occasions. The closest the winger came was on 84 minutes when he broke through with John Sutton in support. He elected to go alone but saw his attempt blocked by Halkett.

The home side almost pulled one back two minutes later when substitute Nikolay Todorov cracked the bar after being teed off by Cadden. 

But the makeshift St Mirren defence held firm and Saints picked up a big three points to move them up to fourth place with just three games played. 

Full Time: Livingston 1-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Buchanan, Eckersley, L.Smith, McGinn, McShane, Stelios, C.Smith (Kirkpatrick 74), Morgan, Reilly (Sutton 67)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Whyte, O'Keefe, Stewart, Duffy

Livingston: Alexander, Longridge, Halkett, Gallagher, Byrne (Mackin 66) , Pittman, Thomson, Mullen, Mullin, Carrick (Todorov 71), De Vita (Cadden 60)
Subs Not Used: Maley, Penrice, Knox, Jacobs

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Ross Anderson

Attendance: 1609

St Mirren scored two late goals to avoid a shock exit at the hands of East Kilbride in the first round of the IRN-BRU Cup. 

Saints had dominated the match but failed to find a breakthrough before Dominic McLaren scored with less than 10 minutes to go to send the Lowland League side into the lead.

The Buddies were staring exit in the face before Ross Stewart levelled on 87 minutes. The game was poised for extra time when Lewis Morgan popped up deep in injury to snatch a 2-1 victory that sees the St Mirren in the draw for the next round.

Saints started well with new boy Darryl Duffy testing Jacob Kean in the East Kilbride goal with a header on four minutes after he got on the end of Cammy Smith's ball in.

Smith then went close himself a minute later with a goal-bound effort that was headed off the line. 

Ross Stewart will have been disappointed not to have opened the score twice within the space of a minute. The striker was first on the end of a Cammy Smith cut back and fired over at close range with the goal gaping. Then, less than 60 seconds later, he was the recipient of a great ball in from debutant Liam Smith. He nodded towards goal but his header was clawed over by Kean.

Kean, deputising for the McGinley, was having the game of his life and made a super stop to deny Ian McShane a first St Mirren goal. The midfielder rushed into the box to meet an Adam Eckersley cross with his head but again the goalkeeper was in hand to keep the score goalless.

The returning Eckersley was the next to be denied as Kean palmed his cross-cum-shot away from goal just before the match reached half time.

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 East Kilbride

After a slow start to the first second half Saints took control after the manager made two substitutions. On came Gavin Reilly and Stelios Demetriou, with the former thwarted by the goalkeeper a little after the hour mark. The striker burst into the box and looked certain to finally put Saints in front, but once again Kean was there to push the attempt away. 

And Kean would continue to frustrate the Buddies as he denied Lewis Morgan after the winger drove forward and went low with his effort only to see the goalkeeper flick it by the post. 

Saints were huffing and puffing but East Kilbride's house just wouldn't blow down. Reilly looked certain to score when he was found in space but his shot was deflected wide before Ross Stewart leaped to reach a cross only to see it come off the post.

And then, all of a sudden against the run of play, the visitors took a shock lead with just 10 minutes to go. Dominic McLaren rose above the St Mirren defence to head the Lowland League side in front from a corner kick.

It was scarcely believable given the previous 80 minutes of play with the Buddies now on the verge of inconceivable exit from the competition. But still St Mirren pressed on and were rewarded when Ross Stewart finally breached the stubborn Lowland League side's defence to level the scores. The striker nipped in ahead of the East Kilbride defence to lift the ball over the goalkeeper to restore parity.

Saints pushed and pushed to score to avoid extra-time. Once again Kean was imperious on the 90 minute mark as he inexplicably turned away a Reilly shot at the far post.

But there was yet another twist in the tail as Morgan picked the ball up after a scramble in the box and squeezed the ball in at the near post to put Saints into the next round.  

Full Time: St Mirren 2-1 East Kilbride

St Mirren: Stewart, L. Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley (Stelios 57) , Morgan, McShane, McGinn, C.Smith (Kirkpatrick 75), Stewart, Duffy (Reilly 56)
Subs Not Used: Samson, Irvine, O'Keefe,  Sutton

East Kilbride: Kean, Stevenson, Coll, Russell, McLaren, Gibbons, Corrieri (Ferris 66), McLeish (Anderson 75), Coogans (Campbell 66), Hughes, Strachan
Subs Not Used: McGinley, McNeil, Robertson, Beattie

Referee: John McKendrick
Assistant Referee: Kylie McMullan
Assistant Referee: Jordan Paterson

Attendance: 1357

St Mirren were reduced to ten men on the way to defeat by Morton in the first Renfrewshire derby of the season.

Jack Baird's second half sending off was a pivotal moment in the match with the scores level at 1-1 when the defender conceded a second penalty of the afternoon. 

Tidser had scored from the spot to open the scoring before Cammy Smith equalised with a superb strike. Baird's red card soon after the interval allowed Tidser to score again. Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch rounded off a disappointing afternoon for Saints with two goals in a five minute period to give Morton a 4-1 victory.

Jack Ross named the same starting eleven for the third match in a row with new signing Darryl Duffy on the bench.

But it was a striker who has made over 100 appearances for the Saints that should have opened the scoring for Saints just six minutes into the match. John Sutton rose above the Morton defence and teammate Gavin Reilly to reach a brilliant ball in from Lewis Morgan but headed wide. 

Saints had started well but the home side grew into the game with Ross Forbes almost putting Morton ahead on 14 minutes, sending a free kick just wide. Gary MacKenzie was penalised for a foul 20 yards out with Forbes stepping up to curl it into the side netting just a few moments after he had sent a shot crashing over the bar.

The home side were awarded a penalty on 25 minutes when Jai Quitongo went down under the challenge from Jack Baird as he was bearing down on goal. Craig Samson was infuriated by the decision as he felt striker went down easily and a bit of afters saw both the goalkeeper and Quitongo join Baird in the book. Michael Tidser stepped up after a bit of a delay but made no mistake as he dispatched it low into the left with Samson going the wrong way. 

Morton should have been two goals to the good after a terrific low fizzing ball across the box from Quitongo met Bob McHugh. The striker hit his shot into the ground with Samson doing tremendously well to claw the ball over the bar. From the resultant corner Morton captain Thomas O'Ware sent a header just wide of the right hand post after meeting Forbes' ball in.

Saints made the home side pay for that profligacy on 40 minutes when Cammy Smith scored a peach of an equaliser. It was the forward's third goal in as many games as he picked up the ball and drove forward before spectacularly drilling it into the top corner of the net to take the sides level into the second half.

Half Time: Morton 1-1 St Mirren

Saints got the second half off to the worse possible start as Baird received a second yellow card as he conceded a second penalty less than five minutes after the interval.  

A misplaced pass from MacKenzie was pounced upon by Quitongo before he slipped it to McHugh who got ahead of Baird and charged through on goal. The defender tugged at the striker's jersey and he fell to the ground with Willie Collum quickly pointing to the penalty spot for a second time. 

Once again Tidser stepped up to take and once again he sent Samson the wrong way, this time crashing the ball into the right side of the net to put the Greenock side back in front. 

Morton made their man advantage count as they gave themselves a cushion on 72 minutes. Good work on the right hand side from the effective Quitongo saw him pick out McHugh inside the box and the striker fired it home to ensure the bragging rights would stay in Greenock. 

Ian McShane almost pulled a goal back for Saints with his powerful drive from the edge of the box turned over the bar by Derek Gaston. 

McHugh turned provider five minutes later as Morton further extended their lead. Andy Murdoch peeled off on the right hand side before being slipped in by the striker and slotting the ball beyond Samson to make it 4-1.

That was how it finished as Morton picked up the bragging rights for the first derby of the season. 

Full Time: Morton 4-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Stelios, Smith, McGinn (c), McShane, Morgan, Sutton (Buchanan 50), Reilly (Stewart 64)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Eckersley, Kirkpatrick, O'Keefe, Duffy

Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie, Doyle (McManus 76), Forbes (Oliver 85), Quitongo (Harkins 76), Thomson, McHugh, Tidser, Russell
Subs Not Used: McGowan, Tiffoney, Iredale, Strapp, McManus, Harkins, Oliver

Referee: Willie Collum
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Alan MacFayden

Attendance: 4,661

St Mirren opened their Ladbrokes Championship season with a first opening day win since 2006 as they came from behind to deservedly defeat Falkirk 3-1 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Nathan Austin gave the Bairns an early lead before goals from Stelios, Cammy Smith and Gavin Reilly gave Saints all three points.

Jack Ross elected to name the same starting eleven that defeated Airdrieonians 5-0 a week prior. 

But the Buddies couldn't have gotten off to a worse start with the vistors taking the lead with a little over 90 seconds on the clock. Gary Irvine slipped inside the box allowing ex-Saint Rory Loy to curl an effort towards the top corner that Craig Samson could only push into the air. Nathan Austin was on hand to nudge the ball over the line from close range to put Falkirk ahead.

Saints' best chance of the match came after 24 minutes after a quick break from Lewis Morgan. The winger played a sensational cross field pass onto the head of John Sutton who nodded it down into the path of Cammy Smith. The striker was one-on-one with Robbie Thomson but stuck his attempt over the bar. 

St Mirren got themselves level on 33 minutes as Stelios scored Saints' first league goal of the season. The left-back charged onto a great ball across from Gavin Reilly and drilled it low beyond Thomson to level the proceedings. 

The home side grew in confidence after the equaliser winning a couple of corners, the best chance coming when Morgan curled wide after a McShane corner. 

Falkirk almost got themselves in front for a second time just before the break when Myles Hippolyte flashed a powerful low drive a whisker by the post. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-1 Falkirk

While Saints couldn't have wished for a worse start to the first half, they got off to the perfect start after the interval. Just 45 seconds into the second half Falkirk keeper Thomson clawed at Gavin Reilly's cross from the right hand side, but only succeeded in putting it into the feet of Smith who composed himself before driving the ball into the net. 

Goalscorer Austin went close to grabbing his second when he sprinted into the box, closely guarded by Gary MacKenzie. The big defender did his best to hold him off but the striker eventually got the shot away which Samson blocked. 

And less than 10 minutes later it was Smith's turn to play provider for Reilly. Smith played a delightful through ball for the striker who burst through and finished it beautifully with a hard, low strike across the face of goal into the back of the net. 

Falkirk's hopes of salvaging anything from the match were dealt a blow on 76 minutes when Aaron Muirhead was shown a straight red card. It was a deserved sending off for the Bairns defender as he caught Stelios with an elbow as the pair went up for a header. 

Yet the visitors should have pulled a goal back when substitute Lee Miller was sliding in at the back post. He connected with the low ball across inside the six yard box, but somehow failed to guide it into the net. 

Jack Baird almost got Saints a fourth as he rose above the Falkirk defence to head just over from a McShane corner. 

That was the last chance in the match with Saints ending up deserved winners and getting their season off to a flying start.

Full Time: St Mirren 3-1 Falkirk

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Stelios, Smith (O'Keefe 90), McGinn (c), McShane, Morgan, Sutton (Kirkpatrick 89), Reilly (Stewart 83)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Buchanan, Whyte, Eckersley

Falkirk: Thomson, Muirhead, Grant, McKee, Kerr, Austin (Gasparrotto 78), Hippolyte, Harris (Shepherd 65), Gallacher, Loy (Miller 50), Watson
Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Taiwo, O'Hara, Craigen

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Anthony Cooper
Assistant Referee: Colin McAlpine

Attendance: 4,639

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren's Betfred Cup campaign ended with a morale boosting win over Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium this afternoon. 

Jack Ross' side were dominant throughout the 90 minutes, putting five beyond the Diamonds as they gear up for the Ladbrokes Championship opening day fixture against Falkirk next week.

Saints were ahead just nine minutes in as a Stelios cross was turned into the net. Cammy Smith was credited with the goal but it appeared to come off Airdrie's Kieran MacDonald, leaving Rohan Ferguson helpless in the visitors' goal. Nevertheless it gave the side an early lead from which to build upon.

The Buddies could have been two to the good a little over five minutes later. A short freekick was worked wide to Jack Baird whose attempted cross was knocked out for a corner. Ian McShane pinged the ball into the penalty spot where Gary MacKenzie leaped above the Diamonds' defence to bullet just wide of the mark. 

The home side had to be alert when an excellent ball in from Cameron Russell was headed wide by Stelios with John Higgins waiting to pounce at the back post. From the corner, Saints cleared to Lewis Morgan who broke forward at speed before seeing his effort from the edge of the box blocked. 

Saints were on top and a succession of corners first saw McShane having a shot pushed wide by Ferguson, before the Airdrie keeper made a brilliant save to deny Jack Baird. 

St Mirren's dominance was to pay dividends when Gavin Reilly made it 2-0 on the half hour mark. Stephen McGinn expertly picked out John Sutton with a beautifully weighted ball into the box which the experienced striker cushioned on to Reilly. The 24 year-old didn't need a second invitation as he fired high into the top of the net to double the Buddies' advantage. 

Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Airdrieonians

The visitors spurned a glorious to reduce the deficit early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. MacKenzie was booked for his protests after he was adjudged to have pulled down Dean Cairns from a corner kick. Andy Ryan stepped up but sent the spot kick wide of the target. 

Saints would also miss a penalty after substitute Ross Stewart was fouled inside the box around 15 minutes later. Reilly stepped up looking to net his second of the afternoon but his effort was tame and easily saved by Ferguson. 

The striker would quickly make amends though. He was on the end of a cross from Morgan with his header hitting the post before creeping over the line to put the game to bed. 

He could have had the match ball less than 60 seconds later as he found himself in good space before his attempt was pushed wide by Ferguson. 

The game was over as a contest but there was a clean sheet to be kept for Craig Samson. He made a series of good stops in a busy two minute spell. First he denied David Brownlie with a fine save, tipping the header over the bar. From the resultant corner he made another excellent stop from Ryan's header before blocking Murray Loudon's far post volley. 

And not only was there a clean sheet to be kept, but Saints were hungry for more goals with Morgan getting in on the act. The 20 year-old winger scored a fine angled effort after latching on to a ball over the top from McShane, rifling into the far corner beyond Ferguson. 

Stewart thought he had netted when he followed up Morgan's saved effort minutes later but the linesman's flag was raised to deny the striker a first goal at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

There would be a fifth though as Smith scored on 89 minutes. There was to be no argument about this one as the forward broke into the box and smashed it home to make it 5-0.

It may have meant little in terms of the Betfred Cup, but the emphatic win gives Saints a boost heading into next week's curtain raiser in the Ladbrokes Championship. 

Full Time: St Mirren 5-0 Airdrieonians

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie (Buchanan 68), Stelios, Smith, McShane, McGinn, Morgan, Sutton (Stewart 65), Reilly (Kirkpatrick 75)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Horne, Whyte, Morrison

Airdrieonians: Ferguson, S. Stewart, MacDonald, McIntosh, Cairns, Brownline, Higgins, Conroy, Ryan, Russell (Loudon 45), Brown (Thomson 77)
Subs Not Used: Kerr, McLaughlin, Leighton

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Jordan Stokoe
Assistant Referee: Daniel Graves

Attendance: 1,557

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography