St Mirren's only pre-season match at the Paisley 2021 Stadium ended in defeat at the hands of Dundee. 

Gavin Reilly scored for Saints in his first appearance at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, but a first half double from Darren O'Dea and an early second half goal from Marcus Haber were enough to secure the visitors the win. 

Saints started off in bright fashion and could have been 1-0 up after only 17 seconds.

New recruit Reilly was in a tigerish mood as he closed down Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain early door, forcing the Scotland squad man to weakly clear the ball to Stephen McGinn. The captain took a touch before quickly surveying his options, sending a curling effort just by the post.

Bain made a world class stop just a few minutes later to deny Dale Hilson. Hilson - who joined the Buddies last week - burst through and smashed towards the middle of the goal with Bain just managing to get his fingertips to it.

Saints had started well but it was the visitors who took the lead with a little over 10 minutes played. Craig Samson's couldn't gather Scott Allan's corner and it was bundled over the line by Dee captain Darren O'Dea. 

Bain was forced into work again in quick succession when good work from Reilly and then Morgan saw the keeper have to claw both efforts away. 

Dundee doubled their lead on 38 minutes when O'Dea scored his second. A short corner found the Irish defender who rose above the Saints defence to power a strong header beyond Samson. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-2 Dundee

Dundee extended their lead three minutes after the break when Marcus Haber tucked home. Allan sent the ball across for the Canadian striker who finished from close range to put the game out of sight. 

Reilly pulled a goal back for the Buddies on 55 minutes with a tidy finish. The striker played a neat one-two with Kyle Magennis before drilling beyond Bain just inside the box. 

The game may have been billed as a friendly but it had a bit of an edge to it with Dundee's Lewis Spence going into the book for a foul on McGinn. 

Try as they may Saints couldn't cut the deficit further with Morgan seeing a shot saved by Bain with a little over 10 minutes to go. 

Full Time: St Mirren 1-3 Dundee

St Mirren: Samson (Stewart 72), Whyte (Trialist 76), MacKenzie, Baird (Buchanan 45), Stelios, Magennis (Stewart 72), McGinn, Hilson (Kirkpatrick 67), Smith (Todd 59), Morgan (Sutton 82), Reilly (MacPherson 76)

Saints Star Man: Gavin Reilly - the striker looked lively in his first appearance at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and capped it off with a neat goal in the second half.

Exactly five months after it started in Dumfries, Saints completed the great escape by getting the point they needed against Hibs.

It wasn't easy – but then it never is where St Mirren concerned. After a goalless first half they were safe, despite 10-man Raith Rovers being ahead against Ayr. However, just after the break Grant Holt put the Championship winners in front and Saints were heading for the play-offs.

But the response from the Buddies was tremendous and they drew level after an hour, home-grown heroes Lewis Morgan, Kyle Magennis and Stevie Mallan combining for Rory Loy to score a priceless equaliser that sparked bedlam behind the goal.

And with Ayr equalising, that seemed to be that – only for Hibs to step things back up and the Honest Men to miss a penalty that the Saints fans had already celebrated as being converted.

Instead, Raith scored a last minute winner and three agonising minutes of stoppage time had to be endured before ref Alan Muir finally put Saints out of their misery by blowing his whistle to mark the end of the season and the completion of Mission: Impossible.

Saints boss Jack Ross stuck with the side that had demolished Raith a week earlier, hat-trick hero Stevie Mallan starting alongside Stephen McGinn in midfield. The skipper's brother John was in the Hibs team along with fellow former Buddie Darren McGregor.

A point was enough to keep Saints up but they should have been behind after just three minutes. John McGinn's tremendous cross field ball found Holt and the experienced striker knocked it down for the unmarked Andrew Shinnie, however he blazed over when he should at least have worked Billy O'Brien. The Buddies had struggled in the opening quarter of an hour but had a penalty claim when Morgan got the better of David Gray and then hit the deck under a challenge from the Hibs fullback, however ref Alan Muir curiously gave a goal-kick.

Gradually Saints began to settle and started to pose a few questions of the home defence. Gary Irvine ended up in the book for a foul on Martin Boyle – somewhat unfortunate considering Saints only lost possession when the referee got in the way. The free-kick came to nothing, Mr Muir perhaps feeling guilty and immediately blowing for a foul on Jack Baird when the ball was swung in.

Stephen McGinn had a tame shot blocked before Irvine's day was done as he failed to shrug off an injury and was replaced by Stelios just before the break. He arrived just as Saints forced a couple of corners and when the second was only partially cleared Mallan pulled it back for Morgan but he curled his shot over. In stoppage time the winger was clattered by Holt, earning the Hibs frontman a booking.

The striker made amends in the best possible way just a couple of minutes after the break. John McGinn curled in a great cross and Holt got on the end of it to divert it past O'Brien. With Raith winning against Ayr despite being down to 10 men, Saints were heading for ninth place. They were in danger of going even further behind too, Cummings heading over as the visitors struggled to stop crosses coming into their box.

A Stephen McGinn ball sparked them into life, Morgan causing Efe Ambrose problems and finding Loy with a low cross but his shot was blocked by McGregor. Jack Baird shot over from the edge of the box before Loy went close again, Magennis sending him away only for the on-loan striker's shot to be blocked by Ofir Marciano at his near post.

Mallan then got his first sight of goal but shot over before Saints deservedly drew level. Stelios' clearance found Morgan and he ran across the pitch before Magennis. He had the ball stolen off him by Mallan and as he shaped to shoot he had the ball nicked away by Loy who calmly slotted it across Marciano into the far corner. The Saints fans behind the goal went bezerk as their side found themselves half an hour from safety.

The job wasn't done though, O'Brien needing two attempts to save Martin Boyle's shot as Hibs got going again. The champions had perhaps gone to sleep after their goal but were showing they planned to finish the season on a high, however the away fans' mood was buoyed by news Ayr had equalised against Raith.

O'Brien did well to punch away a Cummings free-kick before Hibs replaced Andrew Shinnie with Keatings. Baird then saw his deflected shot saved by Marciano, before the Saints fans celebrated Ayr getting a penalty – only for it to be missed. The mood almost darkened further when it looked as if Cummings had scored but his shot whistled narrowly past the post. Jordon Forster, who'd come on at the break, headed from a corner as Saints found themselves clinging on before Loy was booked for fouling the other half-time sub Fraser Fyvie.

The Buddies replaced Cammy Smith with Rocco Quinn before John Sutton took over from Loy with three minutes left. It looked as if Saints would do it but there was bad news from Fife as Raith snatched a last minute winner. Suddenly the Buddies were a goal away from being dragged into the play-offs but they ran down the clock superbly in the corner before conceding a goal kick.

That was the signal for Mr Muir to take the ball and blow for full-time, much to the delight of the Saints players, management and fantastic supporters. From 19 points behind Raith, the Buddies had finished ahead of them, Ayr United and Dumbarton to ensure there will be Championship football in Paisley next season – and who thought we'd be saying that on that cold, dark Tuesday night at Palmerston in December?

Full Time: Hibernian 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine (Stelios 43), Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Smith (Quinn 84), S.McGinn, Magennis, Mallan, Morgan, Loy (Sutton 88)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Fjelde, Todd

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray (Forster 45), Ambrose, McGregor, Stevenson, Boyle, J.McGinn, Bartley (Fyvie 45), Shinnie (Keatings 76), Holt, Cummings
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Humphrey, Graham, Martin

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Willie Conquer
Assistant Referee: Alan Hogg

Attendance: 19,764

St Mirren took a huge step towards securing their Ladbrokes Championship status with a thumping win over Raith Rovers.

Jack Ross' side were in sensational form as a Stevie Mallan hat-trick helped inspire the Buddies on to a fantastic five goal in front of a near 5,000 strong crowd at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

It was the biggest ever winning margin for a Saints side at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and means that the side can't finish bottom of the league. 

The hosts looked in the mood from the start and had two half-hearted appeals for penalties after Gary MacKenzie and Rory Loy went down under challenges inside the box. 

Saints had a number of early corners and free kicks but it would take until just before the half hour mark to go ahead. Jean Mvoto failed to get a strong enough head to a clearance allowing Kyle Magennis to flick the ball down the right channel to Cammy Smith. The loanee sprung the offside trap and raced to the byline before picking out the onrushing Mallan who sent St Mirren ahead with a neat finish from six yards out. It was no more than Saints deserved after a good start to the match and got the Paisley 2021 Stadium rocking.

The Buddies were in control and Lewis Morgan almost got his 10th goal of the season when he cracked an effort towards the near post only to be denied by a good save from Pavol Penksa. 

And Morgan was involved as Saints doubled their lead with five minutes to go until half time. Captain Stephen McGinn was felled outside the box, winning St Mirren a free-kick in 'Mallan Territory'. Morgan shaped for the shot, but ran over the ball allowing Mallan to lash towards goal. The midfielder's effort was aimed towards Penksa's near post but it came off Declan McManus and ended up in the back of the net.

Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Raith Rovers

The Buddies didn't waste any time in adding to their lead in the second half. Less than three minutes after the break, Rory Loy bundled the ball home to put Saints three ahead. Mallan whipped a corner onto the head of the diving in Gary MacKenzie who forced it goalward before Loy touched home in amongst a ruck of players. 

Saints were rampant and both Mallan and Morgan went close with the former forcing Penksa into a smart stop and the latter sending an effort just over the bar. 

Mallan wasn't to be denied his hat-trick though and he grabbed it in the most spectacular of fashions on the hour mark. The 21 year-old played a neat one-two with Loy before bending it into the top corner from around 30 yards. It was an utterly sublime effort from a tremendously talented player and would likely have been a shoo-in for goal of the season if the voting wasn't set to close already. 

There was no let up from Saints and Morgan thought he'd put the Buddies 5-0 up minutes later when he finished neatly. However, the linesman's flag was up as he adjudged the winner was just offside from Smith's pass through.  

But Morgan wasn't to be denied that 10th of the season as he scored with only a few minutes remaining. A long ball from Billy O'Brien was flicked on to Smith by substitute Stelios. Smith touched it on to Mallan who played the most sublime ball over the top of the Raith defenders to find Morgan. The young winger rattled the ball first time to secure a fantastic fifth for the Buddies.

Jack Ross' side now go to Easter Road knowing that a win will definitely see them avoid a play-off spot while a draw will likely be enough for the Buddies to retain their Championship status.

FULL TIME: St Mirren 5-0 Raith Rovers

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie (Webster 85), Eckersley, Magennis (Quinn 80), McGinn, Mallan, Morgan, Smith (Stelios 76), Loy
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd, Webster

Raith Rovers: Penksa, Thompson, Thomson, M'Voto, McHattie, Skacel (Hardie 53), C.Barr, Johnston (Stewart 53), B.Barr (Court 53), Handling, McManus
Subs Not Used: Brennan, Roberts, Court, Stewart, Hardie, Benedictus

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: Barry Reid

St Mirren's seven match unbeaten run in the league came to an end as Dundee United snatched a last gasp win at Tannadice.

Goals from Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd pulled Saints level on two occasions after United had taken the lead through Thomas Mikkelsen and Tony Andreu. Blair Spittal fired home from the edge of the box in the final minute to give the hosts all three points.

The Tangerines took the lead early on in controversial circumstances when Mikkelsen fired home with just seven minutes on the clock. Andreu flicked the ball over the top searching for the Danish striker who caught Gary MacKenzie with a high boot before running through and slamming the ball into the back of the net. The Saints players and supporters were furious that official Craig Charleston allowed the goal to stand after what looked like a clear foul. And despite being on the receiving end of the foul, MacKenzie ended up in the referee's book for his protests. 

Saints grew into the game and were almost level when Stevie Mallan curled a free kick just by Cammy Bell's left hand post.

St Mirren deservedly equalised with a little over five minutes to go in what was a quiet first half. It felt like justice was served as MacKenzie was the one to get the Buddies back on level terms. Lewis Morgan was halved on the right hand side by Jamie Robson who went into the book for the challenge. Mallan went across to whip the ball into the middle where it met the head of MacKenzie who pulled away from his marker to power home.

Half Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren

The hosts had a glorious opportunity to retake the lead in the second half when Simon Murray hit the woodwork. A Saints corner was cleared to the half way line where Gary Irvine was penalised for bringing down a United player. The free kick was played quickly to Murray on the edge of the box who smashed it off the bar. The ball then fell invitingly for Mikkelesen whose first touch was poor allowing Billy O'Brien to smother.

They did go back in front when the referee awarded United an indirect free kick in the box. A loose ball played into the Saints box from 40 yards out was gathered by O'Brien who was under pressure by Murray. The referee adjudged it to be a pass-back from Stephen McGinn and despite some disagreement with the decision in the press box, it proved to be the correct call. Spittal rolled the ball to Frenchman Andreu who blasted it low into the net to restore the home side's advantage, scoring his fifth goal against the Buddies this season. 

Saints almost made it 2-2 soon after with Mallan forcing Bell to push a free kick wide. The 21 year-old got it up and over the wall but the goalkeeper did well as he got both hands to it to force it away from goal. MacKenzie went close to getting his second from the resultant corner as he rose above the United defence again sending a header just over. 

Josh Todd was brought as a late substitute for the Buddies and his introduction had the desired affect when he scored his first St Mirren goal to square the game. McGinn was on the end of a loose ball in the box and crashed a shot goalward. It took a deflection and landed at the feet of Todd who showed great composure to open up room in the box before firing it high into the United net.

It looked like St Mirren were going to take what would have been a deserved point but there was late heartbreak as Spittal scored in the dying embers of the match. Mikkelsen found the midfielder on the edge of the box and he struck it low beyond O'Brien into the net to seal three points for the home side.

Full Time: Dundee Utd 3-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine (Stelios 77), Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Smith (Sutton 69), Loy (Todd 79)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Quinn, Storie, Stelios, Todd, Sutton

Dundee Utd: Bell, Robson, Durnan, Edjenguele, Allardice (Kuate 45), Murdoch, Flood, Spittal (Donaldson 90+2), Murray, Andreu, Mikkelsen
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Dixon, Coote, Telfer, Nicholls

Referee: Craig Charleston
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Garry Farmer

Attendance: 6,225

St Mirren extended their unbeaten run in the Ladbrokes Championship to seven matches with a 2-2 draw against Falkirk. 

The Buddies took the lead twice thanks to goals from Rory Loy and Stephen McGinn before being pegged back on two occasions by Lee Miller and Bob McHugh.

The point keeps St Mirren in 8th place with just three matches remaining. 

Saints started the match in hungry fashion with Kyle Magennis almost netting his third goal in two weeks when he intercepted a loose pass on the half way line and charged forward. The 18 year-old burst into the box and lashed a powerful effort into the arms of Robbie Thomson. 

The early pressure would pay off with just six minutes on the clock when Rory Loy scored against his former team. A ball across from Adam Eckersley on the left almost found it's target in John Sutton. The striker was unable to get ahead of his marker, but the ball fell kindly to Loy who smashed St Mirren into the lead.

And one could've almost become two very soon after when Cammy Smith's header almost doubled Saints advantage. Goalscorer Loy clipped the ball into the box where the loanee looked to have nodded Saints 2-0 up only for Thomson to push away.

St Mirren looked in control, but the hosts found themselves level on 20 minutes through Lee Miller. A free kick 25 yards from goal was whipped in to the back post by James Craigen. It looked to be drifting out for a goal kick, but Luca Gasparotto managed to square the ball to Miller who tapped in from close range. 

Falkirk had gotten themselves a footing in the match which proved to be end-to-end until the end of the half. Miller blazed over minutes before a fast counter from Saints saw Loy send an effort wide.

The Buddies won a free kick just before half time after Mallan was brought down. The 21 year-old took it low, but Thomson did well to deny him a 10th goal of the season. 

Half Time: Falkirk 1-1 St Mirren

The first chance of the second half fell for Saints with the impressive Magennis curling an effort into the arms of Thomson. 

Saints won a free kick in 'Mallan Territory' soon after when Loy was nudged by Mark Kerr. Mallan stepped up but smacked the attempt off the Falkirk wall. The Buddies won the ball after it broke and worked it down the right side with Magennis sending a low fizzing ball into the six yard box. However, Thomson was there to claim.

The Buddies took the lead for the second time on the hour mark when Stephen McGinn curled a shot from 20 yards into the top corner. The captain found the ball up and picked his spot leaving the stretching Thomson with no chance. It was a stunning goal from the skipper and put Saints back in the driver's seat.

Falkirk reacted by bringing on Nathan Austin, Fraser Aird and Bob McHugh in place of John Baird, Mark Kerr and Lee Miller. And it was McHugh who got the hosts equalised with 13 minutes to go with his first touch. A free kick deep in the St Mirren half was whipped in to the box by Aird. Saints tried to get the ball away but the ball fell to McHugh who slammed home to pull Falkirk level for a second time. 

Lewis Morgan made his return from injury sooner than expected when he replaced Sutton on 81 minutes. It was a pleasing moment for the Saints late on as they settled for a point in the race for Championship survival. 

Full Time: Falkirk 2-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Smith (Storie 85), Loy (Todd 88), Sutton (Morgan 81)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Gordon, Quinn, Fjelde

Falkirk: Thomson, Leahy, Muirhead, Taiwo, Gasparotto, Grant, Kerr (Aird 67), Craigen, Sibbald, Baird (Austin 67), Miller (McHugh 77)
Subs Not Used: Rogers, Kidd, Gallacher, Shepherd

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Simon MacLean

Attendance: 4734 (1427 St Mirren supporters)

Our thanks to Falkirk FC photographer Ian Sneddon for providing the header image. 

St Mirren moved up to eighth place in the Ladbrokes Championship with a stunning 4-1 derby win at Cappielow. 

The Buddies boosted their hopes of survival with goals from Stelios Demetriou, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie taking the Saints out of the relegation play-off spot with just four matches remaining.

The best early chance for either side came on 18 minutes when Rory Loy robbed Michael Doyle of the ball around 20 yards out and drove into the box. He drilled the ball across the face of goal with both Kyle Magennis and Sutton sliding in with neither able to get the touch that would have saw it nestle in the back of the net. 

But it was a mere delay when Mallan's excellent first time pass found Stelios marauding down the left side side. The Cypriot skilfully checked in away from Doyle before lashing the ball from just inside the box beyond Derek Gaston. It sent the fans in the Wee Dublin End wild with chants of Super Stelios ringing throughout. 

But Saints couldn't build on it as the hosts equalised less than 10 minutes later after a lightening quick counter attack. Aidan Nesbitt slipped the ball through for Doyle who broke down the right flank. The defender picked out Andy Murdoch who arrived in the ball late to guide the ball beyond Billy O'Brien to draw level.

The home side's tails were up and they grew in stature, going close to scoring a second soon after their equaliser. O'Brien's poor clearance along the deck was picked up by Nesbitt who found Gary Oliver. The striker did well to find Lawrence Shankland but the ex-Saint couldn't connect with it properly with Jack Baird in close situ to shepherd it out for a corner.

Stelios should have scored his and St Mirren's second after breaking clear just before half time. The left back was picked out by Smith and raced through, beating Mark Russell to the ball before switching the ball to his other foot as he got into a shooting position only to see his effort deflected over the bar. It would have been the perfect end to the first half

Half Time: Morton 1-1 St Mirren

While Saints missed the opportunity to end the first half ahead they made amends with the best possible start after the interval. Mallan picked up after a neat touch from Stephen McGinn who did well to hold off his marker. The midfielder didn't need to think about it as he leathered the ball first time from 25 yards out into the far corner of the net. It was a stunning hit from the 21 year-old who has made a habit of scoring special goals.

And from that point on Saints controlled the match. John Sutton, making his 100th start for the Buddies, looked to put the game to bed soon after when he scored his 43rd St Mirren goal. It was Cammy Smith who won the ball in midfield, charging forward before finding Loy on the left hand side. The striker took one touch to open up space and then sent the ball across the face of goal where all Sutton had to do was get his toe on it. And get his toe on it he did with Saints opening up a two goal cushion with over half an hour still to play.

There was still plenty of time for it to go either way but in truth Saints were well on top for the rest of the game. The Morton support were certain they had halved the deficit just moments after Sutton's goal. O'Brien couldn't get his hand on a ball across from Mark Russell on the left which was swung back in from the right straight to the head of Oliver whose looping header was saved by the goalkeeper on the line. 

Saints added some gloss to the score line with 10 minutes remaining. Good work from Magennis on the right side won the Buddies a corner. Mallan swung it in where Gary MacKenzie towered above Gaston, and the rest of the Morton defence, to bullet home. It was no less than the Buddies deserved after bossing the game for large spells. 

And with the full time whistle came St Mirren's first derby win of the season - a win that sees Jack Ross' side move off the relegation play-off spot and give the club a huge chance of survival with just four games remaining. 

Full Time: Morton 1-4 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Stelios, Magennis, Mallan (Quinn 90), McGinn, Smith (Todd 88), Loy (Storie 84), Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Gordon, Fjelde, Whyte

Morton: Gaston, Lamie, O'Ware, Doyle, Oliver, Forbes, Lindsay (Tidser 75), Nesbitt, Russell, Murdoch, Shankland (Donnelly 88)
Subs Not Used: McGowan, Kilday, Oyenuga, Scullion, McDonagh, 

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Colin McAlpine

Attendance: 4,609

Match report pictures by Allan Picken - © Allan Picken Photography and John Millar - © millarpictures

St Mirren came off the bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship for the first time since September after a 1-1 draw with Dumbarton. 

Kyle Magennis scored his second in two games to give St Mirren an early lead before Lewis Vaughan pegged Saints back with a terrific finish. 

The Buddies spurned a great chance to go ahead for a second time when Rory Loy missed from the penalty spot. 

In the end it was a point a piece, enough to move St Mirren to ninth following Ayr's defeat to Queen of the South.

Dumbarton started the match well and went close in the early stages when Darren Barr was on the end of a Robert Thomson cross. The veteran utility man broke into the box and saw his header crash off the top of the bar.

Saints grew into the game and good work from Gary Irvine on the right saw the Buddies win a corner. Stevie Mallan expertly pinged the ball onto the head of Gary MacKenzie who nodded just by the post.

And just like last week's win over Ayr, St Mirren got an early goal to ease the nerves at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. Cammy Smith's ball across found Kyle Magennis who was lurking at the far right side of the box. The 18 year-old controlled the ball before cutting inside and finishing low into the net for his third goal of the season.

The home support were buoyed and could have been celebrating a second goal just three minutes later had Saints not squandered a great counter. Smith rushed into the Dumbarton half but failed to pick out Mallan would who have been left one-on-one with Alan Martin in the Sons goal.  

It could've proved costly on the 20 minute mark when Sons were almost level. A teasing ball into the box by Robert Thomson was nearly turned into the net by Irvine as he scooped the ball over the bar. 

The visitors would find themselves level around 15 minutes later when loanee Lewis Vaughan finished neatly from the edge of the box after getting on the end of a long ball forward.

And yet the Buddies could have been back in front mere minutes later when Stephen McGinn was fouled inside the area. The skipper was pulled back by Barr leaving the referee with no hesitation as he pointed to the penalty spot. Rory Loy stepped up, having scored one in the win over Queen of the South a few weeks ago, but after a long delay saw his attempt pushed away by Martin. 

Half Time: St Mirren 1-1 Dumbarton

St Mirren came out after the interval in the mood with Stelios winning a free kick in 'Mallan territory' just eight seconds into the second period. It was indeed Mallan who took the set piece, watching as his curled effort was beaten away by the goalkeeper. 

McGinn then made the keeper work with a curled shot from 20 yards out, but it was ultimately easy enough for Martin to gather. 

Martin's contemporary, Billy O'Brien was forced into the next save as he dived low to his right to deny Andy Stirling. 

It was a pretty even game with both sides having a fair split of the possession without creating many clear cut chances. However, an opening fell to Mallan who looked certain to put St Mirren 2-1 ahead when he let fly with a rocket of an effort from the edge of the box only to see Martin tip it over the cross bar. 

Both sides were still trying to find a winner and Dumbarton fans thought that they had netted a second when Stirling's 80th minute free kick went just wide. 

Ex-Dumbarton midfielder Josh Todd almost got his first goal for St Mirren when he forced a good save from Martin. 

Ultimately it was not to be for Saints with Adam Eckersley picking up a second booking for a late challenge on Stirling going into stoppage time. 

But while a draw may not have been what Saints were after before the match, the Buddies have finally hauled themselves off the bottom of the table and give themselves a good chance of escaping relegation. 

Full Time: St Mirren 1-1 Dumbarton 

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis (Todd 82) , Mallan, McGinn, Stelios (Sutton 57), Smith, Loy (Gordon 90)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Quinn, Storie, Fjelde

Dumbarton: Martin, McCrorie, Buchanan, Carswell, Thomson, Stanton, Harvie, Barr, Smith, Stirling, Vaughan (Nade 76)
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Lang, Gallagher, Prior, Nuttall

Referee: Steven Kirkland
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Liam Butler

Attendance: 3,906

St Mirren were in scintillating form as they cut the gap at the bottom of the league to just one point with a stunning 6-2 win over Ayr United.

Goals from Stevie Mallan, Gary MacKenzie, Stephen McGinn, Kyle Magennis, Lewis Morgan and Cammy Smith gave the Buddies a third league win on the spin - the first time the club have done so since 2008.

It was another massive three points for Jack Ross' side as they aim to avoid relegation to Ladbrokes League One. 

Saints got off to the perfect start with just five minutes on the clock. It had been the visitors had had the better of the early pressure but would find themselves behind when Stevie Mallan drilled home from the edge of the box to put the Buddies ahead. It was the midfielder's 8th goal of the season as he picked the ball up on the edge of the box and sweetly finished it low into the far corner. It was the ideal way to ease any early nerves in a match that could play a significant part come the end of the season.

St Mirren took a firm grip of the match and doubled their advantage on 20 minutes when Gary MacKenzie nodded home. Kyle Magennis was tripped inside the Ayr half winning a free kick. Mallan stepped up to swing the ball into the box, picking out MacKenzie who peeled away from Conrad Balatoni and cushioned a header into the net.

And there was no let up from Saints as they went 3-0 up just moments later. Stelios, back in the team in place of the suspended Gary Irvine, did exceptionally well running down the right, twisting and turning his way into the area before picking out Cammy Smith. Smith's effort was blocked on the line as Ayr tried in vain to get the ball away from the danger area, but McGinn was on hand at the back post to guide it home. It was the perfect way for the captain to mark his 100th appearance for Saints. 

At 3-0 with just 23 minutes played you could be forgiven for thinking this was all an April Fools day prank. But this was very real and the Buddies were rampant. It really should've been four just five minutes later when nifty foot work from Mallan saw the 21 year-old open up space for the shot but he sent his attempt just wide of Greg Fleming's post. 

Saints fans were in dreamland and it was only going to get better when Magennis grabbed his second goal in the black and white with a little under 10 minutes to half time. McGinn did well to rob Alan Forrest of possession in the middle of the park with Smith picking up the loose ball. He slipped it through for Magennis who rounded Fleming and slotted home from the tightest of angles. 

Billy O'Brien had to be alert heading into the interval and he did well to push a low effort from Robbie Crawford by the post. 

Half Time: St Mirren 4-0 Ayr United

St Mirren were eager to start the second half the way they had finished the first and added a fifth goal just seven minutes in thanks to Lewis Morgan.

The winger, fresh from a man of the match performance in his Scotland U21s debut on Tuesday night, was played in with a delightful through ball from Loy. And the finish was every bit as pleasing as he walloped it beyond Fleming from the edge of the box.

However, Saints, and Morgan, were dealt a major blow 10 minutes later when he was stretchered off. The 20 year-old has attempt to run on to a flick on from Loy but clipped ankles with Mike Rose and fell to the turf in agony. It was a major blow to the youngster who has been in fine form for the side throughout the season. 

The match looked to be petering out with the atmosphere dipping after the injury to Morgan. But Ayr pulled a goal back when half time substitute Paul Cairney lashed home. Saints couldn't clear their lines from a United corner and the midfielder finished low into the net. 

And the Honest Men grabbed a second, much to the frustration of the home support who felt Stelios had been fouled in the build up. The Cypriot was clattered into by Cairney allowing the ball to fall to Craig McGuffie who crossed to Farid El Alagui with the striker reducing the deficit to three with a header that left O'Brien with no chance. 

But such was the character and desire St Mirren had showed throughout, they made it 6-2 a minute later with Smith grabbing a much deserved goal. Josh Todd jinked into the box before providing John Sutton with a wonderful cross. The Englishman headed into the ground and watched as it came off the post, only for it to fall kindly to Smith who knocked it home. 

It was the end of the scoring and saw Saints earn a massive three points to claw themselves to within just one game of today's visitors with a game in hand.

Full Time: St Mirren 6-2 Ayr United

St Mirren: O'Brien, Stelios, Baird, MacKenzie (Webster 86), Eckersley, Mallan (Todd 79), McGinn, Magennis, Morgan (Sutton 68) , Smith, Loy
Subs: Langfield, Gordon, Fjelde, Quinn, 

Ayr United: Fleming, Devlin, Boyle, Gilmour (Cairney 45), Rose, Crawford (Wardrope 61), Meggatt, Balatoni (McGuffie 25), Docherty, Forrest, El Alagui
Subs Not Used: Hart, Murphy, Moore, Harkins,

Referee: Gavin Duncan
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Assistant Referee: Alan MacFayden

Attendance: 4,620

St Mirren's dreams of winning silverware this season were ended at the final hurdle as the Buddies fell 2-1 to Dundee United in the IRN-BRU Cup. 

Rory Loy cancelled out Tony Andreu's first half opener for Ray McKinnon's side. But Thomas Mikklesen scored with a header to win it for the Tangerines.

United started the opening exchanges brightly with efforts from Andreu and Simon Murray going wide. The latter seeing his attempt go narrowly by O'Brien's near post and come off the side netting.

Stevie Mallan was fouled around 20 yards out after failing to shake off Willo Flood. The award of a free kick in what has become known as 'Mallan territory' was greeted with glee from supporters when the midfielder stepped forward to take. 

Loy, on loan from United's city rivals, went closest in the opening 20 minutes when he clipped the outside of the post. The striker nudged himself in front of the defender to get a toe on Lewis Morgan's ball in but could only watch it crack off the woodwork before going wide.

It was Morgan who arguably had the best opportunity of the match when he sent a shot just wide of Cammy Bell's far post. The young winger burst on to a flick on from John Sutton and broke into the box to go one-on-one with the keeper but watched in agony as 

United weren't far away from breaking the deadlock moments later when Andreu flashed an attempt just wide of the target. It was a warning sign from the striker who had scored twice at the Paisley 2021 Stadium when the two sides met just over a week ago.

However, it was St Mirren who looked the more likely and a wonderful teasing ball from Kyle Magennis would have yielded the opener had someone in black and white been there to attack. Adam Eckersley picked it up on the left side and swung it back in to meet Magennis who shaped for the shot only for Cammy Bell to smother.

And, frustratingly, United were ahead not long after when that man Andreu did what he had threatened to do when he buried the ball beyond O'Brien. Saints failed to clear their lines and the ball came back to the Frenchman outside the box who lashed the Tangerines ahead.

It could have been a setback but the Buddies weren't going to let it be as they levelled the game straight from kick-off. Sutton took kick off, playing the ball to McGinn who switched the play to Irvine who charged down the right wing before picking out Loy in space. The striker opened up his foot, tucking it into the far corner of the net.

Loy's goal was the perfect response and Saints were back in buoyant mood. Gary MacKenzie had a great chance to put St Mirren ahead just before half time as he climbed above the United defence to get his head on a Mallan corner but sent it wide. It would've been a fitting end to a first half where the Buddies were on top.

Half Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren

The second half looked set to be a cracker after an excellent first 45. But it didn't quite live up to its billing.

Mallan, celebrating his 21st birthday, had a go from a free kick early into the second period after Loy was felled right on the edge of the box. The midfielder elected to go low with the shot but it was blocked by Flood. 

There wasn't too much in the way of good opportunities for either side throughout. 

With just 15 minutes remaining, United took the lead for the second time in the match. Substitute Mikklesen rose above the St Mirren defence to bullet home Simon Murray's cross. It was a bitter blow for Saints who, try as they may, couldn't fashion any clear cut chances to get back into the match. 

Saints went close to grabbing another quick leveller when Mallan curled a shot just wide of the far post.

But it was the Tangerines who looked the more likely to grab a killer third when Ali Coote went close on two occasions only to see one whistle by the post and another well saved by O'Brien.

It wasn't to be for the Buddies and all efforts will now be focused on the vital run-in in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Full Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Eckersley, Magennis (O'Keefe 84), McGinn, Mallan, Morgan, Loy, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Webster, Fjelde, Whyte, Watters

Dundee Utd: Bell, Durnan, Edjenguele, Murdoch, Flood, Telfer, Robson, Coote (Donaldson 89), van der Velden (Mikklesen 58), Andreu, Murray (Nicholls 80)
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Dixon, Toshney, van der Struijk

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 8,089

St Mirren made it four wins from their last six league matches with their second win of the season over Queen of the South at Palmerston.

Goals from Stevie Mallan and Rory Loy either side of half time were enough to secure another valuable three points in the Championship relegation battle.

However, it was the home team who started the brighter of the two when Stephen Dobbie had the first opportunity. The veteran striker picked the ball up around 20 yards from goal but curled his effort straight into the arms of Billy O'Brien.

Queens were on the ascendancy in the early proceedings and went close again with just 11 minutes on the clock when Dominic Thomas saw an attempt come crashing off the cross bar after being laid off by Lyndon Dykes.

Thomas was causing problems and his ball across nearly saw Saints concede as it came off Adam Eckersley's head, beating O'Brien, before smacking off the post with the defender racing to clear off the line.

And it was Thomas again presenting the danger with O'Brien having to be alert as he tipped the winger's shot over after the St Mirren defence had failed to clear its lines from earlier attacking play.

The closest Saints had come in the match came two minutes later from a corner attack. Lewis Morgan, so often the out ball during the match, burst into the box and had a go seeing his goalbound effort blocked by Andy Dowie. 

But it was St Mirren who would take the lead just before the end of the first half. Cammy Smith burst forward and picked out Morgan who was charging down the left side. The winger put his ball into the box searching for Rory Loy and Smith, who had continued his run into the box, but neither could get on the end of it. However, it fell kindly for Mallan who took a touch to steady himself before blasting it low into the net to put Saints in front heading into the break.

Half Time: Queen of the South 0-1 St Mirren

The second half got off to a slow start but the Buddies would be two goals to the good less than ten minutes after the interval when Loy netted from the penalty spot. 

Morgan, so often St Mirren's greatest threat in the match, was pulled back by Scott Mercer after breaking into the box and getting to the byline. Saints had every penalty they had been awarded this season but there was no mistake from Loy as he sent Atkinson the wrong way to double the visitors advantage. 

St Mirren's tails were up, evidenced by an ambitious attempt from Mallan as he had a go from inside his own half after spotting Atkinson off his line, but it floated well wide. 

Gary MacKenzie got on the end of two corners around the hour mark and will feel he should have done better when he rose to meet the second one heading over the bar. 

Saints were well in control now and the impressive Kyle Magennis almost bagged a his second St Mirren goal after a great solo run. The midfielder - who scored his first senior goal at Palmerston earlier this season - burst forward before smashing it from outside the box only to see it pushed away by the Queens goalkeeper.

The hosts made a few substitutions in the hopes of salvaging something from the match but on both occasions O'Brien was equal to them - denying Dobbie and Dale Hilson.

In the end, Saints ran out comfortable winners and while today may not have been the day that Saints came off the bottom, they have given themselves a good opportunity to do so in the coming weeks.

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

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, McGinn, Mallan, Magennis (Storie 84), Smith (Stelios 90), Morgan, Loy (Sutton 79)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Fjelde, Todd

Queen of the South: Atkinson, Marshall, Dowie, Higgins, Rankin (Hilson 70) , Jacobs, Thomson, Thomas (Murray 82), Mercer, Dykes (Lyle 68) , Dobbie
Subs Not Used: Copland, Hamill, Fergusson, Carmichael

Referee: Andrew Dallas
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: Barry Reid

Attendance: 1,728

Match report pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures