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

St Mirren's hopes of survival were boosted with a win over title chasing Dundee United in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Goals from Harry Davis, Stevie Mallan and Lewis Morgan helped the Buddies close the gap on Ayr United at the bottom of the league to just one point and send home the Paisley faithful delighted. 

Saints got off to a dream start when Harry Davis put the home side ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. Stevie Mallan threw in an early free kick that was knocked on by Rory Loy to John Sutton who headed into the path of the English defender. Davis flicked it beyond Cammy Bell at the near post to give Saints a lead with just 100 seconds gone.

The visitors looked to get themselves back into the matches but Saints were doing well in the opening exchanges. Warning signs were there Smith robbed of the ball by Telfer who burst forward and sprayed it out wide to Nicholls. But the on-loan winger's attempted return pass to Telfer was well cut out.

Saints failed to clear from a United corner and the ball eventually found its way back to Tony Andreu who stroked home. It was a bitter blow for the Buddies who had been comfortable throughout.

United were clearly buoyed by the goal and started looking dangerous when they came forward. Gary MacKenzie had to be strong as he headed away a free kick from Charlie Telfer.

But it was the Buddies who would go 2-1 in front when Stevie Mallan scored. The midfielder - making his 100th start for the Saints - stepped up to take a free kick after Rory Loy was tripped by Willo Flood.

And the 20 year-old made sure he marked the milestone appearance in style as he caught Bell unaware, with the goalkeeper expecting a cross, firing it low into the back of the net to put St Mirren ahead for a second time. 

There was concern just before half time when goalscorer Davis had to be stretchered off with a suspected knee injury.

With the match heading to the break with Saints ahead, the Buddies were unlucky not to add a third when Sutton headed just by the post from a corner kick. 

Half Time: St Mirren 2-1 Dundee United

The visitors started the half in bright fashion and will feel they should have been ahead on 48 minutes after a foul by Gary Irvine gave them a free kick on the left hand side. It was a dangerous looking ball that Billy O'Brien could only tip away before Flood swung it on to the head of Andreu whose header cracked the post.

United went close again a few minutes later after a quick break and good passage of play saw the ball find it's way to Telfer on the edge of the box. The midfielder lashed it inches over the bar. 

And how the Arabs would rue those missed opportunities on the hour mark when Lewis Morgan gave Saints a cushion. Smith did well to race down the right channel before expertly picking out Loy who looked odds on to score. However, his effort was blocked inside the six yard box but fell kindly to Morgan who - like teammate Mallan had been called up for the Scotland U21 squad this afternoon - was on hand at the back post to smash it into the net.

But United weren't out of it as they pulled a goal back 10 minutes later. It was Andreu as the double as the Frenchman did well to twist and turn before curling home from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit for one. 

They were creating the most and having the bulk of possession making the final stages tense for St Mirren.

Then Morgan had a glorious opportunity to put the seal on the victory after being laid off by substitute Kyle Magennis in space but fired the shot over. It wasn't to matter though as Saints held on for what could prove to be a huge three points come the end of the season.

Full Time: St Mirren 3-2 Dundee United

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Davis (Baird 41), MacKenzie, Eckersley, Smith (Storie 81), Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Loy (Magennis 68), Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Fjelde, Todd

Dundee United: Bell, Dillon, Durnan, Edjenguele, Robson, Flood, Fraser (Mikklesen 31), Telfer, Murray (van der Velden 78), Nicholls (Coote 63), Andreu
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Donaldson, Dixon, Murdoch

Referee: Greg Aitken 
Assistant Referee: Mark McLean
Assistant Referee: David McKniff

Attendance: 2,766

St Mirren cut the gap at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship to four points after a goalless draw with Dunfermline at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Both sides had chances throughout the match but in the end neither could make the breakthrough with both earning a point.

Saints started off brightly with Lewis Morgan winning an early corner before dragging a shot wide of Sean Murdoch's goal. 

But, as was the nature of the entire match, it was end-to-end stuff with Paul McMullan setting up Kallum Higginbotham with a good chance. However, Billy O'Brien did well to block. 

And a minute later, Cammy Smith was almost through on goal after being played in by Josh Todd, who was making his first St Mirren start. But the loanee was thwarted by a Murdoch and a Pars defender who closed down before he could get his shot away.

Adam Eckersley almost got his first goal for the Saints when he let fly from 25 yards. The full back caught the ball sweetly on his left foot and he thundered it towards the top corner only to see Murdoch push it over the bar. 

Morgan was Saints biggest threat in the early proceedings with the winger sending one straight into the arms of Murdoch before flicking the ball just wide of the right hand post after a ball in from Gary Irvine.

The visitors started to grow into the match are a strong spell from the home side with Harry Davis having to clear a dangerous looking ball into the box by Jason Talbot. It went out for a corner where Nicky Clark got his head on it, crashing off the bar and going out.

Stephen McGinn had a decent chance on the edge of the box when he was picked out by Todd. But the captain sent his low volley wide.  

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline

Michael Moffat went close to giving the visitors the lead just 45 seconds into the second half when he fizzed the ball just over O'Brien's cross bar. 

Saints won a corner which Gary MacKenzie almost got his head on after an excellent delivery from Stevie Mallan, but it was well defended by Callum Morris. 

O'Brien made a great fingertip save to deny McMullan after the speedy forward went on a good solo run and unleashed a fierce effort which the goalkeeper had to touch over the bar.

Lewis Morgan had a gilt-edged chance on the break from Dunfermline's corner. Mallan robbed McMullan deep in the Dunfermline half and played it to Smith who picked out Morgan in acres of space. The winger took it first time, but his effort was weak and easily collected by Murdoch.

Saints tails were up though and Murdoch was made to work when substitute Rory Loy attempted to squeeze one it at the near post. 

The end-to-end nature of the match continued though with both sides searching for the breakthrough. O'Brien gathered from McMullan before Moffat created good space for himself in the box but couldn't get his shot away. 

The game started to peter out but there were still a few nervy moments for both teams going into the final ten minutes. 

O'Brien had to do well as he made a good stop to deny Michael Paton after a quick break from the Pars. It could so easily have been ended up in the back of Saints net but the keeper was alert to the danger and helped his side to earn a point and move closer to Ayr United in the table.

Full Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Davis, Eckersley, McGinn, Mallan, Smith (Stelios 80), Todd (Loy 54), Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield,  Baird, Storie, Fjelde, Magennis

Dunfermline: Murdoch, Talbot, Ashcroft, Morris, Herron, Geggan, Wedderburn, Clark, Moffat, McMullan, Higginbotham (Paton 74)
Subs Not Used: Gill, Fordyce, Cardle, McCabe, Reilly, Spence

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Assistant Referee: Connor Ashwood

Attendance: 4,582

It was a disappointing night for St Mirren as they went down 2-0 to Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy. 

Two second half goals from Ryan Hardie gave the Stark's Park outfit a vital win in the battle to avoid relegation in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Raith started the game off with a break straight from kick-off. Chris Johnston took the shot but it was straight at the Saints' keeper Billy O'Brien.

Play switched to the other end of the park instantly as St Mirren won a corner with Stevie Mallan to take. It was swung over and headed back out to Mallan by Harry Davis but play was stopped after Iain Davidson of Raith took a knock to the head.

The game continued to swing back and forth with a shot blocked by Lewis Morgan and a shot wide by Mark Stewart.

The home side were forced into an early change after Stewart picked up a knock in a challenge with Adam Eckersley earlier in the match. He made way for Ross Matthews.

With 25 minutes played it was still goalless and Rovers' defender Kyle Benedictus took an speculative shot from distance which O'Brien watched go high over his goal.

St Mirren had another shot blocked after Cammy Smith linked well with John Sutton and Mallan to get his shot away. The follow up corner was held well by Raith Rovers' recent signing Pavol Penska.

As the half wore on, Raith Rovers' pressure continued to build. Chris Johnston looked like he was through on goal but Eckersley stepped in at the last minute to nick the ball away to safety.

St Mirren then had an almost identical chance as Kyle Magennis broke up the right flank but before he could pull the trigger on his shot, Benedictus nicked the ball out for a corner that came to nothing.

The closest the Saints came to scoring in the first half came on the 38th minute as Smith played Morgan in and the midfielder's shot missed the target by the slimmest of margins.

It was Raith who had the final opportunity of the half after they won a free kick in a dangerous area but Declan McManus' shot came off the post and came to nothing as the first half ended goalless.

HALF TIME: Raith Rovers 0-0 St Mirren

St Mirren had a good opportunity to open the scoring early in the second half as the ball fell perfectly for Cammy Smith but his attempt was straight at Penska.

Raith then looked to break with McManus playing the ball forward but the receiving player was judged to be offside. The resulting free kick was whipped towards the Raith box and Harry Davis tried to control but his shot was well over.

The home side then had a shot blocked and as St Mirren broke up the park, Cammy Smith was hauled down by Iain Davidson, winning a free kick in a dangerous area. Both players were booked by Crawford Allan after a confrontation. The free kick was taken by Mallan but came to nothing in the end.

As the game got past the hour mark, both sides looked to make changes as Kyle Magennis made way for Josh Todd for the Saints and Ryan Hardie replaced Iain Davidson for Raith Rovers.

With a quarter of an hour left to play, the deadlock was broken. Raith Rovers had a throw in almost in line with the penalty area. The ball was played into the box and Ryan Hardie headed the ball past O'Brien to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Raith Rovers quickly doubled their lead as Hardie scored again. O'Brien's throw out went straight to the striker who rounded the keeper and buried it in the net.

Ryan Hardie had his chance at a hat trick after Raith got a free kick right on the edge of the box. He played it low but O'Brien got down and held the shot.

With four minutes left on the clock, Gary MacKenzie's bullet header was off target. This was St Mirren's last opportunity of the match as the home side took the three points.

FULL TIME: Raith Rovers 2-0  St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Stelios (Loy 74), MacKenzie, Davis, Eckersley, Magennis (Todd 64), McGinn, Smith, Mallan, Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Irvine, Baird, Storie, Fjelde

Raith Rovers: Penksa, Jason Thomson, Callachan, M'Voto, Benedictus, Johnston, Stewart (Matthews 20) , B. Barr, Davidson (Hardie 69) , McManus, C.Barr
Subs Not Used: Stevenson, Roberts, Coustrain, Skacel, Jordan Thomson,

Referee: Crawford Allan
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Assistant Referee: Willie Ferguson

Attendance: 2124

St Mirren exited the William Hill Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage despite a valiant performance at Celtic Park.

The Buddies took the lead against Brendan Rodgers' treble chasers, the first team to do so at Celtic Park since Barcelona in November, and held it for 45 minutes before succumbing to two quick fire Celtic goals. 

The hosts took a firm grasp of the match after taking the lead and went on to score two more before the final whistle. 

Jack Ross had named the same starting eleven that defeated Hibernian on Wednesday night with two goal hero Stelios Demetriou keeping his place at left back and academy graduate, Stevie Mallan making his 100th Saints appearance. 

Saints started brightly and were ahead after just 12 minutes when loanee Harry Davis got his second goal for the club. The Buddies won a free kick deep in Celtic half. Mallan played the ball down the left channel to Cammy Smith, who had sneaked away from Gary Mackay-Steven and whipped in a brilliant ball onto the head of John Sutton. The big striker cushioned his header towards Davis who was unmarked 

It was a dream start for the Buddies and the first goal that had been scored against Celtic in domestic cup competition this season. 

Celtic had chances to level the match with Scott Brown firing a shot wide, Stuart Armstrong seeing a free kick deflect off the wall and Moussa Dembele having the best of the lot when he scuffed a chance wide after having the ball laid on a plate to him by Brown. 

But St Mirren were still in the lead and far from under the cosh. A great through ball from Stephen McGinn found Sutton who had broken the offside trap. He charged forward only to be tackled by Dedryck Boyata just as he was bearing down on goal.

Half Time: Celtic 0-1 St Mirren

The Buddies started the second half strongly, winning a corner after Kyle Magennis put pressure on Tierney.

Mallan whipped the ball in towards the heads of Gary MacKenzie and Davis before the ball came out to Sutton at the edge of the box. The striker lashed it goalward, only to see it come off Erik Sviatchenko and go out for another corner. 

Saints went agonisingly close to making doubling their lead moments later when a Mallan free kick deflected off Dembele and cannoned off the cross bar. The midfielder decided to go for goal from the angle with Celtic's French striker clipping the ball off the underside of the woodwork.

It looked like it was heading in but came back out to Davis who attempted to head back across goal but couldn't connect with it properly. 

It was a huge wake up call for Celtic and the Hoops were ahead six minutes later with two goals in a minute.

The first came after Stelios wiped out substitute Leigh Griffiths on the right hand touchline. A free kick was awarded and the Cypriot went into the book. Patrick Roberts, on as a half time substitution in place of Mackay-Steven, swung the corner into the box where it glanced off the head of Mikael Lustig beyond O'Brien to get Celtic back on level terms.

And a minute later Celtic were ahead through Scott Sinclair. The ball was sprayed out to the right by Griffiths to find Sinclair who broke into the box and curled the ball high into the top corner of the net to turn the match in the Hoops favour.

The Hoops took control of the match and extended their lead on 67 minutes when Dembele stroked home from just a few yards out to kill off Saints hopes of causing a cup upset. Sinclair stole the ball in St Mirren's half and sped forward before sending the ball to Roberts. Roberts then played a neat reverse ball to the winger who continued his run into the box and sent the ball across the face of goal to Dembele who knocked the ball into the net. 

Saints weren't out of the match completely though and could've cut the deficit to one when Lewis Morgan went close, sending an effort from the edge of the box just beyond the far post.

It just wasn't to be St Mirren's day though with Leigh Griffiths completing the scoring with just over 10 minutes remaining. The striker picked the ball up around 25 yards from goal and lashed a low shot beyond O'Brien. 

In the end Celtic's quality showed but for Jack Ross and the team they can be proud of their efforts at 

Full Time: Celtic 4-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie (Baird 75), Davis, Stelios, Magennis (Storie 83), McGinn, Smith, Morgan, Sutton (Loy 70)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, O'Keefe, Fjelde

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Sviatchenko, Tierney, Brown, Bitton (Griffiths 54), Armstrong (Kouassi 77), Mackay-Steven (Roberts 45), Sinclair, Dembele
Subs Not Used: De Vries, Simunovic, Gamboa,  McGregor

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Fourth Official: Willie Collum

Attendance: 27,455

St Mirren made it four wins on the spin for the first time since 2008 with an assured victory over league leaders Hibernian at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Cypriot Stelios Demetriou was on the scoresheet twice as he scored either side of half time - his first goals since joining the Buddies in January. 

The Buddies started in hungry fashion and were unlucky not to be ahead with 13 minutes played when Kyle Magennis forced Ofir Marciano to work. Stevie Mallan sent an expert cross field ball towards John Sutton inside the box and the Englishman cushioned a header to Magennis who fired low into the right corner only to see the visiting goalkeeper tip the ball wide.

It was Magennis who went closest to opening the scoring again when he cracked the cross bar after a cross from Morgan. Morgan did well on a driving run to keep the ball in play and expertly picked put Magennis whose volley looked to be heading into the top corner before smashing off the bar and going over. 

Saints had been on top but minutes after Magennis' chance hit the bar, the Hibees were almost ahead. John McGinn played in a wonderfully teasing cross that just evaded Efe Ambrose, making his Hibs debut, thanks to the fingertips of Billy O'Brien who clawed the ball away.

And the Buddies took a well deserved lead 10 minutes later when Stelios grabbed his first St Mirren goal. The full back charged down the flank and was expertly picked out by Mallan before cutting into the box and lashing it beyond Marciano at the near post to spark wild celebrations in the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Fraser Fyvie had a gilt-edged opportunity to get the Hibees back on level terms just before half time after coming on to McGinn's pass inside the area but he fired well over.

HALF TIME: St Mirren 1-0 Hibernian

The second half was barely a minute old when Stelios struck again to double Saints advantage. He took the ball from Morgan on the left side before cutting in on his right foot and driving the ball low to the near post where it kissed the post on its way into the net. It was a fabulous start to the second half and gave the Buddies a cushion.

Saints were buoyant and Cammy Smith went close on two occasions. The first, a shot dragged wide from 25 yards, but the second looked like it was heading in for the far corner 

Captain, Stephen McGinn was next to go close as he forced Marciano to stretch as he tipped McGinn's effort just by the post. It gave St Mirren a corner that was only half dealt with by Hibs before falling to Morgan who left fly from outside the area with the shot whistling just over the bar. 

As Saints looked to extend their lead the fragility of a two goal deficit was almost shown when O'Brien was called into action a minute later as he made a tremendous double save to deny Martin Boyle and then Grant Holt. It looked as though Hibs were destined to pull a goal back at a vital stage in the match but the loanee did brilliantly well to keep his hopes of a clean sheet alive. 

Still though it was St Mirren who were doing the creating and Harry Davis was unlucky to see one cleared off the line after getting on the end of a scramble from a Saints corner. 

And with just over ten minutes to go, Lewis Morgan should have made it 3-0 after a neat exchange between Magennis and Mallan found the 20 year-old winger in acres of space inside the box, but he dragged it wide of the left hand post. 

That was to be the last clear cut chance for either side in the match as Saints saw out the closing minutes comfortably to secure another huge three points in the battle to remain in the Ladbrokes Championship

FULL TIME: St Mirren 2-0 Hibernian

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine (Fjelde 62), MacKenzie, Davis, Stelios, Magennis (Todd 86), S.McGinn, Smith (Baird 90), Mallan, Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Loy, Storie,

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, McGregor, Ambrose, Stevenson, Bartley (Holt 59), J.McGinn, Shinnie (Keatings 70), Fyvie, Boyle (Graham 78), Cummings
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, McLean, Crane, Martin

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: David Burns

Attendance: 3441

St Mirren grabbed a vital win in the Ladbrokes Championship as they overcame Ayr United at Somerset Park.

Second half goals from John Sutton and Lewis Morgan sealed a 2-0 win for Jack Ross' side and boosted their hopes of climbing off the bottom of the league, with the gap over the Honest Men cut to five points.

All the pressure was on the Buddies going into this match and they started brightly in the opening exchanges. Indeed they could have been ahead within the first few minutes when Kyle Magennis had a shot blocked inside the Ayr box. 

And similar happened less than 10 minutes later when Lewis Morgan and Harry Davis both saw efforts denied following a corner kick before Morgan scuffed wide. 

Ayr started to grow into the match without putting any real pressure on Billy O'Brien in the Saints goal. But it was St Mirren who were continuing to create clear cut opportunities with John Sutton sending a shot over the bar after Cammy Smith's deflected effort fell into his path. 

Stephen Mallan went the closest on the half hour mark with a 25 yard drive that had to be pushed over the bar by United keeper Greg Fleming. 

Still Saints kept on the pressure winning three corners in quick succession before Smith sent a curling effort over. 

Half Time: Ayr United 0-0 St Mirren

For all St Mirren's chances, they couldn't break the deadlock before the half time interval. But it wouldn't take long into the second period before the Buddies got their rewards. 

Mallan sent a glorious through ball to John Sutton who charged forward one-on-one with the onrushing goalkeeper before taking the ball around him and finishing from a tight angle to spark joyous celebrations in the away end. It was no more than the Saints deserved and 

There wasn't much between the sides in the next 10-15 minutes with Ayr plotting a way back into the match and the Buddies searching for a second goal to give themselves a cushion. That could have come for the away side on the hour mark when Smith went so close to making it 2-0. The midfielder turned on the edge of the box and got his shot away only to see it stopped by the fingertips of Fleming who knocked it on to the post before gathering. 

Ayr made all their changes by 65 minutes and while they were trying to press forward they still weren't causing O'Brien any danger. But the goalie had to be alert with 15 minutes to go, doing well to come and bravely punch the ball before winning a foul. 

It looked certain that it would be a nervy end to the game for Saints before a deadly counter attack wrapped up the points for the visitors. The ball was played in to Morgan, who had sped up the left hand side, by Magennis before the 20 year-old kept up his good run of form by lashing a shot from the edge of the box into the far corner beyond Fleming's grasp. 

It was a goal that gave St Mirren that all important cushion heading into the final few moments with Ayr pressing forward in an attempt to salvage something from the match. Davis cleared one off the line with less than five minutes to go before O'Brien made a good save to deny Gary Harkins from a freekick. 

In the end it was St Mirren's day as they grabbed their third league win of the season to narrow the gap at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship. 

Full Time: Ayr United 0-2 St Mirren

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

Ayr Utd: Fleming, Devlin, Boyle (Wardrope 45), Murphy (Forrest 65), Moore, Harkins, Cairney, El Alagui, Adams (Rose 33), Meggatt, Balatoni
Subs Not Used: Hart, Gilmour, McGuffie, McKenna

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: Brian Templeton
Assistant Referee: Thomas Shaw

Attendance: 2712 (1244 St Mirren fans)