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)

St Mirren booked their place in the final of the IRN-BRU Cup with a fantastic second half performance to see of The New Saints. 

The Buddies scored four goals in the last 30 minutes to see off the Welsh side and set up a final clash with Dundee United.

It was a scrappy start to the match, though Stevie Mallan had three chances for the Buddies within the opening 20 minutes or so. His first came after just three minutes when he picked the ball up deep in the New Saints half before unleashing a shot that nestled safely into the arms of Paul Harrison who was keeping guard for TNS. 

The midfielder then had a good opportunity on the 15th minute with a free kick from what has become known in Paisley as 'Mallan territory'. But he lashed the ball over the bar, as he did a few minutes later when he was laid off on the edge of the box by captain, Stephen McGinn. 

The skipper then went close on the half hour mark when he picked the ball up after a Sutton knockdown. He took a touch to compose himself before seeing his effort curl just over the bar. 

But the visitors soon grabbed a foothold in the match and should have been ahead when Ryan Brobbel's attempt was saved by Billy O'Brien. Soon after they won a corner from which Wes Fletcher should have scored as he header the ball off the outside of the post. 

The warning signs were there and TNS would strike with just a few minutes left of the first half. It was a Brobbel again who burst through and curled the ball sweetly beyond O'Brien to send the small contingent of Welsh supporters wild. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-1 The New Saints

The Buddies came out of the traps after the break with half time substitute Lewis Morgan causing problems down the left side. His trickery won St Mirren a corner and a free kick with neither coming to anything. But it was a show of intent after a disappointing first half and got the fans 

The match burst into life on the hour when the captain showed the way as he levelled the scores. It was a terrific strike from McGinn, his first since returning to the club in January, to put the home side back ahead. 

Saints, buoyed by the equaliser, started to turn the screw with McGinn at the forefront. And the game was set to swing in St Mirren's favour when the captain was chopped down 25 yards from goal by Steven Saunders. The TNS defender picked up a red card for the foul and gave away a free kick in the process. Up stepped Mallan who curled it a low into the left hand corner of the net to put St Mirren ahead. 

The Buddies were ahead and had a man advantage which they would really press home in the closing stages of the match. With just over 10 minutes to play the hosts won a penalty kick after Aeron Edwards hand-balled Morgan's attempted cross into the box. John Sutton stepped up to take but Harrison was equal to it as he dived the right way and pushed the ball wide. 

However, that couldn't dampen things for the Buddies - or Sutton himself - as he scored just a minute after the miss. Kyle Magennis drove into the box before cutting the ball back for the Englishman, who would make no mistake as he cannoned the ball into the net. 

And there was still time for Saints to add a fourth to cap off a fine second half display. Mallan laid off a free kick on the left side to the unmarked Rory Loy who fired it low beyond Harrison to put the seal on a good days work for the Buddies who will now have a cup final match against Dundee United to look forward to.

Full Time: St Mirren 4-1 The New Saints 

St Mirren: O'Brien, Stelios, Davis, Baird, Eckersley (Irvine 90), McGinn (Fjelde 87), Storie (Morgan 45), Mallan, Magennis, Loy, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Whyte, O'Keefe

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriot, Baker, Brobbel (Sergeant 68), Fletcher (Draper 81), Mullan, Saunders, Rawlinson, Cieslewicz (Quigley 68), Edwards
Subs Not Used: Wycherley, Leca, Darlington, Pryce

Referee: Keith Kennedy
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: Anthony Cooper
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 2,044

A late Conor O'Keefe goal sealed a thrilling 4-3 win for the St Mirren U20s over Kilmarnock last night at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The young Buds were 2-0 ahead on the half hour mark after goals from Josh Todd and Ryan Watters. Kilmarnock levelled the scores soon after before taking the lead half way through the second half. But Saints weren't to be beaten as O'Keefe scored twice to win the game. 

It was Todd who put Saints ahead as he slipped the ball under the legs of the goalkeeper on 20 minutes after being played through by Kalvin Orsi.

Then, 10 minutes later, O'Keefe was bundled over in the box with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Watters stepped up and tucked the ball into the corner of the net to double the advantage. 

But just six minutes later the visitors were back on level terms. Jack Paterson pulled their first goal back with a tidy finish from the edge of the box before Killie levelled after a lightening quick break from a Saints corner. 

And they could have been mere moments later when a wicked swerving effort from Adam Frizzell was superbly pushed over the bar by Chris Henry. 

Kilmarnock started the brighter in the second half and were ahead on 66 minutes through Frizzell, who slid in to knock a cross from the left into the net. 

But like Saints lead would only last six minutes, the Killie's only lasted three when O'Keefe lobbed the goalkeeper from narrow angle on the right side. 

With time ticking away a draw looked certain, only for O'Keefe to break through and lob the keeper for a second time with 94 minutes on the clock to secure three points in the most dramatic of circumstances.

The current standings in the SPFL Development League are available here.

St Mirren: Henry, McNaughton, Barclay, Fjelde, Gordon (McDonald, 45), Whyte, Todd, MacPherson, Watters (Pignatiello, 70), Orsi, O'Keefe
Subs Not Used: Willison, Johnston, Fawkes, McKendry

Kilmarnock: Lyle, Webb, Lidington (McFadzean, 57), Queen, Clark, Hawkshaw, Whittaker, Frizzell, Cameron (Morrison, 78), Paterson (Curtis, 62), McLean
Subs Not Used: Dempsie, Kayode, Cobain

Lewis Morgan played the role of super sub as he scored twice after coming off the bench to help St Mirren seal their place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup. Cammy Smith opened his account for the Buddies in the first half before Morgan scored a double following Chris Duggan's early second half penalty that had gotten East Fife back on level terms. Duggan scored again from the spot with the very last kick of the ball but it wasn't enough to prevent Saints from making the draw for the last eight.

Saints were in control in the early period though the blustery conditions were making it difficult for both sides. Indeed the wind almost played a massive part with just five minutes on the clock. Stelios Demetriou, making his first start for the Buddies, launched a high ball in search of Rory Loy when the gail blew it over the head of East Fife goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow who had to chase back and grasp the ball with Loy trying to pounce.

East Fife had a glorious chance to put themselves ahead just before the 20 minute mark through substitute Chris Kane. Initially a corner was headed back out by the Buddies, but only as far as Nicki Paterson who whipped the ball back into the six yard box to meet Kane's head with the defender putting too much on it. 

The home side thought they had the lead as the game approached 30 minutes, only to see it ruled out. The ball was whipped in from a corner but Saints keeper Billy O'Brien was fouled as the ball made it's way into the net. 

And it was Saints who would go ahead mere minutes later after a good old fashioned stramash in the box. The wind was again wreaking havoc when the ball was whipped into the box and East Fife's keeper couldn't gather before the defence failed to clear their lines. Stephen McGinn then had a shot that was blocked before Smith finally poked the ball home with a tidy finish.  

The Buddies were clearly buoyed by the goal and were on the ascendancy as Gary MacKenzie went close to doubling Saints' lead five minutes before half time. The big centre half rose above his East Fife counterpart to get his head on a tremendous Adam Eckersley cross, but it went just by the post.

Half Time: East Fife 0-1 St Mirren

East Fife started after the break well and went close on two occasions early in the second half, in between a good chance for Kyle Magennis. First, Duggan saw a shot from outside the box flash just wide before the home side were certain they were level through Scott Robinson. The forward lobbed O'Brien and had looked to have equalised for his side, only to see Harry Davis slide in and clear just at it looked to creep over the line. 

But it only took them two minutes after this to get on level terms. Davis, the hero moments earlier, fouled Ross Brown in the box leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Duggan stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly dispatched it beyond O'Brien to make it 1-1.

The hosts looked bright after the goal which prompted Saints manager Jack Ross into action as he introduced John Sutton and Lewis Morgan in place of Loy and Craig Storie. 

It would pay dividends as St Mirren were ahead with 20 minutes to go. Stevie Mallan picked the ball up in the middle of the East Fife half and drove towards goal before delightfully picking out Morgan who finished beyond Goodfellow after creating good space for himself down the left to give the Buddies the lead for the second time in the match.

And it could've been 3-1 just a minute later when Smith found himself in space inside the box but, after getting himself into a shooting position, the forward fired wide.

Saints would make it 3-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining when Morgan scored with a stunning effort to book the Buddies place in the last eight. The 20 year-old picked the ball up around 25 yards from goal before curling it beautifully into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

That was all but game over though the hosts would get themselves on the scoresheet again with the final kick of the ball when they won a second penalty. Duggan stepped up once more and make no mistake from the spot again as he sent O'Brien the wrong way. However, as soon as the ball was retrieved from the net, referee Don Robertson blew his whistle and with it confirmed The Buddies place in the next round.

Full Time: East Fife 2-3 St Mirren 

St Mirren: O'Brien, Stelios, Davis, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Storie (Morgan, 66), Magennis, McGinn, Mallan, Smith (Fjelde, 90+1), Loy (Sutton, 57)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Baird, Irvine, Clarkson

East Fife: Goodfellow, Watt (Kane, 12), Slattery, Page, Kerr, Brown (Insall, 75), Duggan, Smith (Lamont, 66), Robinson, Penrice, Paterson
Subs Not Used: Flockhart, Austin

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Kylie McMullan
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge

Attendance: 1,483

A first half 25-yard strike from, Conor O’Keefe, saw the St Mirren Development team leave Hamilton’s SuperSeal stadium with their heads held high but without a single point, after losing 3-1 against Hamilton Accies.

The Accies were off to a flyer when a Hamilton attack in the fourth minute saw a headed shot pushed on to the post and out for a corner in the first minute.

Hamilton remained dominant in possession and harassed the Buddies defence. The Saints could not clear their lines well enough and keeper Chris Henry saved an ambitious shot just four minutes later but could not keep the ball out of the path of Hamilton midfielder Ronan Hughes who pounced to put the ball in the St Mirren net.

The young Buddies grew into the game and began to create attacks from keeping better possession. It took nearly 20 minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock following wave after wave of missed opportunities and careless mistakes.

Josh Todd received the ball, in the 26^th minute of the game, on the left hand side and after a touch to set up the strike from 25 yards; he curled the ball past Darren Jamieson and into the top corner of the Hamilton goal.

St Mirren created more chances and a great ball whipped in from a corner was ruined after the ref stopped play for a foul on a Hamilton defender inside the box. An end-to-end half was finished with an Accies shot that was wide of the mark.

HALF TIME: Hamilton 1-1 St Mirren

The Saints started the second half how they ended the first, with some fine attacking play and flowing possession. But Hamilton regained the lead on the 49^th minute when their first attack of the half put them in front once more through Ryan Tierney.

Two minutes later, Buddies keeper Henry calmly dealt with a cross from a free kick and from there a St Mirren attack was built but unfortunately saw the ball go just wide of the post.

The Paisley team grew from strength to strength as they continued to bombard the Hamilton defence and a great spell of play saw a long pass from left back, neatly controlled pass from O’Keefe’s shoulder.

The touch was so good O’Keefe got a shot away, in the 53^rd minute, after he ran into the box and forced a great save. Accies keeper Jamieson must have been relieved as the thunderous strike from O’Keefe was sure to be his second of the game if it had hit the target.

The game remained tight until the dying minutes when a Hamilton striker was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty with just five minutes left to play. Tierney slotted the penalty away to make it 3-1 to the hosts.

The hard-working Saints could not put away any more of their chances as efforts from Josh Todd were held by the Hamilton goalkeeper.

FULL TIME: Hamilton 3-1 St Mirren