St Mirren had to battle back from a goal down on Saturday to get a share of the points in a 1-1 draw in the Ladbrokes Championship match against Dumbarton at The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.

St Mirren started the early exchanges well but despite coming close on a couple of occasions they found themselves a goal down on 15 minutes when the home side caught Saints on the break and played the ball into the penalty-area which was swept past Scott Gallacher by Andy Stirling to open the scoring.

Saints battled their way back into the game and got a deserved equaliser four minutes before the half-time break when Tom Walsh’s cross picked out Ryan Hardie who headed the ball into the back of the net.

Both sides had chances to win the match in the second half but had to settle for a share of the points.

Official Website photographer, Allan Picken was at The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium to capture all the action.

© Allan Picken Photography.

SAINTS came from behind to take a point from a hard fought encounter against Dumbarton. Both teams had chances to win it, but for Saints, who remain winless, it was an improved showing on the outing against Queen of the South, but one still leaving lots of room for improvement.

Saints were dealt a low prior to kick off when Jamie Langfield was ruled out having sustained an injury in the warm-up. Scott Gallacher replaced him in the starting eleven.

Other than the goalkeeping issue there was only one change to the team so comprehensively beaten seven days previous. That change saw Jack Baird replacing Andy Webster who joined a fit again Calum Gallagher on the bench alongside Lawrence Shankland and David Clarkson.

It was a decent enough start from the Buddies who twice inside the opening fifteen-minutes came close. Ryan Hardie spun his marker and fired over in the early exchanges and Gary MacKenzie saw his header from a corner blocked on the line.

In-between these chances the home team had forced Gallacher into action with the keeper saving well from Robert Thomson who then lifted the rebound over. All this after MacKenzie looked to have got away with a poor challenge inside the area.

If this was a warning for what looked like a nervous and fragile Saints defence it was one they failed to take any notice of. With quarter of an hour on the clock Dumbarton broke down the right and when the ball was centred Andy Stirling was all alone front and centre to easily sweep home.

If there were concerns as to the durability and resilience of Saints this weekend they proved unfounded as far from retreating into their shell they went on to boss the remainder of the half. It was more a case of chances to create chances rather than glaring openings, but there was enough on show to keep the travelling fans on side.

Eventually the pressure told with Saints getting parity a little short of the interval. Ryan Hardie nodding home a precision header having been well picked out by Tom Walsh; fitting that the two most dangerous looking players combined.

However there was almost an immediate sucker punch from the Sons. Josh Todd held the ball up, rolled in Joe Thomson who saw his thumping drive blocked by Gallacher to avoid an almost carbon copy of seven days previous when Queen of the South hit back immediately.

Half-Time: Dumbarton 1-1 St Mirren

Staying level ensured Alex Rae was afforded the opportunity to give a very different team talk within the confines of the dressing room at half time. Clearly the message would have been there was enough to suggest we could profit going forward, but to be very wary of being picked off on the counter.

Steven Aitken in the home dressing room would also have had his say and his team started way better after the break. Danny Harvie should have scored when left all alone for a free header six-yards out and the hard to handle Thomson clipped the outside of the woodwork having got in behind the defence onto a long diagonal ball.

By the hour mark it was all Dumbarton with Thomson causing no end of problems for a Saints defence struggling to cope with anything in behind or anything in the air. Gallacher was an increasingly busy figure with one good stop from David Smith causing the keeper to receive prolonged treatment.

For a time it was corner after corner raining down on the Saints goal, but to be fair they coped well with them. Closest Dumbarton came was another header from Harvie.

Alex Rae made changes with Lewis Morgan and Ryan Hardie making way for Calum Gallagher and Lawrence Shankland, but in between them Darren Whyte made his first team debut coming on to replace Kyle Hutton.

Eventually Saints rallied and produced chances of their own. Hardie headed wide when he ought to have done better, John Sutton saw a scuffed effort skid wide of goal with Martin scrambling across his line and the keeper saved well from a Calum Gallagher volley.

The final chance went the way of Dumbarton. Thomson got away from Scott Gallacher, but a combination of the keeper and MacKenzie prevented a certain goal even if the home bench felt it should have been a penalty.

Full-Time: Dumbarton 1-1 St Mirren

Dumbarton: Martin, Pettigrew, J. Thomson, Buchanan, Todd, Gallagher, R. Thomson, Harvie, Barr, Smith (Fleming 72), Stirling (Stanton 81).
Subs Not Used: Stevenson, McCallum, Wright, Kassarate, Ewings (GK).

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Irvine, MacKenzie, Sutton, Mallan, Hutton (Whyte 80), Baird, Walsh, Morgan (Gallagher 74), Hardie (Shankland 85).
Subs Not Used: Webster, Clarkson, McAllister, Langfield (GK).

Referee: Stephen Finnie.
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter.
Assistant Referee: Graham Fraser.

Attendance: 1,101.

Star Saint: Saints were shaky defensively at times and Scott Gallacher did well with a few stops, but the award goes to Tom Walsh who set-up the goal and sent over a string of good crosses deserving of better

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures © John Millar.

The Under-20 side's 100% start to the season was brought to an end on Tuesday evening as they went down 2-1 to Hibernian at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in a SPFL Development League match-up.

The Leith side were one-up at half-time but it looked as if Saints had saved a point with a late equaliser from Lawrence Shankland but an injury time goal from Hibs saw Saints suffer their first defeat of the new season.

Match report pictures © John Millar.

Saints slid to the bottom of the Championship table this afternoon after losing to Queen of the South in Paisley.

Derek Lyle curled Queens in front early on after good work from Stephen Dobbie, who was later denied by a great Jamie Langfield save. A stunning Tom Walsh over-head kick levelled things up towards the end of the half but a few minutes later Lyle scored again to ensure the visitors enjoyed the advantage at the break.

The game was as good as over as a contest by the hour mark, Lyle returning Dobbie’s earlier favour by sending him through to add the third. Lyle wasted a fantastic chance to complete his hat-trick before he was subbed, the closest Saints coming to reducing the deficit being when Lewis Morgan hit the post.

Saints had made two changes to the side that started last week’s seven goal thriller against Albion Rovers. Jason Naismith returned to the side in place of Jordan Stewart, who dropped out completely, with Ryan Hardie partnering John Sutton up front. Gary MacKenzie kept his place in defence as he made his home debut with Kyle Hutton lining up in midfield against his old club.

Saints created the first opening for the visitors, some miscommunication between Naismith and Langfield allowing Lyle to pinch the ball at the edge of the box but he lifted his shot well off target. Queens returned the favour by giving the Buddies a free-kick at the edge of the box when Mark Millar flattened Stephen Mallan. It was very much in his range and his effort was low and hard, however Lee Robinson did well to get across goal and turn it behind for a corner that MacKenzie headed into the keepers arms.

Moments later Queens took the lead. Dobbie was allowed to wander along the edge of the box and when the options appeared to have dried up, he back-heeled for Lyle and he curled a tremendous shot beyond the grasp of Langfield to put the Doonhamers in front.

Saints’ brightest moments were usually coming thanks to Lewis Morgan on the left, one of his crosses finding the unmarked Tom Walsh but he headed wide. Dobbie had a chance to double Queens lead when Jamie Hamill found him at the edge of the box with a free-kick, however he didn’t get a clean connection and his effort was dealt with by Langfield. Moments later he worked the Saints keeper properly. Dale Hilson took advantage of some hesitancy from Naismith to switch play across to Lyle and he delivered a fine cross for Dobbie, his header kept out by great save from Langfield.

Queens were looking comfortable and a foul just outside the box gave Lyle a chance with a free-kick in a decent position, however he sent his effort a yard or two over. Grant Anderson then scooped a shot over the bar before Saints drew level in spectacular circumstances. A cross from the left bounced off the head of Andy Dowie to Walsh, who conjured up a wonderful overhead kick that flew past Robinson before the keeper had even seen it.

That briefly transformed Saints and Walsh almost completed the turnaround seconds later, his shot inches away from the bottom corner. However, no sooner had that happened than Queens were back in front. Anderson outpaced Andy Webster to the ball and got to the byline before crossing for Lyle to slide in and score his and his side’s second. On this occasion the Saints response was immediate, Robinson doing well to turn Ryan Hardie’s powerful effort behind for a corner which led to MacKenzie’s header being hacked off the line.

Half-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Queen of the South

Despite being behind, Saints had finished the half with some momentum and should have been level shortly after hostilities resumed. A tremendous Walsh cross picked out the unmarked Hardie lurking at the edge of the six yard box, however his header was weak and Robinson was able to save. Queens were then forced into a change, Jake Pickard replacing the injured Mark Millar.

The Buddies were enjoying a bright spell but it came to an abrupt end. After Robinson sent a poor free-kick straight through to Langfield, the Saints keeper tried to take advantage of his opposite number being out of position by launching the ball upfield. Queens won back possession and worked the ball forward to Lyle who slipped it through to Dobbie. The forward waited on Langfield committing himself before squeezing a shot home from a tight angle, Anderson lurking at the back post just in case the ball didn’t cross the line on its own.

Saints soon found themselves with a mountain to climb and John Sutton and Naismith were replaced by Lawrence Shankland and David Clarkson in a bid to find a way back into the game. However, before the hosts had carved out a chance Lyle should have had a hat-trick. Dobbie robbed Andy Webster at the half-way line and as he raced forward he spotted his unmarked strike partner. His square ball was perfect, however Lyle inexcusably shot over. Next time Dobbie went himself, his shot getting the better of Langfield but flying narrowly past the far post.

A corner gave Saints some hope of reducing the deficit, however as the ball dropped both Walsh and Clarkson went for it, the former’s effort going wide. Webster had been struggling to deal with the Queens attack and was replaced by Ben Gordon for the final 20 minutes or so. There would be no hat-trick for Lyle as shortly after he was replaced by Steven Rigg before Morgan almost gave Saints some hope, beating a couple of men before rattling the post from 20 yards. The youngster tried again a few minutes later, however Robinson easily held the long range shot. Late on, Rigg and Dobbie were unable to take chances to pile the misery on the Buddies, the home fans making their displeasure clear at full-time.

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

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith (Shankland 60), Irvine, Webster (Gordon 69), MacKenzie, Sutton (Clarkson 60), Mallan, Hutton, Walsh, Morgan, Hardie.
Subs Not Used: Magennis, Baird, O’Keefe, Gallacher (GK).

Queen of the South: Robinson, Hamill, Marshall, Dowie, Brownlie, Anderson (Brotherston 83), Millar (Pickard 53), Lyle (Rigg 71), Hilson, Dobbie, Jacobs.
Subs Not Used: Higgins, Moxon, Tapping, Atkinson (GK).

Referee: Barry Cook.
Assistant Referee: Jordan Stokoe.
Assistant Referee: Chris McTiernan.

Attendance: 3,102 (273 Queen of the South fans)

Match report and match gallery pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.

St Mirren continued their 100% win record on Tuesday evening as they won 2-1 against Aberdeen in a SPFL Development League fixture at Brechin City’s Glebe Park.

Saints took an early lead when Conor O’Keefe put the Paisley side ahead on 12 minutes. Greig McNaughton’s free-kick found its way to O’Keefe who fired the ball past Dons keeper David Craddock.

Within a minute Saints had doubled their lead when O’Keefe’s shot was saved by Craddock but the ball spun off the post then defender Sam Roscoe before nestling in the back of the net.

Saints were comfortably in control of the game as they saw the first half out but Aberdeen came out with more purpose in the second half.

The Paisley side looked to be coping with what Aberdeen were throwing at the them but the home side did get back into the game with 20 minutes remaining. A challenge on Scott Wright saw referee Chris Fordyce award a penalty-kick which was coolly slipped past Reece Willison by Bruce Anderson.

Aberdeen pushed for an equaliser but Saints hung in to claim the three points and keep their place at the top of the Development League.

St Mirren: Willison, McNaughton, Stewart (Barclay 55), Magennis, Gordon, McDonald, Flanagan, Whyte, Orsi, McLear, O’Keefe.
Unused Substitutes: MacPherson, Fawkes, Johnston, McKendry, Scally, Henry (GK).

Official Website photographer, Allan Picken was at The Exsel Group Stadium to capture all the action from Saints thrilling 4-3 victory.

Click any image to open a larger version of the photo. All content copyright Allan Picken Photography, no reproduction without permission.

St Mirren booked their place in the fourth round of the IRN-BRU Cup after a hard fought extra-time win over Albion Rovers. Saints found themselves 2-0 down early on but showed good resilience to score three goals in eight minutes to take the lead. However, Albion equalised moments later to level the scores at 3-3 going into the half-time break. A drab second half followed before Lawrence Shankland headed home to seal a 4-3 win for the Buddies. Saints were well worthy of the win as they controlled the game for the most part and will be pleased to have their name in the hat for the fourth round.

St Mirren started the game fairly well, winning a corner early on but found themselves one behind with just eight minutes on the clock when Ross Dunlop scored. A corner kick that was put into the Saints box was punched by Jamie Langfield, though the goalkeeper didn’t get enough contact on it and it fell to Dunlop who controlled the ball before belting it into the St Mirren net. It was a disappointing start that was only going to get worse when the other Dunlop, captain Michael, added his name to the scoresheet. Another corner was Saints undoing as the ball was swung deep into the box where Dunlop rose above the Saints defenders to bullet Albion into a 2-0 lead.

It was surreal stuff for St Mirren, to be two down with only 15 minutes on the clock and the pitch wasn’t helping as any time the ball was sprayed across the pitch it was bobbling. That was no excuse for the Saints and they know they were staring down the barrel of a cup upset in a competition that they made it to the semi-final stage of last season. Langfield had to be on alert when Ryan Wallace tried to catch the experienced goalkeeper out at his near post from a free kick but it was easily gathered.

Lewis Morgan gave St Mirren a lifeline when he smashed home on the half hour mark. It was a great effort from the youngster who has really made a mark on the first team this season, as he cut in from the right side and thumped the ball beyond Stewart from the edge of the box.

Saints started to get a grip on the game at this point as they controlled the play and were level a mere 5 minutes later through a stunning strike from Stephen Mallan. The 20 year-old, who scored 14 goals last season, went close two minutes before opening his account for the season with a long range shot that was pushed wide by Stewart. When Mallan did get his goal it could only be described as an absolute screamer. He picked the ball up in the centre of the park and leathered it, low and hard, into the left hand corner of the net leaving Stewart with no chance.

Saints were in full flow and the comeback was complete just 3 minutes later when John Sutton bulleted a header to send the travelling supporters into raptures. The striker leaped above his marker to power home Tom Walsh’s cross and put St Mirren ahead in dramatic fashion.

However, the ecstasy of coming from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 was short-lived when Ross Dunlop scored his second for Albion to level the scores just a minute later. It was a frustrating moment after having fought hard to complete the comeback. Dunlop found himself with time and space in the box and turned before firing the ball beyond Langfield to keep the drama going heading into half-time.

Half-Time: Albion Rovers 3-3 St Mirren

The second half had a lot to live up to after a blistering first half but it was a drab encounter after the break with neither side able to find the goal that would avoid going another 30 minutes for extra time. The half began with a half-time substitution for St Mirren, with youth prospect Andrew McDonald making his first team debut in place of Jordan Stewart.

Ryan Wallace, who was proving to be one of Albion’s trickier players, went close twice. Firstly with a free kick which went over the bar before an effort from outside the box which Langfield did well to tip the ball away from goal.

Saints were pushing for a winner and both Sutton and Morgan went close – the former with a header that went just wide and the latter having a shot from inside the box blocked by the Albion defence.

There was a huge cheer on the 76th minute with the emergence of Rocco Quinn who was making his comeback after a long injury lay-off had kept him out. Quinn showed his qualities when coming on with great composure on the ball and calming everything down.

There was no goal to be found before the 90th minute despite both teams going close in the closing moments and the game went into extra time.

End of 90 minutes: Albion Rovers 3-3 St Mirren

Saints were dealt a huge let off when Albion player/manager Darren Young blasted over the bar in the 96th minute. The manager, playing in midfield, was teed up in acres of space in the box but smashed the ball over the bar to the relief of the Saints defence. It was a huge chance for Albion who would rue missing that opportunity a few minutes later when Lawrence Shankland scored what turned out to be the game’s winning goal. The striker showed his attacking instincts as he was on hand to head into the net after strike partner Sutton’s deflected shot fell into his path.

Shankland’s day wasn’t done though as he picked up a booking just before the end of the first half of extra-time after a tangle with Albion’s Mark Ferry who received a second yellow and was sent off.

Both sides had half chances in the second half of extra-time – Saints to wrap up the win, Albion to take the game to penalties – but neither side could convert and it’s St Mirren whose name will be in the hat for the fourth round draw on Tuesday.

After Extra-Time: Albion Rovers 3-4 St Mirren

Albion Rovers: Stewart, Reid, Turnbull, M. Dunlop, R. Dunlop, Ferry, Fisher, Willis, Wallace (Gilmour 79), Stewart, McBride (Young 53).
Subs Not Used: Lightbody, Johnston, O’Kane, McManus, Potts (GK).

St Mirren: Langfield, Irvine, MacKenzie, Webster, Stewart (McDonald 46), Morgan, Hutton (Quinn 76), Mallan, Walsh, Sutton, Clarkson (Shankland 53).
Subs Not Used: Naismith, Baird, O’Keefe, Gallacher (GK).

Referee: Mike Roncone.
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny.
Assistant Referee: Ivan Stankovic.

Attendance: 711.

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures © John Millar.

The Under-20 side surged to the the top of the SPFL Development League on Tuesday evening with a convincing 5-2 victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The young Buddies came out the traps quickly and were a goal in front after 7 minutes when Lewis McLear forced the ball past Caley Thistle keeper Daniel Hoban. Four minutes later the lead was doubled when a great move ended with Kyle McAllister putting Saints two-up.

Saints went three-up on 22 minutes as Kalvin Orsi got on the scoresheet but ten minutes later the visitors hit two goals in the space of two minutes as Ali Sutherland netted first for Caley Thistle then Lonsana Doumbouya pulled another back from the penalty-spot ninety seconds later.

Four minutes before the half-time break Saints gave themselves a bit of breathing space again as Conor O’Keefe fired his shot past Hoban from ten yards out.

It took until 85 minutes for St Mirren to restore their three goal advantage when Lewis McLear netted for the second time in the match.

St Mirren: Langfield, McNaughton, Stewart, Magennis, Gordon, MacKenzie (Fawkes 78), McAllister (McDonald 46), Whyte, Orsi (Flanagan 67), McLear, O’Keefe.
Unused Substitutes: Barclay, McKendry, Johnston, Willison (GK).

Match report pictures © John Millar.

Tom Walsh’s 89th minute header rescued a point for St Mirren at Somerset Park. The midfielder nodded the ball beyond Greg Fleming after Lawrence Shankland launched one of his trademark throw-ins deep into the Ayr United box. A ruck of players, from both St Mirren and Ayr, attempted to get a head on it before it fell invitingly into Walsh’s path for the loanee to level the score.

The Buddies started the game off sluggishly and with less than a minute on the clock, Ayr’s Nicky Devlin missed an opportunity to really test Scott Gallacher in the Saints goal with a cross-cum-shot that lacked power.

It was the hosts who took the lead early in the first half when former Kilmarnock player Jamie Adams headed home. Brian Gilmour whipped in a free kick that Adams managed to get on the end of to head into the back of the net. It was a frustrating start for Saints who are looking to get their first league win of the season on the board.

The closest Saints came in the first half came on 24 minutes when David Clarkson ran on to a cross from John Sutton but the striker was unlucky to see the attempt go wide of the keeper’s near post.

It was a drab first half with not many chances for either side but the Buddies were dealt a huge let off with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. Gilmour did well to find ex-Saint Gary Harkins with time and space in the box but the midfielder failed to get the shot away and St Mirren mopped up the danger.

Half-Time: Ayr United 1-0 St Mirren

Saints played with more purpose after the break but the warning signs were evident immediately when, just a matter of seconds into the second half, Ayr had the ball in the net a second time but thankfully the linesman’s flag had already been raised.

The Buddies were growing into the match a little more and Ryan Hardie went close when he got on the end of a cross from Jason Naismith. The striker got his head to the ball but saw the effort pushed away well by Fleming. Fleming again foiled Hardie a minute later after the loan man was found brilliantly in the box by Clarkson. He burst in on goal but his shot was blocked with Sutton unlucky not to get something on the rebound.

Tom Walsh entered the match on the hour mark and within just six minutes of being on the field, sent in a good cross for Clarkson whose header went agonisingly wide of the post.

Walsh’s desire to have an impact on the game would not be denied when he grabbed the equaliser for St Mirren with the clock fast approaching the 90 minute mark. The Ayr United defence didn’t deal with Shankland’s throw and Walsh ghosted in to nod the ball beyond the helpless Fleming.

The drama wasn’t to end there though as Sutton was put clean through on goal a minute later when Hardie found him in acres of space inside the box but Fleming was equal to it. Ayr broke up the field and almost got themselves a late winner on the counter but Harkins’ effort went wide of the far post.

Full-Time: Ayr United 1-1 St Mirren

Ayr United: Fleming, Devlin, Boyle, Murphy, Meggatt, Cairney (Crawford 81), Docherty, Gilmour, Adams, Harkins, Nisbet (Forrest 64).
Subs Not Used: Rose, Thomas, O’Connell, McGuffie, Hart (GK).

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Baird, Webster, Irvine, Stewart (Walsh 60), Mallan, Hutton (Shankland 70), Hardie, Sutton, Clarkson.
Subs Not Used: McLear, Whyte, Gordon, McDonald, Langfield (GK).

Referee: Crawford Allan.
Assistant Referee: David Roome.
Assistant Referee: Derek Crothers.

Attendance: 2,165 (800 St Mirren fans).

Match pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Saints’ stuttering start to the season continued this afternoon as they were beaten at home by Hibs.

It was Jason Cummings who did the damage in the first half, the striker converting David Gray’s cross before taking advantage of a horrendous mix-up between Scott Gallacher and Jack Baird to grab his second. He had chances to complete his treble before the break as the visitors looked to kill the game off.

Often teams are made to pay for passing up such chances but today wasn’t one of those days. After a couple of openings were squandered, the game settled down until the final 10 minutes when there was a flurry of goalmouth action at both ends.

If you hadn’t known any better you’d have been forgiven for thinking it was a friendly. It took until six minutes from time for Saints to get a shot on target and had Hibs been put under any sustained pressure you got the feeling they would just have clicked up a few gears to deal with the problem.

Gallacher was back in goals at the expense of Jamie Langfield, one of three changes after the previous week’s defeat at Raith Rovers. John Sutton took over from Ryan Hardie up front and Tom Walsh replaced the injured Calum Gallagher. Hibs opted to leave new signings Andrew Shinnie and Brian Graham on the bench, Cummings starting up front with former Buddies John McGinn and Darren McGregor also in the team.

McGinn should have given the visitors the lead after 10 minutes. A cross from the left caused problems in the Saints defence and when the ball was cleared as far as David Gray he played it back in only for the unmarked McGinn to volley wide. Neil Lennon’s side were on top and it was little surprise they took the lead midway through the half. Lewis Morgan committed himself too early as he tried in vain to halt the progress of the rampaging Gray, the Hibs skipper getting to the byline before crossing for Cummings to slot home the opener.

For all that the visitors had seen plenty of the ball, they hadn’t exactly been creating a plethora of chances. However, Saints had enjoyed neither opportunities or possession, their first meaningful attempt on goal coming when Kyle Hutton intercepted a Hibs throw and teed up Stephen Mallan, who sent a 25-yard drive narrowly over the top corner of Ross Laidlaw’s goal. If that created some hope among the home fans, it wasn’t to last as their side was soon two goals down. Gallacher and Baird left a harmless ball to the other to deal with and Cummings didn’t need asking twice, immediately rushing in to mop up possession and squeeze a shot into the net from a tight angle.

The cautious optimism turned into vocal disgruntlement and there was no let up from Hibs, James Keatings not too far away with a hopeful 30 yard effort before Cummings was sent through only to shoot straight at Gallacher. The Saints defence was struggling to cope with the striker and another chance for the hat-trick arrived soon after, this time Gallacher saving it before reacting quickly to keep out Grant Holt’s follow-up effort. Brief respite came when Saints were awarded a free-kick but Mallan’s delivery was a little too deep and Andy Webster couldn’t get his header on target – much to the delight of the Hibs fans behind the goal. Their side resumed the hunt for a third and it almost arrived when Gray found McGinn at the edge of the box, the midfielder going close with a powerful effort.

Half-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Hibernian

Morgan, who’d been on the end of a hefty challenge early in the first half, failed to reappear after the break, Hardie replacing him. The young striker – who has scored in his last three games for Saints and Rangers under-20s – had a chance to make an instant impact as the ball dropped to him in the box, however he smashed his shot well off target. Hutton was first in the book for wrestling with Lewis Stevenson before Baird had a chance to partially redeem himself for earlier. Mallan’s free-kick was flicked on to the back post but the big defender couldn’t adjust himself quickly enough and he headed well over.

There was no cavalry charge to follow those chances, Hibs looking well in control without really threatening to add a third. Midway through the half Shinnie was handed his debut at the expense of Keatings with Saints putting David Clarkson on for Sutton, Jordan Stewart replacing Lawrence Shankland a few minutes later. Hibs responded with Graham being handed his first appearance in the fluorescent shirt when he came on for Holt.

Things got a bit more interesting in the final stages as the chances began to come. Shinnie went close to grabbing a debut goal when he shot just over from 20 yards or so before Saints finally managed a shot on target as Laidlaw held Clarkson’s effort. Shinnie again went close to scoring as he curled a shot over the bar but there was to be no hat-trick for Cummings, who was replaced by Martin Boyle for the final few minutes.

Mallan almost found the net with a spectacular free-kick that flashed just past the post before Stewart was booked for fouling Bartley. The free-kick almost provided Hibs with their third, Gallacher doing well to block Graham’s shot from close range. In the final seconds McGinn almost increased the misery on his old side as he rattled the bar with a howitzer, the ball dropping in front of the line before bouncing to safety.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Hibernian

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Irvine, Webster, Sutton (Clarkson 70), Shankland (Stewart 75), Mallan, Walsh, Hutton, Baird, Morgan (Hardie 46).
Subs Not Used: Whyte, Gordon, McDonald, Langfield (GK).

Hibernian: Laidlaw, Gray, Hanlon, Bartley, McGinn, Holt (Graham 76), McGeough, Stevenson, Keatings (Shinnie 68), McGregor, Cummings (Boyle 84).
Subs Not Used: Fyvie, Forster, Crane, Virtanen (GK).

Referee: Don Robertson.
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge.
Assistant Referee: Kevin McElhinney.

Attendance: 4,517

Match report and match gallery pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.