St Mirren suffered defeat as Kilmarnock came from behind to take the points and move above Saints in the cinch Premiership.

Goals from Charles Dunne and Mikael Mandron had St Mirren 2-0 to the good at the half-time interval. But four goals in 12 second-half minutes saw Kilmarnock turn the game on its head before David Watson added a fifth with just over 10 minutes remaining to ensure the points remained at Rugby Park.

There were four changes from the side that defeated Aberdeen in our last outing with Elvis Bwomono and James Bolton missing out due to injury and illness. Hyeokkyu Kwon and Lewis Jamieson also dropped to the bench while Charles Dunne, Ryan Flynn, Mark O'Hara and Conor McMenamin came in. 

The Buddies started brightly in front of a 2,500 strong travelling support who were making their voices heard. The first chance fell Saints' way when Mandron met a Caolan Boyd-Munce free-kick. But the striker couldn't get the connection that he would have wanted as he headed wide.

The good start was rewarded on 20 minutes when Dunne scored his first goal for the club. The defender reacted quickest to meet a loose ball from a corner and slammed into the net. 

Charles Dunne scores his first St Mirren goal (Image: Jeff Holmes)

Zach Hemming made a brilliant save with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining when, at full stretch, he touched Marley Watkins' header over. Still it was Saints on top and a handball appeal saw a VAR check for a St Mirren penalty heading into the final few minutes of the half. Nothing was given but from the corner that had resulted, Mandron swept home his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-0 to the delirium of the travelling support. 

The Buddies had a big opportunity to extend that lead early in the second-half when a cross found Mandron in the box but he dragged the effort wide and even though the offside flag was raised, replays appeared to show the striker was onside. 

Kilmarnock pulled a goal back just after the hour mark through their captain Kyle Vassell. His first effort was blocked but he managed to get a second bite at it and squeezed the ball under Hemming to reduce the deficit. 

The hosts then managed to draw themselves level four minutes later when Flynn was penalised for a challenge on Watkins in the box. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the VAR agreed with Danny Armstrong slotting low into the left-hand corner beyond Hemming who has dived the right way but just couldn't keep it out. 

That frustration turned to shock for Saints when Kilmarnock completed their comeback to go ahead on 68 minutes when Watkins headed into the far corner of the net to make it 3-2. 

Vassell added his second and Kilmarnock's fourth five minutes later when he met a long ball from Watkins and fired into the net. And with a little over 10 minutes remaining Watson rounded off the scoring with a solo effort after waltzing through the Saints defence and sliding the ball into the net.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 5-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Flynn (Jamieson 70), O'Hara (c), Boyd-Munce, Tanser (Brown 72), Kiltie (Ayunga 71), Mandron, McMenamin (Olusanya 66)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Baccus, Kwon, Scott

Kilmarnock: Dennis, Watson, Wright, Findlay, Deas (Ndaba 90), Armstrong (Stewart 82), Donnelly, Kennedy (McKenzie 82), Watkins (Van Veen 82), Vassell (Cameron 82)
Subs Not Used: O'Hara, Murray, Balagizi, Mackay-Steven

Attendance: 8,460 (2,481 St Mirren supporters)

It was the late, late, late show from Saints against Aberdeen as they conjured an escape to victory that even Sylvester Stallone would have deemed far fetched.

The Buddies had been behind from the first minute, an absolute screamer of a goal from Connor Barron. But despite Saints dominating the possession and creating chances throughout, it looked like that goal would be enough to give Neil Warnock his first win as Aberdeen manager.

But in added time, Saints were awarded a free-kick for a foul just outside the box on Toyosi Olusanya. Then VAR intervened and, after a lengthy delay, decided the foul had been inside the box. Returning skipper Mark O'Hara was cool, calm and collected from the spot to level things up.

Given the afternoon it had been, the fans would probably have been satisifed with a point but Saints weren't finished. As play resumed, Conor McMenamin flighted a ball into the box, the ball was headed back across goal by Mikael Mandron and Olusanya stabbed it into the roof of the net, sparking scenes of bedlam on the park and around three-quarters of the stadium as no points became a deserved three in the blink of an eye.

The away side hit the front in the opening seconds. The Saints defence seemed to have snuffed out the threat of Duk but the ball found its way to Barron around 30 yards from goal. The visiting support shouted at him to shoot and he duly did, unleashing a thunderbolt that sailed past Zach Hemming into the top corner to give the Dons the best possible start. Watching FIFA president Gianni Infantino would have been impressed.

Greg Kiltie's shot was easily dealt with by Kelle Roos as Saints tried to respond. They could have been level when the Dons goalie tipped Scott Tanser's header onto the post, resulting in a scramble that saw Lewis Jamieson's attempt to smash the ball home deflected wide – the VAR check that followed eventually deciding there was nothing worthy of a penalty.

Hemming got down well to parry Duk's shot as the visitors looked to double their lead before Jamieson went close again, meeting Caolan Boyd-Munce's inviting ball over the top with a tremendous volley that clipped the top of the bar, possibly with a bit of help from Roos. Mikael Mandron then went close with a header before another VAR check came up blank.

Jamieson was replaced by Toyosi Olusanya at the break but it was the Dons who threatened Hoilett drawing a good save from Hemming – although it proved irrelevant as the flag then went up for offside. That wasn't an issue when the ball fell to Graeme Shinnie 20 yards out but the Saints keeper saved easily. A neat passing move from the home side ended with Boyd-Munce picking out Elvis Bwomono but his volley found the side netting seconds before he was replaced by McMenamin, Jonah Ayunga replacing Kiltie at the same time.

Boyd-Munce smashed a shot over when the ball broke to him at the edge of the box before Aberdeen threatened again, Killian Phillips volleying over and Bojan Miovski firing a low free-kick straight at Hemming. Mark O'Hara and Richard Taylor replaced Boyd-Munce and Bolton as Robinson threw his final roll of the dice. Midway through four minutes of stoppage time Saints were awarded a free-kick just outside the box when Devlin fouled Olusanya – only for VAR to get involved for a third time. After what seemed like an eternity, it finally decided the foul had been inside the box. Skipper O'Hara was given responsibility from the spot and slotted it away with aplomb.

The lengthy delay meant four minutes of stoppage time was looking like a pipe dream and Saints took full advantage of the extra minutes. McMenamin crossed a ball to the back post for Mandron to head back across and Olusanya got in front of his man to force it into the net. There were limbs in the stands and scenes on the pitch as every player, including Hemming, celebrated an amazing turnaround.

There were still a few minutes to play but mentally Aberdeen were done, some visiting players sinking to the ground at full-time as the Buddies celebrations really got going.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Aberdeen

By Stuart Gillespie

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton (Taylor 81), Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono (McMenamin 63), Kwon, Boyd-Munce (O'Hara 81), Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 46), Mandron, Kiltie (Ayunga 62)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Brown, Scott

Aberdeen: Roos, Jensen, Gartenmann, MacDonald, Devlin, Barron, Phillips, Shinnie, Hoilett (McGrath 63), Duk (McGarry 64), Miovski
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Milne, Duncan, Clarkson, Polvara, Hayes, Sokler

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: John Stewart
Fourth Official: Calum Scott
VAR: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 7,019

A late Toyosi Olusanya goal grabbed Saints a share of the spoils in Dingwall as the Buddies drew 1-1 with Ross County.

An early Jordan White goal looked to have given the hosts all three points, but substitute Olusanya levelled with less than five minutes of normal time remaining to ensure Saints took a point back to Paisley.

Stephen Robinson named the same starting eleven that defeated St Johnstone on Saturday, while Mark O'Hara returned to the bench following injury in place of Ryan Flynn.

The hosts took an early lead after an uncharacteristic mistake from Alex Gogic on 11 minutes. The defender misplaced his attempted back-pass for Zach Hemming which allowed Jordan White to race on to the ball, round the goalkeeper and knock into the empty net to open the scoring.

County were buoyed by their lead but it was Saints who would have the next opportunity when a deflected strike from Caolan Boyd-Munce on the edge of the area that was well pushed away by goalkeeper George Wickens. 

Saints were seeing more of the ball as they looked for an equaliser. Greg Kiltie played a dangerous ball across the face of the Ross County box on 25 minutes but there were no takers for the Buddies. 

The visitors were denied a stonewall penalty in the final minutes of the first-half when County captain Ryan Leak handled the ball in the box. Hemming's long free-kick floated all the way into the box where Leak's hand was outstretched above his head but both the referee and VAR seemingly missed the incident. 

The Buddies looked to start the second-half quickly with Wickens making a decent save to turn away a curling effort from Lewis Jamieson inside the first minute of the restart. But with not much happening in the opening exchanges of the second 45, the manager made two changes just after the hour mark with Keanu Baccus and James Scott introduced in place of Hyeokkyu Kwon and Kiltie. 

Scott had an opportunity within four minutes of his introduction when he was found by Jamieson on the left-hand side of the box. The forward took a good touch to fashion the chance but saw his hit blocked by Michee Efete.

With just under 20 minutes remaining Saints made a further triple change as Jaden Brown, Toyosi Olusanya and Jonah Ayunga entered the fray with Elvis Bwomono, Jamieson and Mikael Mandron making way. Ayunga had a go from range within 90 seconds of coming on but the low strike drifted harmlessly wide. 

Saints would find an equaliser on 86 minutes when substitute Olusanya got himself in front of Loick Ayina to meet a Baccus header on and showed great composure to knock the ball beyond Wickens. There was a brief VAR check for offside but the goal stood. 

The Buddies should have won it a minute later when Scott was sent clear by Olusanya but he prodded wide of the target with Saints heading back down to Paisley with a point.

Full-Time: Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Header Image by Ken MacPherson

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono (Brown 71), Kwon (Baccus 62), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 71), Mandron (Ayunga 71), Kiltie (Scott 62)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Dunne, O'Hara

Ross County: Wickens, Efete (Brown 85), Ayina, Leak, King, Loturi (Jenks 58), Sheaf (Harmon 85), Reid, Brophy (Sims 69), White, Murray (Henderson 85)
Subs Not Used: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Baldwin, Khela

Referee: Chris Graham
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Fourth Official: Alastair Grieve
VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 3,142 (135 St Mirren supporters)

St Mirren put in a dominant display at the SMISA Stadium defeating St Johnstone 2-0 to collect three valuable points. 

Dimitar Mitov was credited with an own goal midway through the first period to put the hosts in front, before Mikael Mandron sealed the win with 25 minutes remaining in Paisley.

Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the starting eleven which started last week’s Premiership defeat at Livingston. James Bolton returned from suspension in place of Charles Dunne, who dropped to the bench, and Lewis Jamieson came in for James Scott in attack.

Following their home loss to Rangers last Sunday, the visitors made three alterations to their line-up. Kerr Smith replaced Ryan McGowan, while David Keltjens and Connor Smith dropped out in favour of Tony Gallacher and Nicky Clark.

St Mirren produced the first effort of the game on six minutes, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce seeing a strike from the edge of the box easily saved by Mitov in the St Johnstone goal. It was Boyd-Munce once again who threatened next, cutting out a loose ball from Liam Gordon before trying his luck from 20 yards. Gordon recovered to make the block and the visitors managed to clear the danger.

St Johnstone finally sparked into life on 13 minutes, as striker Adama Sidibeh flashed a dangerous cross across the home box from the right flank. Fortunately for Saints, there were no takers and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.

The Perth side began to find their feet in the game, forcing a series of set-pieces, but the St Mirren defence held firm to nullify any threats.

The Buddies had a set-piece opportunity of their own on the half-hour mark, as Jamieson showed quick feet to earn a free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ area. Boyd-Munce stepped up and curled a left-footed strike towards goal but Mitov was able to gather with ease.

Mandron became increasingly influential as the half wore on, and it was the striker who played a key role in breaking the deadlock. Finding himself with acres of room in the St Johnstone half, the Frenchman drove forward unchallenged before releasing a speculative strike from 20 yards. The ball took a nick off Gordon, struck the post and bounced into the net off the back of the despairing Mitov, much to the delight of the 5000+ home fans in the stadium.

The hosts came close to doubling their advantage moments later, but Mandron couldn’t keep his header down following a delightful cross from Greg Kiltie.

Tony Gallacher registered the visitors’ first effort on goal just after the break, but his strike from distance sailed high and wide of Hemming’s goal.

Mitov then produced two instinctive saves in quick succession to keep his side in the contest, first denying Mandron before keeping out Jamieson’s follow-up attempt. The impressive Hyeokkyu Kwon had a shot deflected over the bar on the hour-mark, before Kiltie sent a strike wide of the target from the resulting corner.

The hosts got the crucial second goal on 64 minutes as their pressure eventually paid off. Mandron’s performance was finally rewarded as he found himself with the freedom of Paisley to volley home first-time from the penalty spot after the away defence failed to clear a Scott Tanser shot from range.

Mikael Mandron celebrates Saints' second goal (Image: Allan Picken)

Kwon thought he’d capped what was an excellent display by netting his first goal for the Saints midway through the second period, but his solo effort was ruled out, the referee adjudging the South Korean to have fouled Matt Smith in the build-up following a VAR check.

Hemming was called into action in the closing stages, pulling off a firm save to deny Adama Sidibeh. Matt Smith had time to pick his spot as the ball ran loose, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide.

With seconds remaining, Hemming was alert to swat away a close-range header, but it was the Saints who claimed a clean sheet to remain two points behind fourth-placed Kilmarnock in the cinch Premiership table.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 St Johnstone

By Kevin McKenna

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono, Kwon (Baccus 75), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 75), Mandron (Ayunga 83), Kiltie
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Taylor, Brown, Flynn, Scott

St Johnstone: Mitov, K.Smith (Kucheryavyi 75), Gordon, Considine, Gallacher, M.Smith, Phillips, Carey (Jaiyesimi 63), Robinson, Sidibeh
Subs Not Used: Richards, Olufunwa, Keltjens, C.Smith, Sprangler, May, Kimpioka

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Colin Whyte
VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 5,991

St Mirren were beaten at The Tony Macaroni Arena with a Tete Yengi goal enough to give Livingston the three points. 

It was a frustrating afternoon for Saints who dominated possession, had 21 shots to Livingston's six and would miss a late penalty after a VAR intervention.  

Hyeokkyu Kwon returned to the starting eleven in place of Keanu Baccus while James Scott started ahead of Lewis Jamieson in the only changes from Sunday's Scottish Cup loss to Celtic. Alex Gogic and Greg Kiltie both made it despite being doubtful. 

Saints started the game brightly, but it was the hosts who came closest in the first 20 minutes when Andrew Shinnie's header came off the post, though the offside flag was raised.

Kiltie sent an effort over the bar from 20 yards on 22 minutes, while Stephen Kelly saw a powerful shot from distance pushed away by Zach Hemming. 

Caolan Boyd-Munce threatened twice from long-range with his first effort saved by Shamal George. The ball broke out to James Scott who knocked over from close-range but the offside flag was raised so it wouldn't have couldn't had he scored. Boyd-Munce was close again in the final minute of normal time in the first-half with his low strike from distance went inches by the post. 

The hosts would take the lead when Yengi put them ahead in first-half stoppage time. Ayo Obileye's initial shot from a corner was pushed away by Hemming but the goalkeeper couldn't hold which allowed Yengi to slam home on the follow up.

The manager made a change at the break with Jamieson replacing Scott and the 21-year-old almost made an instant impact when he got on to a loose back pass. He attempted to round the goalkeeper but the ball came back out to Mikael Mandron who laid off for Kiltie on the edge of the area. The forward curled towards the top corner but his effort was headed clear by Michael Nottingham. 

Saints were having all the pressure as they looked for a leveller, forcing a succession of corners after the hour mark but failing to make George work in the Livingston goal. Kwon side-footed wide from just inside the area. 

The Buddies made two changes with just over 20 minutes remaining as Baccus and Toyosi Olusanya on for Kwon and Kiltie. 

And it was Olusanya who looked like he might have helped find Saints a route into the match when he was fouled in the box by David Carson. Referee Euan Anderson didn't give it initially but after a lengthy VAR check the whistler was advised to check the screen where he ended up pointing to the spot. Mandron took the ball but saw his spot-kick saved by George. 

The hosts almost doubled their advantage immediately after the penalty miss when a quick free-kick from Zach Hemming was pounced upon by Stephen Kelly who launched wide from 35 yards with the goal gaping. 

Mandron had a huge chance to grab a point in the final minutes when slid in at the far post to meet a Jamieson cross but he sent the effort the wrong side of the post. 

Full-Time: Livingston 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Dunne, Bwomono (Brown 83), Kwon (Baccus 69), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie (Olusanya 69), Mandron, Scott (Jamieson 46)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Mooney, Penman

Livingston: George, Brandon, Obileye, Nottingham, Sangare, Carson, Kelly (Mackay 83), Holt, Shinnie (Devlin 66), Nouble, Yengi (Guthrie 88)
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Anderson, Kelly, Ledingham, Culbert, Lawal

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: John Stewart
Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
VAR: Kevin Clancy

St Mirren exited the Scottish Cup at the Fifth Round stage after a 2-0 loss at home to Celtic. 

Goals in either half from Kyogo Furushashi and Daizen Maeda saw the holders progress to the last eight despite a valiant effort from Saints. 

There were three changes from the side that defeated Dundee at The SMiSA Stadium on Wednesday night. The suspended James Bolton missed out while Hyeokkyu Kwon was unavailable against his parent team, in came Charles Dunne and Keanu Baccus. James Scott dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Lewis Jamieson. 

Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was Celtic who took the lead on 15 minutes through Kyogo. The Japanese forward took it first time as he met a Luis Palma ball from the left. The strike went through Dunne's legs and squirmed underneath Zach Hemming. 

The Buddies didn't allow themselves to be deflated by the opener and fashioned a good opportunity on 23 minutes after a neat bit of play saw Mikael Mandron dummy Baccus' pass to allow it on to Greg Kiltie. The forward moved into the box but saw his strike blocked by Stephen Welsh.

Saints came so close to a leveller just after the half hour mark when Alex Gogic rattled the cross bar. The defender was first to a Caolan Boyd-Munce corner, brought it down before turning and crashing his strike off the woodwork.

Gogic was agonisingly close to a stunning equaliser in the final minute of the half when his overhead kick was well saved by Joe Hart. 

Celtic doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second-half. A Palma cross found Matt O'Riley unmarked at the back post. His volley came off the bar but Maeda reacted first to the rebound to knock into the net. 

Saints had struggled to get going after the restart and the manager reacted by making two changes with Jaden Brown and James Scott introduced in place of Elvis Bwomono and Lewis Jamieson on 57 minutes. 

The changes seemed to spark the Buddies and Saints should have pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Scott Tanser's brilliant delivery found Kiltie a few yards from goal, but the forward didn't get a clean enough connection and glanced his header wide. Two minutes later Mandron was close when he pinged an effort just by the post from the edge of the area. 

Substitute Scott was unlucky when he got in behind the Celtic defence and struck wide from a tight angle as the game approached its final 20 minutes. That chance came after Baccus had a go from 20 yards that was easily gathered by Hart. But the Buddies just couldn't find a way to get back into the game and exit the cup at the Fifth Round stage. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser (c), Gogic, Dunne, Bwomono (Brown 57), Baccus, Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie (Olusanya 78), Mandron (Ayunga 78), Jamieson (Scott 57)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Mooney, Penman

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Bernabei, McGregor (c), O'Riley, Palma (Yang 62), Maeda (Kuhn 75), Idah (Bernardo 62), Kyogo (Oh 75)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Nawrocki, Tomoki, Vata, Kelly

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger 
VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 4,400

St Mirren made it two wins from two despite being reduced to 10 men in our delayed cinch Premiership match against Dundee.

Kick-off was pushed back to 8:15pm after Dundee arrived late in Paisley and it was late second-half goals from Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya - either side of a James Bolton sending off - that saw Stephen Robinson's men follow up Saturday's 3-0 win over Hibernian with another important victory. 

The manager named an unchanged starting eleven following Saturday's win at Easter Road. Keanu Baccus was on the bench after returning from the Asian Cup. There were three ex-Saints in the Dundee starting line-up with Trevor Carson, Joe Shaughnessy and Curtis Main all picked by Tony Docherty. 

After a stodgy opening period, the best chance of the first-half came on 25 minutes when Hyeokkyu Kwon played a brilliant pass through the Dundee defence for Mandron to run on to but the forward's strike was well saved by Dundee goalkeeper Carson. 

Alex Gogic went close three minutes later when he got his head on a Caolan Boyd-Munce corner kick but glanced just wide of the far post.

Dundee had their best opportunity of the half in the final few minutes of the opening 45. The Dark Blues looked to hit Saints on the counter with Owen Beck charging clear through the middle of the park. Kwon kept up with the loanee which allowed Saints to get numbers back. Beck still got a shot away but drilled it inches by the right-hand post. 

Saints looked the more likely though and came mightily close to opening the scoring 20 minutes into the second-half through substitute Baccus. The returning Australia midfielder was brought on just before the hour mark and was inches away from breaking the deadlock on 65 minutes with a thundering effort that crashed off the bar and over. Boyd-Munce's clipped ball from just inside the box was palmed out by Carson only as far as Baccus who smashed his volley off the woodwork.

Saints' persistent paid off as we made the breakthrough with less than 20 minutes to go when Mandron made it two goals in two matches. Tanser's cross was headed out by Owen Dodgson only as far as Mandron who brought it down on his chest before lashing home from the edge of the box. Carson got two hands to it but couldn't prevent it hitting the net much to the delight of the 5000+ home support. 

The Buddies searched for more and could have had a second on 80 minutes when substitute Lewis Jamieson saw a shot well saved by Carson. Greg Kiltie should have wrapped the game up two minutes later when he got in behind the Dundee defence but sclaffed his effort wide. 

Saints looked set to be forced into an anxious final few minutes when Bolton was show a straight red card for a challenge on Dodgson. It appeared to be a harsh call from referee Steven McLean, but despite being sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR, the whistler stuck with his original call. 

Far be it from hanging on, Stephen Robinson's side would go on to seal the victory in injury time when they hit Dundee on the counter. Tanser found Olusanya who held his line brilliant - being played onside by Dodgson - before bursting forward with his electric pace and showing composure to slot home into the near post. The offside flag was raised, but any fears of it not counting were soon assuaged when VAR confirmed the forward was onside and the goal stood. That ensured another big three points for the Buddies to move nine points clear of sixth place Dundee. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Dundee

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono, Kwon (Baccus 58), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie, Mandron (Olusanya 87), Scott (Jamieson 68, Dunne 87)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Brown, Flynn, Ayunga

Dundee: Carson, McGhee, Ashcroft (Astley 67), Shaughnessy (c), Dodgson, Beck, Cameron (Bakayoko 77), Boateng (Mulligan 77), McCowan, Mellon (Tiffoney 67), Main (Robinson 59)
Subs Not Used: Sharp, Robertson, Donnelly, Sylla

Referee: Steven McLean
Assistant Referee: Chris Rae
Assistant Referee: Colin Drummond
Fourth Official: George Calder
VAR: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 5,737

Three first-half goals saw St Mirren earn a big win away to Hibernian in the cinch Premiership. 

Alex Gogic, Greg Kiltie and Mikael Mandron all netted in a blistering first-half performance that saw Saints leave the capital with all three points. 

Stephen Robinson made three changes as Caolan Boyd-Munce came in for the injured Mark O'Hara. James Scott came in for his first start, while Mandron also started with Lewis Jamieson and Jonah Ayunga on the bench. 

Saints started fast with Greg Kiltie having an opportunity within the first 90 seconds that forced a low save from veteran Hibernian goalkeeper David Marshall. 

The bright opening would be rewarded with Saints taking the lead on eight minutes. It came after a delightful dinked ball from Caolan Boyd-Munce found Gogic got in between two Hibs defenders to bullet home the header. 

The Buddies controlled the first-half and would have a chance to double their lead on 34 minutes when referee Willie Collum awarded a penalty for a handball after Mandron's effort came off the hand Hibs defender Nectarios Triantis. Kiltie stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards as he slammed low into the middle of the net to make it 2-0. 

Saints could have quickly made it 3-0 when Scott Tanser's wicked delivery was helped on by Scott to Elvis Bwomono at the back post. The wing-back was in acres of space but saw his shot blocked well by Marshall. 

The Buddies would add a third before the interval with Mandron netting in the final minutes of normal time in the half. Boyd-Munce's corner floated all the way to the far post where Mandron on hand to sweep home from close range.

Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery made three changes at the break as Hibs looked to find a way back into the match. Dylan Levitt, Jair Tavares and Elie Youan were replaced by Dylan Vente, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Eliezer Mayenda on. But it was Saints who had the first opportunity of the half when Bwomono dragged an effort wide on 48 minutes.

Stephen Robinson made his first change a little over 10 minutes into the second-half with Jamieson on for Scott. And the 21-year-old had a good opportunity to score within a minute of his introduction but lashed a volley over the bar. Jamieson was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet when a vital intervention saw him denied a tap-in on 63 minutes. 

There wasn't too much in the way of work for either goalkeeper but it was still the Buddies who looked the more likely to add to their tally. Boyd-Munce saw a powerful drive from 25 yards fly just wide as the match headed into its final 15 minutes. The midfielder almost scored directly from a corner in the final 10 minutes with Marshall having to push over. 

The Buddies three first-half goals were enough to earn an important three points in our first away match of 2024. 

Full-Time: Hibernian 0-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton (Dunne 62), Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono (Brown 81), Kwon (Flynn 81), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Kiltie, Mandron (Olusanya 81), Scott (Jamieson 56)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Penman, Ayunga

Hibernian: Marshall, Whittaker (Megwa 65), Triantis, Fish, Obita, Tavares (Moriah-Welsh 46), Newell, Maolida (Le Fondre 69), Marcondes, Levitt (Vente 46), Youan (Mayenda 46)
Subs Not Used: Wollacott, Cadden, Amos, Stevenson

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
Fourth Official: Colin Steven
VAR: Alan Muir

St Mirren were edged out by Rangers in our first cinch Premiership match since the winter break.

Cyriel Dessers' 14th minute goal was enough to give the visitors the points despite Saints creating a number of chances throughout the match.

Greg Kiltie made his 100th Saints appearance while Mark O'Hara returned to the starting line-up after a calf injury. Lewis Jamieson also started as the manager made two changes from the side that defeated Queen of the South in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last week.

Rangers took the lead on 14 minutes when Dessers beat the offside trap to run on to a ball over the top from John Lundstram. The forward beat Zach Hemming to the ball and rounded the goalkeeper to roll into the empty net. 

Saints looked for a quick leveller with Elvis Bwomono at the far post reaching a Scott Tanser cross two minutes later. The right-wing-back hit the effort into the ground but Jack Butland in the Rangers net managed to gather. 

Hyeokkyu Kwon had Saints best chance of the first-half when he was found unmmarked in the Rangers area by Kiltie's cross, but the Korean midfielder side-footed high and wide from just inside the box. 

Rangers went close to doubling their lead a minute later when a long-range strike from James Tavernier flew just by the post.

Saints were presented with a good opportunity on 27 minutes when Jonah Ayunga was fouled on the edge of the Rangers D. Jamieson stepped up to take the free-kick but fired well over. The 21-year-old had another big chance three minutes later when he was slipped in but his effort was saved by the feet of Butland with the offside flag raised in any case. 

Kwon forced a good save from Butland in the final minutes of the first-half with an effort from 20 yards that the Rangers goalkeeper had to push wide. 

Despite going in to the break behind, Saints had the better chances in the first 45 and Rangers responded by making two changes at the interval with Tom Lawrence and Ross McCausland replacing Scott Wright and Todd Cantwell.

The visitors quickly looked for a second early in the second-half with Tavernier curling wide from 20 yards before substitute Lawrence did the same from similar range a few minutes later. Dessers went close to his and Rangers' second on 54 minutes when his deflected effort came off the post. 

James Scott made his St Mirren debut as a second-half substitute (Image: Allan Picken)

New signing James Scott was given his debut when he replaced Jamieson on 64 minutes, while Mikael Mandron also came on in place of Ayunga.

VAR checked for a St Mirren penalty as the game approached the final 10 minutes after Marcus Fraser went down in the box, but nothing was given.

Saints kept pressing in search of an equaliser and came agonisingly close when the ball fell kindly for Alex Gogic but his strike was blocked by some brilliant last-ditch defending from John Souttar. From the resulting corner James Bolton headed off the cross bar as it proved not to be St Mirren's day. 

James Bolton came close to an equaliser in the final few minutes (Image: Allan Picken)

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers

St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Fraser, Gogic, Bwomono, O'Hara (c) (Dunne 81), Kwon (Boyd-Munce 72), Tanser, Kiltie, Ayunga (Mandron 64), Jamieson (Scott 64)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Taylor, Brown, Flynn, Nahmani

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier (c), Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan (Barisic 84), Lundstram, Raskin (Jack 58), Sterling (Matondo 88), Cantwell (Lawrence 46), Wright (McCausland 46), Dessers
Subs Not Used: McCrorie, Silva, Balogun, Devine

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Paul McAvinue
Fourth Official: George Calder
VAR: Don Robertson

Attendance: 6,665

Alex Gogic's second-half header ensured Saints' name in the hat for the Fifth Round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. 

Stephen Robinson's men dominated the proceedings but missed a number of opportunities before Cypriot defender Gogic nodded home from a corner to secure our place in the draw. 

Hyeokkyu Kwon made his Saints debut after joining on loan from Celtic last week. Elvis Bwomono also came in for his first start, while Conor McMenamin returned to the starting line-up after missing the Celtic game prior to the winter break. St Mirren Youth Academy players Evan Mooney, Callum Penman and Ethan Sutherland were given places on the bench. 

The Buddies started brightly and the visitors had goalkeeper Harry Stone to thank for denying Saints an early lead with the stopper making a terrific save to claw a header over the bar on 12 minutes. 

Saints thought they had the lead on 19 minutes when Greg Kiltie had the ball in the net. Jonah Ayunga's initial strike was saved by Stone but Kiltie was on hand to roll into the empty net only for the linesman's offside flag to deny the forward on his 99th St Mirren appearance. 

The Buddies still had to be wary of Queen of the South's threat on the counter and when ex-Saints Academy graduate Kyle Doherty did well to hold off Alex Gogic, he managed to slide in Lewis Gibson who looked poised to fire the visitors in front only for stand-in captain Marcus Fraser to make a brilliant block. 

Kiltie came close to putting Saints ahead with a strike from 20 yards that flew by the post just before the half hour mark.

Bwomono was denied a goal on his first start when his powerful strike was cleared off the line by Efe Ambrose four minutes after the restart. Four minutes after that Tanser looked like he was about to give us the lead with a sweetly struck volley from the edge of the box. The left-wing-back caught it perfectly and it appeared to be flying into the top corner off the net, but it came crashing off the cross bar. 

Stephen Robinson made his first change just after the hour mark with Lewis Jamieson introduced in place of McMenamin. The 21-year-old sent in a good cross on 67 minutes which met the head of Kiltie, but the forward was leaning back and sent the header over. 

The breakthrough finally came with less than 20 minutes remaining. Kiltie's corner was perfect as it met the head of Gogic who bulleted home to break the deadlock.

Unlucky Kiltie was foiled by the offside flag once again when he smashed home on 77 minutes. 

Substitute Mikael Mandron should have made it two with three minutes of normal time remaining but he fired his header from Boyd-Munce's corner over the bar. Thankfully, one would be enough as Saints put their name in the hat for the Fifth Round draw. 

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

St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Bolton, Gogic, Bwomono, Boyd-Munce, Kwon, Tanser, McMenamin (Jamieson 62), Ayunga (Mandron 71), Kiltie
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Flynn, Sutherland, Mooney, Penman, Nahmani

Queen of the South: Stone, McKay (c), Todd (Hutchinson 76), Connelly, McCelland, Ferguson, Ferguson, Logan, Ambrose, Doherty (McGuffie 88), Gibson (Walker 88), Brydon (McKechnie 46)
Subs Not Used: Botterill, Macintyre, Irving, Ross, Johnstone

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Paul O'Neill

Attendance: 3,425