St Mirren B exit KDM Evolution Trophy despite strong performance

Struan Thompson's free-kick got the Young Saints level in the second-half after Robel Teklemichael had given the visitors the lead on 24 minutes. But Josh Kerr grabbed a late winner that saw the Blue Toon progress to the round of 16.

Peterhead were the brighter in the opening exchanges with Lyall Keir stinging the palms of Grant Tamosevicius on four minutes. The Saints stopper had to be alert two minutes later after a loose ball fell to Keir, presenting him with a chance to race clear on goal. Tamosevicius was quick off his line to make the clearance.

Jack Lavery caused problems for the visitors down the left side and twice sent efforts just wide of the post on 14 minutes and 22 minutes.

Peterhead took the lead on 24 minutes. Keir's initial effort was saved by Tamosevicius, but Teklemichael was there on the follow-up to make it 1-0 to the visitors. The League One side almost doubled their advantage three minutes later, but Tamosevicius was out quickly to smother and deny James Stokes the opportunity to slot into the net.

Lewis Hodgkiss had Saints' best chance of the first-half, nodding a header just wide after rising highest to meet a Josh Farquhar cross on 28 minutes. Ex-Saint Cammy Smith smashed just over five minutes later as Peterhead looked to increase their lead.

The Young Saints came flying out the traps in the second-half and were unlucky not to have gone level on 53 minutes. Hodgkiss rattled an effort off the bar. Farquhar saw his follow-up blocked before Lavery had his attempt pushed away by Peterhead goalkeeper Jack Newman. Lavery was closed again a little over a minute later, coming in off the left and curling just by the far post.

Thompson's powerful strike from 20 yards whistled just over the bar on 56 minutes, while captain Carrick McEvoy forced a strong save from Newman nine minutes later.

The Buddies' pressure would eventually tell with Thompson scoring his fourth goal in the KDM Evolution Trophy this season. The midfielder's low free-kick creeped in at the near post to get the young Saints deservedly level.

Ben Stoddart almost got us front with a deflected effort that came off the inside of the post. It rolled along the line but agonisingly didn't cross. But it was the visitors who would score the goal that would ensure their place in the round of 16. Josh Kerr fired high into the net on 81 minutes to give the Blue Toon victory.

Full-Time: St Mirren B 1-2 Peterhead

St Mirren: Tamosevicius, Stoddart, Hunter, Clark, De Barros (Mackay 85), McEvoy, Thompson (Penman 79), Hodgkiss (Falconer 85), Lavery, Hogarth (Douglas 59), Farquhar