Neither side could be separated in St Mirren's first home match of 2021 as Jamie McGrath's late penalty earned Saints a share of the spoils against Motherwell.

The Irishman made it seven goals for the season when he netted from 12 yards 11 minutes from time after Devante Cole had given the visitors a first-half lead.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages but had to settle for a point.

Motherwell came into the match with Graham Alexander having been named as their new manager on Thursday night. And the visitors had clearly been given a lift by his appointment as they started brightly at the SMiSA Stadium.

Saints grew into the match with Marcus Fraser volleying wide from 15 yards on 11 minutes before McGrath, who scored the winner the last time these sides met, went close to breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes when he drilled wide from 20 yards. 

Lee Erwin and Kyle McAllister then both dragged wide from outside the area in the next couple of minutes as Saints went in search of the opener.

But Motherwell started to take a grip on the first-half and should have been ahead on 22 minutes when Liam Polworth's pinpoint cross met the head of an unmarked Tony Watt who had his header brilliantly blocked by Jak Alnwick.

Three minutes later Cole fired wide from just inside the box and would have been disappointed not to have hit the target.

But Motherwell did go ahead on 27 minutes with Cole atoning for his miss. Saints couldn't clear a Polworth corner which allowed Watt to nod back across with Cole firing home from close range.

Dylan Connolly was picked up by Erwin who played a wonderful through ball for the winger, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Stephen O'Donnell six minutes before the break.

Saints were looking better in the second-half and should have been level just after the hour mark. McGrath did brilliantly to pick out Ethan Erhahon in the Motherwell box but the midfielder sent it agonisingly wide of the left-hand post. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes Jim Goodwin's men were awarded a penalty when Erwin went down challenge of Declan Gallagher. Referee Bobby Madden to point to the spot with McGrath stepping up and making no mistake from 12 yards to draw Saints level.

Both goalkeepers ensured that neither side would take three points from the game with Kelly saving well from an Ilkay Durmus free-kick, before Alnwick made an unbelievable stop to tip away O'Hara's free-kick attempt.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Motherwell

JIM GOODWIN POST-MATCH REACTION

EAMONN BROPHY POST-MATCH REACTION

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Durmus 76), McAllister (Brophy 57), McGrath, Connolly, Erwin
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Sheron, Flynn, Foley, MacPherson, Jamieson

Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, O'Hara, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (Maguire 84), Watt, Hastie (White 72)
Subs Not Used: Morrison, Devine, Cornelius, Crawford, Seedorf, Grimshaw, McGinley

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Dougie Potter
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Eamonn Brophy has joined the club on loan until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old forward agreed a pre-contract with Saints earlier this week to move to the SMiSA Stadium permanently in the summer on a three-year deal.

However, following an agreement between the two sides this evening, Eamonn will join up with the Buddies early. The striker will wear the number 29 jersey and could go into the squad for tomorrow's match against Motherwell.

Speaking exclusively to stmirren.com, Eamonn said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"When I spoke to the gaffer I felt this was the right place for me. I was fortunate enough to have a number of options but this was the one that felt right for me. 

"I've watched the team a number of times this season and I like the way they play and I think it will suit me.

"Hopefully I can help bring goals to the team and help the team win as many games as possible."

Speaking to the press yesterday, Jim Goodwin said: "I have to thank the board and I have to thank Tony Fitzpatrick for all their help in order to get it over the line.

"It’s all well and good talking about top six and talking about cup runs. But we have to back that up with quality signings. Hopefully Eamonn will add to that.

"Other than just scoring goals I love his all-round attitude. He’s my type of player. He works hard for the team and he doesn’t give centre-halves a second on the ball."

The club is excited to welcome Eamonn to the SMiSA Stadium and wish to thank Kilmarnock for their professionalism during this process. 

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of striker Collin Quaner subject to international clearance.

The 29-year-old German forward joins the club on a deal until the end of the season.

Collin began his career at Fortuna Dusseldorf in his native Germany, before spells at Arminia Bielefeld, FC Ingolstadt, Hansa Rostock and VfR Aalen before joining Union Berlin in 2015.

His form in Germany’s capital led to a move to English side Huddersfield Town in January 2017. Collin became a cult hero at the Terriers as he played his role in the club securing promotion to the English Premier League before leaving the club in July 2020.

Collin will be unavailable for tomorrow’s match, but could go into the squad for the St Johnstone match next weekend.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said: "Collin is a striker who has played at a high level in Germany with Union Berlin. Huddersfield bought him from there and he played a number of games in the English Premier League.

"He comes with a real good pedigree and we’re really excited to see about what Collin can bring to the team.

"He’s six foot three, a really good athlete with a great turn of pace. He’s been training with Schalke for the last couple of months and he’s been looking after himself. We’re very lucky to get him."

Saints are back in league action on Saturday afternoon as we host Motherwell at the SMiSA Stadium for a Scottish Premiership match-up.

We have a limited edition run of programmes, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, for the behind closed doors Scottish Premiership fixture played on Saturday 9th January.

This issue is a 32 pager with a £3 cover price.

This latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Jake Doyle-Hayes.
Jim Goodwin - The St Mirren gaffer's thoughts on the matches since Saints' last home outing and his take on the upcoming fixture against the Steelmen.
The Opposition – We run the rule over the Fir Park side.
St Mirren Programme Archive - Derek Drennan reviews programmes from season 1978/79 for the two legs of St Mirren and Motherwell's Anglo-Scottish Cup tie.
Centre Page Poster – Kyle McAllister.
Player Kit Sponsors 2020/21 – Check in to see who is sponsoring your favourite player's shirt for the season.
Marketing Matters – Campbell Kennedy updates on the latest events and happenings at the club's Commercial Department.
Yesterday's Saints – David Cochran looks back on the St Mirren career of Tommy Workman.
Football Bloody Hell - Alan Gallacher talks about his matchday experience in the Covid-19 era.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2020/21 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures and results for this season.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Saturday's match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2020/21 season click HERE.

St Mirren Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Kilmarnock forward Eamonn Brophy on a pre-contract.

The 24-year-old will join Saints on a three-year deal in the summer when his contact at Kilmarnock expires.

Capped for Scotland in during the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Eamonn began his professional career at Hamilton Academical before moving to Kilmarnock in 2017.

Thus far Eamonn has scored 35 goals for the Ayrshire side including in Europa League qualifying during the 2019/20 season.

Speaking on the deal, St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said: "We’re absolutely delighted.

"It’s a really exciting signing for us considering the teams we were competing with and how highly regarded Eamonn is on the Scottish stage. I think it’s a real coup for us.

"He’s at a brilliant age and coming into the best years of his career. It shows the ambition of the club and I’m just delighted we were able to pull it off."

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick added: "We hope supporters see this signing as a reflection of our ambitions as a football club going forward and another important step in our journey towards fan ownership.

"This deal would not have been possible without the continued support from SMiSA, Kibble, and, most importantly, our loyal fans."

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Junior Morias has joined Boreham Wood FC on loan until the end of the season subject to international clearance.

The 25-year-old forward joined Saints from Northampton Town on a two-year-deal in August 2019. He would go on to make 47 appearances for the Buddies scoring twice.

Everyone at St Mirren would like to wish Junior all the best during his loan spell.

St Mirren welcome Motherwell to Paisley for the first match at the SMiSA Stadium in 2021.

Saints started 2021 with a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Killie goalkeeper Danny Rogers' injury time own-goal gave the Buddies a share of the spoils and kept Jim Goodwin's side ahead of Kilmarnock in seventh place in the Scottish Premiership.

Motherwell's year got off to the worst possible start when they were defeated 3-0 by Hamilton Academical at the FOYS Stadium. That defeat extended 'Well's winless run to 10 matches as they slipped to 11th in the table.

The Steelmen will have a new man in the dugout with Graham Alexander being appointed as manager on Thursday evening. 

Match Details

St Mirren v Motherwell
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 9th January 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The SMiSA Stadium

How to watch the match

St Mirren season ticket holders and international subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live on tv.stmirren.com.

Saturday's match is also available on PPV (ppv.stmirren.com) to supporters inside the UK and Ireland for £12.50. Click here to buy now.

David Van Zanten joins matchday host Ali De Foy, while Head of Academy Allan McManus is on co-commentary. 

Manager's Thoughts

"It should be a decent game - it always is when we play Motherwell. We're two good passing teams, both will be trying to get the win and hopefully we can go and take all three points on the day.

"The boys have been on an brilliant run. We don't fear anybody and we genuinely believe we can beat anyone in the league and that has got to be the mindset now going into the second half of the campaign."

Previous

Saints were victorious when the side's met last month at Fir Park. Jamie McGrath's first-half strike was enough to give the Buddies a 1-0 win over the Steelmen. 

The two couldn't be separated when they last met at the SMiSA Stadium back in February 2020 in the William Hill Scottish Cup. Mark O'Hara had given the visitors the lead before Alex Jakubiak netted his only goal during his loan spell at Saints to take the match to a replay.

Who are the officials?

Bobby Madden is the man in the middle for Saturday's match. His linesmen are Dougie Potter and Craig Ferguson, while Scott Lambie is the fourth official. 

A last-gasp own goal from Kilmarnock goalkeeper Danny Rogers helped St Mirren gain a point in their first match of 2021.

The ex-Saints stopper looked to have dealt with a deflected cross ball but carried it over the line in injury time to give the Buddies a share of the spoils at Rugby Park.

The home side had the better of the first-half and took the lead on 12 minutes when their number 12,Danny Whitehall, headed them in front. The forward got his head on a Chris Burke cross and nodded into the net with Jak Alnwick getting a hand to it. The Saints goalkeeper will probably feel disappointed he didn't manage to keep it out. 

Three minutes later it took a terrific block from Conor McCarthy to deny Whitehall, and Kilmarnock, a quickfire second. The Irish defender put his body in the way when the Kilmarnock striker looked set to double the home side's lead.

Saints were dealt a blow on 23 minutes when Richard Tait had to be substituted after being wiped out by Rogers when the goalkeeper came to claim a cross ball. Thankfully, the manager confirmed after the match that the defender should be okay for next weekend's match against Motherwell.

Killie were inches away from making it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when Greg Kiltie's effort was deflected just by the far post. Alan Power then flashed over from range following the resulting corner.

Saints didn't create much in the first 45, but almost found themselves level nine minutes into the second-half when Jamie McGrath's long-range free-kick drifted just wide with Rogers looking beaten in the Killie goal.

Despite being behind, the game was still very much there for Saints heading into the final 30 minutes with the Buddies forcing a succession of corners without making Rogers work. Jim Goodwin responded by bringing Kristian Dennis and Lee Erwin on in place of Ethan Erhahon and Jon Obika.

Alnwick held efforts Kiltie and Burke to keep Saints with a chance heading into the final 10 minutes. And with just five minutes to go the Buddies should have been level. Rogers made a good save from Joe Shaughnessy's header following McGrath's corner. McCarthy was there on the follow-up but nodded over under pressure from the Kilmarnock defence.

It looked like that was the chance and then, in injury time, a McAllister cross was deflected into the arms of Rogers who seemed in total control of the ball. Somehow the goalkeeper carried the ball over the line to give Saints a point in our first game of the new year.

Full-Time: Kilmarnock 1-1 St Mirren

MANAGER REACTION

St. Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait (McAllister 23), Connolly (MacPherson 74), McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (Dennis 65), Mason, Obika (Erwin 65)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Foley, Jamieson

Kilmarnock: Rogers, McGowan, Broadfoot, Findlay, Haunstrup, Power, Mulumbu, McKenzie, Burke, Kiltie, Whitehall (Kabamba 76)
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Dikamona, Dabo, Taylor, Pinnock, Tshibola

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Stuart Hodge
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

Saints are on the road for their first match of 2021 as Jim Goodwin's men head to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

Despite a defeat to Rangers on Wednesday, the end of 2020 has been a positive one for the Buddies with Saints winning four of their seven matches in December and qualifying for the Betfred Cup semi-finals.

Kilmarnock ended a run of five defeats in a row with a 2-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday.

St Mirren sit one point ahead of Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership heading into Saturday's match.

Match Details

Kilmarnock v St Mirren
Competition: Scottish Premiership
Date: Saturday 2nd January 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: Rugby Park

Can I watch the match?

Saturday's match is live on PPV to supporters inside the UK and Ireland for £12.50. Click here to buy now.

International subscribers to St Mirren TV can watch the match live as part of their subscription.

Manager's Thoughts

"We know what kind of game we are going to be in for.

"They are a very physical, well-organised, hardworking team and we are going to have to match that physicality first and foremost and then get the ball down and the play kind of football we have been able to play recently.

"Kilmarnock are coming into the game on the back of a really good result away to Motherwell so you would imagine that will give them a real boost.

"I don't think they will make too many changes from the team that did well Motherwell and I would expect us to face the same eleven."

Previous

St Mirren have faced Kilmarnock once already this season with the Rugby Park outfit defeating Saints 1-0 at the SMiSA Stadium in September.

Saints were victorious in the last meeting between the two last season when Ilkay Durmus scored the only goal in a 1-0 win to end 2019.

Who are the officials?

Craig Napier is the referee on Saturday. He'll be assisted by Sean Carr and Stuart Hodge with Steven McLean the fourth official. 

2020 ended on a disappointing note for Saints as they were beaten by Rangers at the SMiSA Stadium.

Jim Goodwin's men couldn't repeat their Betfred Cup heroics after first-half goals from Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos gave the Ibrox side a 2-0 win. 

Saints had started well with Jamie McGrath having a go from range inside the first 15 seconds. The Irish midfielder pressed Steven Davis before robbing the experienced Rangers man of the ball before striking from 25 yards which Allan McGregor was down to gather.

Saints were looking good in the early stages and should have taken the lead on 12 minutes. Dylan Connolly broke into the box and shot at McGregor who couldn't hold the low drive after a deflection off the feet of Filip Helander. Jon Obika was quick on to the follow up, but fired wide under pressure.

It was Rangers who took the lead though when Kemar Roofe broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Ianis Hagi stole the ball after Ethan Erhahon and Jake Doyle-Hayes collided around 30 yards from the Saints goal. The Romanian threaded the ball into the box where Roofe smashed home via the aid of a deflection off Conor McCarthy leaving Alnwick with no chance. 

Saints fell further behind six minutes later after a mistake from Joe Shaughnessy allowed Alfredo Morelos to race clear and slam beyond Alnwick. It was a hugely frustrating couple of minutes for the Buddies who had more than been in the match in the opening exchanges. 

Despite the setbacks, St Mirren started the second-half well with Obika testing McGregor from a tight angle on 49 minutes.

Connolly's pace was proving a threat for Saints and Borna Barisic made an important intervention to stop the Irishman going one-on-one with McGregor as the Buddies searched for a goal to give them some hope heading into the final 20 minutes. 

Jim Goodwin made a number of changes in the final 15 minutes to try and spark Saints with Kristian Dennis, Ilkay Durmus, Kyle McAllister and Cammy MacPherson all entering the fray, but none of the players could make an impact as the game fizzled out in defeat.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Rangers

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait, Connolly (McAllister 82), McGrath (Dennis 77), Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon (MacPherson 85), Mason (Durmus 77), Obika
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Morias, Erwin

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier (Balogun 88), Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Aribo, Hagi (Zungu 80), Roofe (Kent 73), Morelos
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Bassey, Patterson, Balogun, Barker, Barker, Itten, Defoe

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Fourth Official: Kevin Graham