Saints manager Jack Ross gives his thoughts on St Mirren's 2-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic. The Buddies picked up their first win at East End Park since 2001 as Saints extend their lead at the top to 11 points. 

St Mirren extended their lead at the top of the Championship table to 11 points after a hard fought win against Dunfermline Athletic.

The Saints saw out a 2-1 victory at East End Park, with goals from Cammy Smith and Jack Baird either side of half time enough to see all three points belong to the Paisley side.

The game started off brightly, with shouts for a penalty from the home fans, after Declan McManus went down in the box after a well whipped cross from Michael Paton. McManus believed Jack Baird was holding him and prevented him getting on the end of the cross, but referee John Beaton waved play on.

It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken though, as Cammy Smith put the Saints ahead on the 14 minute mark with a goal of the season contender. Some tidy play by Stephen McGinn in the centre of the park saw him slip through Lewis Morgan who broke through the middle. Morgan then played a reverse back heel into Cammy Smith who was through on goal and coolly slotted past Lee Robinson in the Dunfermline goal.

The rest of the first half saw very few chances for both teams. A strike from Saint’s top goalscorer Gavin Reilly aimed straight at Lee Robinson and Kallum Higginbotham doing the same at the other end of the pitch meant St Mirren went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Dunfermline came out in the second half determined to get back in the game, and they succeeded on the 48th minute. A free kick from the right hand side was played high to the back post, where Jean Yves Mvoto headed the ball into the six yard box and Nicky Clark won the race to nod it past Craig Samson to even up the score.

Dunfermline really started to take the game to Jack Ross’ side, with St Mirren’s only chance coming from Kyle Magennis’ dipping freekick from 25 yards which was touched over the bar for a corner.

St Mirren managed to restore their lead on the 64th minute. Another free kick from 25 yards, but instead of taking a pop at goal, Magennis decided to delicately chip the ball to the back post, where Jack Baird was standing alone and volleyed past the Dunfermline goalkeeper to the elation of the travelling support.

Morgan could have put the game out of sight for the Championship leaders on two occasions. The first came after a nice give and go with Adam Eckersley saw Morgan cut in from the left and get away a shot, only to be firmly blocked by Robinson. Then three minutes later Morgan was through again, when Stephen McGinn stole the ball from Dunfermline and played through the overlapping winger who blazed the ball over the bar from 15 yards out.

The remaining few minutes saw the away side really hemmed in which lead to the introduction of Gary MacKenzie for goalscorer Cammy Smith. The Pars plugged away at St Mirren’s defence, but to no avail. Two courageous blocks from goalscorer Baird was enough to prevent Dunfermline and seal a first win away to Pars since 2001.

Full Time: Dunfermline 1-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Eckersley, McGinn, McShane (Flynn 61), Magennis, C.Smith (MacKenzie 82), Morgan, Reilly (Mullen 78)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Stelios, Hill, Sutton

Dunfermline: Robinson, Williamson, Talbot, Mvoto, Morris, Paton (Aird 63), Shiels (Craigen 42) Wedderburn, Higginbotham (Ryan 71), McManus, Clark
Subs Not Used: Gill, Martin, Ashcroft, Callum Smith

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland

Attendance: 5,479

Match gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren are back to league action this week as they travel to Fife on tonight to take on Dunfermline Athletic.

After last week's exit from the Scottish Cup at the hands of Aberdeen, Saints will be keen to bounce back with a win at East End Park.

The two last met at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in December where St Mirren ran out 1-0 winners in a controversial affair, after Cammy Smith slotted home from six yards out after a nice piece of play from the Buddies. The main talking point from the game though was when referee Craig Charleston awarded a penalty for Dunfermline, after a tackle from Adam Eckersley on Ryan Williamson, only to overturn the decision moments later and award a freekick to the Saints.

This was The Buddies first victory over The Pars since they were promoted back to the Championship in 2015/16. The five previous league meetings between the clubs have resulted in three wins for Dunfermline and two draws.

The last time the two sides met at East End Park was a day to forget for Jack Ross' side, as they went down 3-0 to the home side back in September. Goals from Declan McManus, David Hopkirk and Calum Morris were enough to seal all three point. But St Mirren's disappointing afternoon wasn't finished, as they saw the game out with only nine men, after a straight red card for Adam Eckersley and second yellow for Gregor Buchanan rounded off a bad day at the office for Saints. 

St Mirren go into this game in good league form as they are unbeaten in their last seven games - winning six and drawing just the once. The last league outing was a 2-0 win over Dumbarton, which included a first goal of the season for captain Stephen McGinn.

Dunfermline had been on a poor run, picking up only three points from seven games during November and December. They seem to have put this past them though and come into the game in decent league form, having won three out of their last four games, drawing their last game 0-0 with Dundee Utd. 

It will be another tough test for St Mirren, but could be a crucial game in the club's hunt for promotion this season.

We can confirm that the St Mirren airdome is now fully operational. 

The dome had come down due to weather conditions last week, but has now been restored to working order. 

Community classes this weekend will be ON. For more information or enquiries please email info@stmirren.com. 

St Mirren Football Club are delighted to announce that All Commercial Parts have agreed to sponsor Steven Thompson’s Hall of Fame Award at the Club's 2017/18 Player of the Year Awards Dinner which takes place at the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew on Saturday 5th May 2018.

Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy said: "I would like to thank Nigel McHugh of All Commercial Parts for his kind support in sponsoring this award. All Commercial Parts have been a great supporter of the club and I would like to personally thank them their continued support." 

Nigel McHugh, Director of All Commercial Parts, said: "It’s a privilege and honour as a Leeds United fan, now a converted Buddies Fan, to present the Hall of Fame Award to the very highly respected Steven Thompson. Steven is a born and bred, dyed-in-the-wool St Mirren supporter whose professionalism, dedication and commitment to the club are much valued within the past and present footballing world and local community. In my younger years I would have even swapped the great Gordon McQueen to have Steven grace his abilities at Elland Road!”

Individual places are available at £75 + VAT per person, with a minimum of two places on a shared table basis. Tables are available in multiples of TEN at £700 + VAT or TWELVE at £840 + VAT.

To reserve packages or to enquire about event and awards sponsorship opportunities, please contact Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy on (0141) 840-1337 or email commercial@stmirren.com.

You can also book online at our e-store or download a booking form by clicking HERE.

St Mirren fans will be able to purchase tickets on the matchday from the away end ticket kiosk from 6:45pm. The kiosk is located behind the East Stand.

However, we would encourage fans who are planning to travel through for the game to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid queues at the ticket kiosk on matchday.

Please note that the kiosk will be busy and you should arrive in plenty of time to purchase tickets. The kiosk is cash only.

St Mirren's ticket office will be opened till 7:00pm this evening to accommodate this.

The St Mirren Ticket Office (Main Stand) opening hours in the build up to this match are as follows:

Thu, 25th Jan: 10:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Fri, 26th Jan: 10:00am to 2:00pm

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Friday 26th January, St Mirren make the trip to 'The Kingdom of Fife' to face Dunfermline Athletic in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at East End Park.

The referee tomorrow is John Beaton and he will be assisted by Graham Chambers and Drew Kirkland. The Fourth Official is Alan Newlands.

We can confirm the following ticket arrangements for Friday nights game against Dunfermline Athletic: 

St Mirren fans will be able to purchase tickets on matchday from the away end ticket kiosk from 6.45pm. The kiosk is located behind the East Stand.

However, we would encourage fans who are planning to travel through for the game to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid queues at the ticket kiosk on matchday.

Please note that the kiosk will be busy and you should arrive in plenty of time to purchase tickets. The kiosk is cash only.

St Mirren's ticket office will be opened late on Thursday evening to accommodate this.

Ticket Office opening hours

Wednesday - 10am - 2pm 

Thursday - 10am - 2pm, 5pm - 7pm

Friday - 10am - 2pm

Price list

Adults - £18

Concessions - £12

Under 12's - £5

Join us on Friday 9th March 2018 in the Westmarch Suite at The Paisley 2021 Stadium for our Annual Academy Fundraiser Night.

The aim of the evening is to raise funds for our highly acclaimed Academy and facilitate the ongoing commitment we have to our successful youth programme .

The evening will kick off with a glass of bubbly on arrival before sitting down to a superb two course meal after which you will be entertained by Jamie King McArthur 'The King of Swing' one of the busiest and highly regarded young performers on the circuit who will perform a mix of classic Rat Pack and swing hits to current chart hits followed by a DJ set that will keep the dance floor full all night long.

The evening will also include a superb raffle and Grand Auction with all funds raised going towards the Academy.

Tickets for the event are sure to sell quickly and are available priced as follows:

• £36 (minimum booking two people on a shared table)
• Table of ten £360

 All prices are inclusive of VAT

To book your place please contact Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy direct on 0141-840-1337, email commercial@stmirren.com, email Claire Coventry claire.coventry@stmirren.com or download the booking form here.

Initial repairs have begun on the St Mirren airdome after it had been brought down last week due to adverse weather conditions. 

An accumulation of snow had fallen down the side of the dome causing a tear in the membrane of the revolving door. 

We hope to have repairs finished by Thursday - weather permitting - which will then allow us to re-inflate the dome. 

Anyone with dome bookings is advised to contact info@stmirren.com for enquiries.

St Mirren Football Club apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Ryan Flynn made his St Mirren debut on Saturday against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, but it wasn't the dream start he had in mind.

Saints exited the fourth round after a 4-1 defeat at Pittodrie, but Flynn managed to get himself some game time, after he came on for Ian McShane on the 56 minute mark.

Flynn told Buddievision: "I'm happy that I managed to get 30 minutes under my belt, obviously I needed it.

"I thought from the boys point of view we played well. Obviously disappointed in the manner that we conceded the goals, but on first half play I didn't think it was a 3-1 scoreline."

Saints were 3-1 down at half time after a Adam Rooney penalty and Ryan Christie double canceled out Gavin Reilly's 21st goal of the season.

Although it wasn't the result Saints had hoped for, Flynn believes that it could have been a different result on another day.

When they got their chance they were ruthless, but the positives from us was our character; when we went 2-0 down nobody shied away from it.

"We took the game to them and got back in it. We had another chance which was pretty close with the lob, Morgy's chance. We were well in it."

St Mirren now turn their attention to Friday night's clash against Dunfermline at East End Park.

The two met last month at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, where a first half goal from Cammy Smith was enough to see all three points to stay in Paisley.

Flynn is confident Saturday's defeat against Aberdeen won't dent the team's confidence going into this week's game.

I think throughout the season the boys have bounced back all the time and this is another one we just have to bounce back from. It is a massive game, there's no getting away from that.

"It'll be a tough game, it was a disappointing result the last time but we know exactly what is expected of us there.

"I'm sure we'll take a good following. They were brilliant today, and hopefully they'll help us out on Friday."