St Mirren had to settle for a point in their first match of 2018 after a 1-1 draw in the Renfrewshire derby. 

Lewis Morgan had given the Buddies a first half lead before Morton skipper Thomas O'Ware levelled with 10 minutes remaining to secure a share of the spoils. 

The Buddies started brightly, winning a number of corners in the early proceedings including one inside the first 60 seconds. The closest Saints came in the first 20 minutes when Ian McShane had a shot from outside the box. It fell to captain Stephen McGinn who curled towards the top corner only for Derek Gaston to gather. 

A few minutes later it was Gaston's long kick up the field which created the first chance for the home side as he picked out Jai Quitongo on the left wing. The speedy winger charged down the flank before making his way into the box. But he was closely marshalled by Jack Baird who did enough to ensure Quitongo couldn't get a clear sight on goal as he curled over.

St Mirren would draw first blood three minutes later when Lewis Morgan scored the Buddies' first goal of 2018. McShane played a one-two with Kyle Magennis on the right before swinging the ball into a dangerous area in the penalty box. Danny Mullen went to attack and appeared to be dragged to the ground by Michael Doyle. The forward could have had a strong case for a penalty, but it didn't matter as the ball fell kindly for Morgan who didn't need a second invitation to slot the ball coolly beyond Gaston to make it 1-0. 

Saints deserved the lead and could have doubled it on the half hour mark when Cammy Smith found Mullen inside the box. The striker was dragged wide but still managed to get the shot away from the angle and was unlucky to see it crack off the post before falling into the arms of Gaston. 

Michael Tidser had Morton's best chance of the half six minutes later as he arrived in the box in time to meet a neat cutback from Gary Oliver, but he zipped the ball over Craig Samson's cross bar. 

The Buddies had a few opportunities to extend their lead as the clock ticked towards the interval. Cammy Smith had a shot blocked inside the box before Ian McShane let fly from a free kick that didn't go all that far by the post. 

Saints closed the half with a foul of Mullen drawing a free kick around 20 yards out. Goalscorer Morgan stepped up to take but fired it over the bar. 

Half Time: Morton 0-1 St Mirren

The home side started the second half in search of an equaliser and they could have found it less than a minute after the break when Gary Oliver flashed the ball across the face of goal. There were no takers for Morton as it came off Kyle Magennis before being cleared inside the six yard box by Stelios. 

St Mirren knew a second would make it very difficult for their Renfrewshire rivals to get back into the match and went close when Cammy Smith had a shot blocked and deflected out for a corner. The ball was played short to Liam Smith who curled in to the back post where it met the head of Jack Baird. It was blocked but found its way back to the defender who sent a shot over. 

Both sides would continue to make chances throughout the remainder of the match. Samson did well to save from Quitongo before being able to watch a long range effort from O'Ware harmlessly drift wide. 

Gavin Reilly could have got the all important second goal for St Mirren when he managed to wriggle clear of the Morton defence but his shot from the edge of the box was held by Gaston. 

Morton would grab their equaliser with 10 minutes to go through O'Ware. A corner kick from substitute Scott Tiffoney found the defender unmarked and he nodded beyond Samson to make it 1-1. 

Both sides would have chances to turn one point into three with Saints goes mightily close in the last minute of added time. In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection on how the match had gone as St Mirren continue to lead at the top of the Championship. 

Full Time: Morton 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Morgan, C.Smith (Sutton 87), Magennis, Mullen (Reilly 55)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Buchanan, MacKenzie, O'Keefe

Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie, Doyle, Russell, Tidser, Harkins (Tiffoney 65), Quitongo (McHugh 85), Thomson, Oliver
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Gasparotto, Langan, Armour, Forbes

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: David Munro 

Attendance: 4,126 (1,770 St Mirren supporters)

St Mirren get 2018 underway with a trip to Cappielow today for the third Renfrewshire derby of the season. 

The sides last met in October at the Paisley 2021 Stadium as they shared the spoils following a controversial 2-2 draw. Saints opened the scoring on 66 minutes from the penalty spot through Ian McShane. The decision to award a penalty infuriated Morton as it appears the foul on Lewis Morgan took place outside the penalty box. But the Ton levelled less than two minutes later with a thunderbolt from Andy Murdoch getting them back on terms. Just four minutes later, The Buddies were back ahead as top scorer Gavin Reilly swept home a cross from Cammy Smith. Morton would equalise again with a little over 10 minutes remaining following the decision by the referee to award the visitors a penalty kick. Ex-St Mirren midfielder Gary Harkins stepped up and made no mistake to make it 2-2. But the drama was not over there when, a few moments later, Reilly was brought down inside the box. The referee failed to award Saints their second penalty of the afternoon despite clear contact being made on the striker. 

Today's trip to Cappielow is St Mirren's second this season having visited the stadium back in August for match day two. It was a day to forget for Saints as Morton ran out 4-1 winners thanks to two penalties from Michael Tidser either side of a wonderful Cammy Smith goal, before Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch scored to put the seal on a big derby win for the Ton. 

St Mirren have, however, won their second fixture at Cappielow in each of the previous two seasons. A Lawrence Shankland header was enough for The Buddies to claim three points two years ago today. Last season's second trip to Cappielow saw the Buddies boost their hopes of Championship survival with a stunning 4-1 win over the Ton thanks to goals from Stelios, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie. 

The Buddies ended 2017 on a high with a 2-0 win over Dundee United giving Jack Ross' side a five point gap at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship. It was Saints' fourth league win in a row after having already seen off Brechin, Dunfermline and Queen of the South in December. 

Morton, meanwhile, come into today's match on the back of a 1-0 home win over Inverness on December 23rd. They were scheduled to face Dumbarton last Saturday, however, that was postponed due to the weather. 

A win for Saints today would help Jack Ross' side maintain their gap at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship. While Morton know that a win, coupled by results elsewhere going their way, would see them climb into the play-off spots. 

Tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 2nd January), St Mirren make the journey to Greenock to face Morton at Cappielow Park in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up.

The info on Travel Clubs heading to Cappielow Park for the match is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Greenock will leave The Sneddon at 2:00pm.

There are a few bus tickets available in the Brewer's Tap, £5 each.

Chivas Travel Club

The bus for the Morton game will leave from the Court Bar at 2:00pm.

This bus is now sold out.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

The bus for Greenock will leave at 2:00pm.

Bus tickets now available in The Bankhouse.

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus going to Cappielow will leave Abercorn Street at 2:00pm.

Bus tickets are now available from the bar.

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Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd January, St Mirren make the trip along the Clyde to Greenock to face Morton in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at Cappielow Park.

The referee tomorrow is Kevin Clancy and he will be assisted by Ralph Gordon and Daniel McFarlane. The Fourth Official will be David Munro.

St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Dale Hilson has left the club following the expiry of his contract.

Dale joined the club on a short-term deal in the summer and went on to make five appearances for Saints scoring once - a winner against Brechin City in September.

The club would like to thank Dale for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.

We can also confirm that Darren Whyte has had his loan at Forfar Athletic extended until the end of the season, while U20's player Robbie Leitch has also had his loan at Queens Park extended until the end of the season.

St Mirren head into 2018 five points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship after a 2-0 win over second place Dundee United. 

A second half brace from Lewis Morgan saw the Buddies see off second place United and open the gap going into the new year. 

A fairly quiet opening to the game was awoken on nine minutes when St Mirren won the first corner of the match. The ball was played into the box before finding its way to captain Stephen McGinn on the edge of the box. The skipper registered the first shot of the match with his powerful effort held by Harry Lewis. 

Soon after United won their own corner after a dangerous looking ball from Billy King was turned behind by Stelios. The visitors were then given a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when referee Don Robertson awarded them a penalty after judging that Ian McShane had fouled Mark Durnan. Paul McMullan, who had a six month loan spell at Saints in 2015, stepped up to take but hesitated before seeing his spot kick brilliantly pushed away by Craig Samson. 

There weren't too many chances to test either keeper in the remainder of the first half but it was United who looked more likely to make something happen as time ticked away before the break. Scott Fraser sent a wonderful ball into the path of the unmarked McDonald inside the box on 41 minutes, but the Australian striker headed behind him before Sam Stanton caught Liam Smith in possession and picked out Fraser a minute later only for the midfielder to send the shot wide.  

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dundee United

Saints grabbed the opener just before the hour mark thanks to a wonderful strike from Lewis Morgan. The winger looked keen to impress all night and got his reward on 58 minutes. McShane rolled a free kick around 30 yards out out to Morgan on the left side. He slowly came forward before gliding past McMullan and skipping past Flood before crashing the ball low into the far right bottom corner to put Saints ahead. 

The Buddies searched for a second to try and kill the game off. Morgan had a shot blocked inside the box after being found by Cammy Smith before Kyle Magennis went mightly close with an effort that zipped beyond the post. 

That all important second would come with a little over ten minutes remaining and once again it was Lewis Morgan who proved he was the man for the big occasion. Again it came from a short McShane free kick as the midfielder played the ball into the path of Morgan on the left side. Morgan came forward but was challenged by a United player and lost the ball. It broke to McGinn who helped it back into the path of Morgan and he took a touch to steady himself before rifling beyond Lewis to double Saints' advantage. 

St Mirren had a massive chance to put the cherry on the cake when Cammy Smith found himself clear in the dying embers but the forward's shot was blocked by the legs of Lewis. 

In the end Saints had to settle for two goals, but two goals that earned the side a massive three points in the promotion race as the Buddies open up a five point lead at the top. 

Full Time: St Mirren 2-0 Dundee United 

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Magennis, C.Smith (MacPherson 90), Morgan (O'Keefe 90), Mullen (Sutton 88)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Buchanan, MacKenzie, Duffy

Dundee United: Lewis, Scobbie, Durnan, Quinn, Robson, McMullan (Keatings 71), Flood (M.Smith 63), Stanton, Fraser (Allardice 76), King, McDonald
Subs Not Used: Deniz, Appere, Chalmers, Ingles

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: David McKniff
Fourth Official: Steven Reid

Attendance: 6,214

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren close out 2017 with a top of the table clash against Dundee United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium tonight. 

Tonight's match goes ahead despite the weather as top of the table Buddies play host to Csaba Laszlo's second place United side. It's a far cry from how Saints ended 2016 when a 1-1 draw at home to Morton saw the Buddies sit six points adrift at the bottom of the league. 

Saints come into tonight's match on a high after coming from 2-0 down to defeat Queen of the South 3-2 last weekend to ensure they were top heading into Christmas. Queens were 2-0 ahead inside six minutes through goals from Stephen Dobbie and Chris Kane. But The Buddies roared back thanks to a double from Gavin Reilly before the returning Gary MacKenzie grabbed the winner.

United also head into the game in good spirits also after defeating Livingston 3-0 at Tannadice last Saturday. Ex-Saint Paul McMullan scored twice for the Arabs either side of a Scott McDonald goal.

Despite what has been a testing season for United where they have replaced Ray MacKinnon with Csaba Laszlo, the Arabs sit just two points behind Saints in the Ladbrokes Championship with a game in hand. They've won four of their last five league matches since their win against Saints at the start of November and are unbeaten in their last seven league matches. However, despite the confidence they'll have coming into tonight's match, they were dealt a major blow when it was announced that midfielder Fraser Fyvie is set to miss the rest of the season.

The Buddies have faced United twice already this season - winning one and losing the other. The first saw an emphatic Saints victory back in August as a double from Lewis Morgan and a first St Mirren goal for Ian McShane saw St Mirren run out convincing 3-0 winners. 

United exacted a measure of revenge in the November fixture when they hosted the Buddies at Tannadice. Goals from Mark Durnan and Sam Stanton put the home side 2-0 in front rendering a stunning late Adam Eckersley strike as nothing more than a consolation. 

Regardless of tonight's result, Jack Ross and his team can be proud of the progress they have made in 2017. A side that were odds on favourites to be relegated to the third tier of Scottish football head into the new year sitting atop of the Championship and challenging for promotion to the Premiership. A win would strengthen that challenge as Saints would open up a five point gap at the top. For United, victory would see them move to first place a point ahead of Saints with a game in hand. 

Our match day programme, published in partnership with Curtis Sport, will be available from the Club Shop ahead of Friday’s game.

This issue, for the Ladbrokes Championship match against Dundee United, is a 48 pager with a £3 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Ian McShane.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his thoughts on recent matches and his pre-match message for the fans.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures of the recent Championship match against Dunfermline Athletic.
The Opposition – Brian Corry runs the rule over Friday's visitors, Csaba Laszlo's Dundee United side.
Hall of Fame – David Cochran highlights the St Mirren career of Jimmy Bone.
Player Interview – Stuart Gillespie chats with Liam Smith.
Action Shot (Centre Pages) – Jack Baird.
Highlights of 2017 – A pictorial look back at St Mirren's 2017.
Fans Corner – Ticket prices, travel clubs update, match info and dates for fans to keep in their diary.
Matchday Gallery – Pictures from the post-match presentations in the corporate suite after the recent home match against Dunfermline.
Kit Sponsors 2017/18.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher serves up a Festive Quiz.
Marketing Matters – Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy brings us up to date with all the commercial activities within the Club.
St Mirren Fixtures & Results 2017/18 – A handy reference page of all the fixtures for this season.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Friday’s match.

To buy this issue or to place your programme subscription for the 2017/18 season click HERE.

If you live outside the UK & Ireland, St Mirren TV is your way to watch Paisley’s top football side live in action each and every home match day.

This service, which is delivered by media students from the University of the West of Scotland, will cover all of St Mirren’s home games.

As usual the St Mirren TV team will be presenting all the action from The Paisley 2021 Stadium when Dundee United are the visitors on Friday evening.

If you want to tune in here is the info you will need:

St Mirren vs Dundee United
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Friday 29th December 2017
Kick-off: 7:45pm GMT

To access this match day service:

1 Day Pass – €6.99 EUR
Season Pass – €69.99 EUR

To view Terms & Conditions and get started with St Mirren TV please click HERE.

For technical support with St Mirren TV please e-mail tvsupport@stmirren.com

We are giving fans the opportunity to vote for the man of the match and also put two lucky fans in with the chance of winning a £10 voucher for the Club Shop.

Every home game we’ll throw open the voting on the 60 minute mark for 20 minutes where votes can be cast on Facebook and Twitter. All you have to do is use the hashtag #SMFCMOM followed by the name of the player you are voting for, eg ‘#SMFCMOM MORGAN’.

With 10 minutes of the game remaining all the votes will be counted then the Stadium Announcer will confirm the winning player over the tannoy system.

From all the fans who nominate the winning player one will be picked at random from the Facebook account and another from the Twitter account and they will each be awarded a £10 voucher for the Club Shop. The winners will be notified through the account they posted from.

So get yourself ready on the hour mark of Friday’s game against Dundee United and get voting with #SMFCMOM.