Jack Ross gives his thoughts on the last gasp win over East Kilbride as Saints come from behind to defeat the Lowland League side. 

St Mirren scored two late goals to avoid a shock exit at the hands of East Kilbride in the first round of the IRN-BRU Cup. 

Saints had dominated the match but failed to find a breakthrough before Dominic McLaren scored with less than 10 minutes to go to send the Lowland League side into the lead.

The Buddies were staring exit in the face before Ross Stewart levelled on 87 minutes. The game was poised for extra time when Lewis Morgan popped up deep in injury to snatch a 2-1 victory that sees the St Mirren in the draw for the next round.

Saints started well with new boy Darryl Duffy testing Jacob Kean in the East Kilbride goal with a header on four minutes after he got on the end of Cammy Smith's ball in.

Smith then went close himself a minute later with a goal-bound effort that was headed off the line. 

Ross Stewart will have been disappointed not to have opened the score twice within the space of a minute. The striker was first on the end of a Cammy Smith cut back and fired over at close range with the goal gaping. Then, less than 60 seconds later, he was the recipient of a great ball in from debutant Liam Smith. He nodded towards goal but his header was clawed over by Kean.

Kean, deputising for the McGinley, was having the game of his life and made a super stop to deny Ian McShane a first St Mirren goal. The midfielder rushed into the box to meet an Adam Eckersley cross with his head but again the goalkeeper was in hand to keep the score goalless.

The returning Eckersley was the next to be denied as Kean palmed his cross-cum-shot away from goal just before the match reached half time.

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 East Kilbride

After a slow start to the first second half Saints took control after the manager made two substitutions. On came Gavin Reilly and Stelios Demetriou, with the former thwarted by the goalkeeper a little after the hour mark. The striker burst into the box and looked certain to finally put Saints in front, but once again Kean was there to push the attempt away. 

And Kean would continue to frustrate the Buddies as he denied Lewis Morgan after the winger drove forward and went low with his effort only to see the goalkeeper flick it by the post. 

Saints were huffing and puffing but East Kilbride's house just wouldn't blow down. Reilly looked certain to score when he was found in space but his shot was deflected wide before Ross Stewart leaped to reach a cross only to see it come off the post.

And then, all of a sudden against the run of play, the visitors took a shock lead with just 10 minutes to go. Dominic McLaren rose above the St Mirren defence to head the Lowland League side in front from a corner kick.

It was scarcely believable given the previous 80 minutes of play with the Buddies now on the verge of inconceivable exit from the competition. But still St Mirren pressed on and were rewarded when Ross Stewart finally breached the stubborn Lowland League side's defence to level the scores. The striker nipped in ahead of the East Kilbride defence to lift the ball over the goalkeeper to restore parity.

Saints pushed and pushed to score to avoid extra-time. Once again Kean was imperious on the 90 minute mark as he inexplicably turned away a Reilly shot at the far post.

But there was yet another twist in the tail as Morgan picked the ball up after a scramble in the box and squeezed the ball in at the near post to put Saints into the next round.  

Full Time: St Mirren 2-1 East Kilbride

St Mirren: Stewart, L. Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley (Stelios 57) , Morgan, McShane, McGinn, C.Smith (Kirkpatrick 75), Stewart, Duffy (Reilly 56)
Subs Not Used: Samson, Irvine, O'Keefe,  Sutton

East Kilbride: Kean, Stevenson, Coll, Russell, McLaren, Gibbons, Corrieri (Ferris 66), McLeish (Anderson 75), Coogans (Campbell 66), Hughes, Strachan
Subs Not Used: McGinley, McNeil, Robertson, Beattie

Referee: John McKendrick
Assistant Referee: Kylie McMullan
Assistant Referee: Jordan Paterson

Attendance: 1357

Jack Ross has made six changes to the side that lost on Saturday with debuts for Darryl Duffy and Liam Smith. 

Out go Craig Samson, Gary Irvine, Stelios Demetriou, Gary MacKenzie, John Sutton and Gavin Reilly to be replaced by Ross Stewart, Smith, Adam Eckersley, Gregor Buchanan, Ross Stewart and Duffy. 

MacKenzie is rested ahead of Saturday's match against Livingston with the other five players dropping to the bench.

Adam Eckersley comes in for his first appearance of the season after suffering an injury during pre-season training.

Kick-off is at 7:45pm and we'll have all the action covered on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch tonight's match on St Mirren TV.

St Mirren: Stewart, L. Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, Morgan, McShane, McGinn, C.Smith, Stewart, Duffy
Subs: Samson,  Stelios, Irvine, Kirkpatrick, O'Keefe, Reilly, Sutton

New boy Liam Smith could be pitched in for an immediate debut as St Mirren host East Kilbride in the IRN-BRU Cup tonight. 

The defender signed a season-long loan with the Saints yesterday after agreeing a one-year contract extension with his parent club Hearts. 

The 21 year-old fullback is now in line to make his first St Mirren appearance as Lowland League side Kilby visit the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

The deal to bring Smith in was initially delayed after the youngster picked up an injury. 

But he is back to fitness and isn't phased about the prospect of being handed an immediate debut.

Yeah hopefully," he told stmirren.com when asked if he could make his first appearance in tonight's match.

"That would be good to get in the team and play and hopefully get a win.

"I did a lot of work with the physios at Hearts and I didn't come here until I felt I was properly fit to go straight in so no issues with fitness there."

Smith knows Jack Ross from his time at Hearts, where the Saints gaffer managed the Development Squad. 

And he admits that previous relationship was a big draw in getting him to St Mirren despite interest from other clubs. 

When I heard the manager wanted me to come here I was definitely keen. There were a couple of other options but this was the best one for me."

"He was the 20s manager for a while and I got on well with him.

"I know how he works, so when I heard he wanted me to come here I was definitely keen.

"I think the ambition of the club to do well in the league will be really good for my career.

"I played a few games last season [with Raith Rovers]. It's a good standard, not too different from the Premiership.

"I think the games I have played for Hearts will stand me in good stead in helping the side do well. 

"I like to go forward and help in the attacks. Hopefully I'm consistent and I can add something for the time."

St Mirren are in IRN-BRU Cup action tonight as the Buddies welcome East Kilbride to the Paisley 2021 Stadium tonight for the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Saints' IRN-BRU Cup campaign was almost over as soon as it began with the Buddies going 2-0 down to Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill inside the first 13 minutes with brother Ross and Michael Dunlop putting the home side in control. But goals from Stephen Mallan, Lewis Morgan and John Sutton in an eight minute spell dragged Saints in front. But before they didn't have much time to enjoy their lead with Ross Dunlop scoring his second a little over a minute after the Buddies had gone 3-2 up. That took the game into extra game where a Lawrence Shankland header nudged St Mirren into the fourth round. 

The Buddies could have hardly wished for a tougher draw after being paired with eventual Ladbrokes Championship winners Hibernian at Easter Road. Head of Youth Allan McManus was in his final match as caretaker manager and helped guide Saints to the last eight with a surprising 2-1 win over the home side. Hibs had taken the lead through Alex Harris on 37 minutes, but a Stephen Mallan free-kick on four minutes later restored parity at the break. Just as the game appeared to be heading towards extra-time, David Clarkson popped up to squeeze the ball beyond Ofir Marciano in the Hibernian goal to sent St Mirren through. 

After two away ties, St Mirren were drawn at home in the quarter-finals with Ian McCall's Ayr United the visitors to the Paisley 2021 Stadium. However, just like the previous ties, St Mirren found themselves behind when Andy O'Connell profited from poor Saints defending to score his first goal for the Honest Men. But with just seven minutes left to play John Sutton scored twice in a two minute spell to turn the game around and send St Mirren into the semi-final for a second season running.

Saints were one game away from the final, but standing in their way was a 'Battle of Britain' clash with Welsh Champions The New Saints. The 11 time Welsh league winners took a first half lead after a terrific finish from Ryan Brobbel. Captain Stephen McGinn dragged the Buddies back into the match with a stunning strike on the hour mark to level the score before Mallan scored five minutes later to put the home side ahead. John Sutton missed a penalty with a little over ten minutes to go but made amends on the 80th minute to give St Mirren a two-goal cushion. Rory Loy's 90th minute finish put the seal on a brilliant comeback as the Buddies made it to the final.

Despite a strong first half showing, St Mirren were narrowly beaten by Dundee United in the final. Tony Andreu gave the Tangerines the lead, but Saints' fighting spirit was alive as Rory Loy slotted home an equaliser almost immediately from kick-off. Both sides had chances to win it but in the end Danish striker Thomas Mikkelsen rose above the St Mirren defence to bullet home a header and win the cup for United.

Ahead of this season's Challenge Cup, St Mirren can take heart from a strong record that has seen them earn a semi-final place and two final appearances in their last three campaigns in this cup. 

East Kilbride currently sit atop of the Lowland League with three wins and a draw from their opening four fixtures. They also put in a decent showing in their Betfred Cup group, defeating Stenhousemuir 2-1 away and drawing 0-0 with Ladbrokes Championship side Queen of the South at Palmerston. However, they are set to be without the influential Sean Winter who recently picked a hamstring injury, while first choice goalkeeper Matt McGinley could also miss out. 

Kilby manager Billy Stark is a familiar face in Paisley having made 345 appearances for the Buddies back in the 70s and 80s. The former midfielder, a St Mirren Hall of Fame inductee, was part of the Saints' First Division winning side of 1976/77 and the Anglo Scottish Cup triumph in 1980. Ex-Saints Ross Caldwell and Declan Hughes also feature for the Lowland League side. 

St Mirren will be looking to make amends for Saturday's derby loss, while it will also allow Jack Ross the chance to give some valuable game time to other squad members. Lowland League side Kilby come into tonight's match knowing they are the underdogs but will hope that they can claim a major scalp in their first ever match in the IRN-BRU Cup. 

This season we are giving St Mirren fans the chance to pick the half time music at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Supporters are asked to send three song choices along with a short bio and picture to dj@stmirren.com where it will be used at the interval and in the matchday programme. 

First up this season was Saints supporter Gavin McGale from Kirkcaldy who picked 'Supersonic' by Oasis, 'Dakota' by Stereophonics and 'The Circle' by Ocean Colour Scene to be played at half-time at the Falkirk match on the opening day. 

If you would like your song choices to be considered for the Dundee United match on Saturday 26 August then please send them to dj@stmirren.com by Friday 18 August.

Anyone who would like to have birthday wishes, mentions or any relevant St Mirren supporters news (bus travel etc.) read out by the stadium announcer before a match can also send it to dj@stmirren.com two days prior to the game. 

You can follow the St Mirren DJ's on Twitter @StMirrenDJ

This coming Saturday (19th August), St Mirren head to West Lothian to face Livingston in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at The Tony Macaroni Arena.

The latest info we have  on Travel Clubs heading to The Tony Macaroni Arena for the match is as follows:

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus for Livingston will leave Abercorn Street at 1:30pm.

Tickets for this bus are now on sale from the bar.

North End Travel Club

The bus for the match against Livingston will leave the Sneddon at 1:00pm.

Bus tickets are on sale from the Brewer's Tap, £6 each.

Chivas Travel Club

The bus for the Livingston game will leave from The Court Bar at 1:30pm.

Tickets for this bus are now on sale from The Court Bar.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

We will be leaving at 1:30pm for Livingston.

Bus tickets are now on sale in The Bankhouse. 

At St Mirren's home game against Dundee United on 26th August, the stadium will be used as a collection point for food donations for the Renfrewshire Foodbank.

Prior to the match we would ask that you bring any of the listed items below that the Foodbank so desperately needs and deposit them in the bins provided at each stand.

Boxed cereal
Tinned soup
Tinned tomatoes
Pasta sauce
Dried rice/noodles
Tinned fruit
Tinned meat
Tinned fish
Tinned potatoes
Tinned vegetables
Tinned rice/custard
Tea bags/coffee (small)
Long-life juice (1 litre)
UHT milk
jam/peanut butter/other spread
Biscuits
Chocolate/sweeties/crisps

The Foodbank is particularly short of tinned soup, tinned fruit, Long-life juice, UHT milk, cereal, tinned tomatoes, jam and tea bags/coffee, but all donations will be gratefully accepted.

All the donated foodstuff will be uplifted to be distributed to those most in need. We thank you for your support in helping with this appeal.

To learn more about the Renfrewshire Foodbank and the work that they do please visit www.renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk.

St Mirren Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Hearts defender Liam Smith on a season-long loan. 

The 21 year-old has made 38 first team appearances for the Edinburgh side as well as captaining their U20s development squad, while there have been loan moves to Raith Rovers and East Fife. 

His impressive performances for the Jambos saw him earn a call-up to the Scotland U21 squad last season. 

Speaking on his temporary switch, Smith told stmirren.com: "I knew it was happening for a while and I'm delighted to eventually get here.

"When I heard the manager wanted me to come here I was definitely keen. There were a couple of other options but this was the best one for me."

Manager Jack Ross, who worked with Smith while he was in charge of Hearts U20s, said: "He gives us another option in that area of the pitch.

"He's a good full-back, his use of the ball is very good and he's a good type as well. We've worked hard on it for a while, so I'm delighted he's joined us."

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

This issue, for the IRN-BRU Cup, 1st Round tie against East Kilbride, is a 16 pager with a £2 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Goalkeeper Craig Samson.
The Gaffer - St Mirren manager Jack Ross with his pre match message for the fans.
Buddies News Update – News of the latest happenings in and around The Paisley 2021 Stadium.
St Mirren Hall of Fame – David Cochran looks back on the St Mirren career of Ricky Gillies.
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Tuesday's visitors – Lowland League Champions, East Kilbride.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures from Saints recent Ladbrokes Championship outing against Falkirk.
Player Kit Sponsors 2017/18.
Team Lines – The two squads and match officials for Tuesday's match.

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