Jack Ross reflects on a disappointing 90 minutes as the Buddies fall to defeat against Livingston in the Betfred Cup. 

St Mirren's first game of the season at the Paisley 2021 Stadium ended in defeat as an early goal from Dale Carrick was enough to gain Livingston three points. 

The Livi midfielder struck with just two minutes on the clock and that strike was enough for the visitors to hold on to for the rest of the match as they secured a big win in the Betfred Cup.

Kyle Jacobs' ball into the box was chested down into the path of Carrick who lashed the lions into a lead. 

It was an early setback for Saints and it could've got worse almost immediately as Craig Samson had to deny Scott Pittman moments later. Gary Irvine was caught in possession by Danny Mullen who found Jacobs before he laid it off to Pittman with the Buddies goalkeeper doing well to block. 

Steadily though St Mirren grew into the game after being rocked early doors. Cammy Smith almost had Saints level on 12 minutes as he got on the end of a Lewis Morgan cutback, but a deflection took it by the post. 

Ross Stewart, making his home debut, nearly added to his goal against Stranraer on Saturday after being found in space on the right. The forward broke into the box and forced Neil Alexander to make a good stop at his near post. 

Gregor Buchanan went close as he headed over from an Ian McShane corner before Morgan flashed an effort across the face of goal with no takers.

Stephen McGinn almost caught out Alexander with a curling effort but it was comfortably held by the experienced Livi keeper. 

Half Time: St Mirren 0-1 Livingston

Saints forced a couple of corners after the interval but failed to make any count with Alexander not having a save to make. 

Livingston went close to doubling their lead when Alan Lithgow rose above the St Mirren defence to head just over the bar from a free kick on the left.

Substitute Conor O'Keefe slammed the ball into the net with 77 minutes played, but the linesman's flag has already been raised after the youngster strayed offside after McGinn's flick on. 

O'Keefe looked like he might bag his first St Mirren goal as he got on the end of a header down. The youngster's scissor kick was heading right into the bottom corner of the net, only for Rafa De Vita to be in the right place at the right time to block. 

One last chance would come for Saints as the clock reached the 90 minute mark. A cross from Stelios was headed down by MacKenzie who looked to put it into the path of McGinn but the skipper was unable to reach the ball as trickled wide.

Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Livingston 

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Buchanan (Kirkpatrick 78), MacKenzie, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Stewart (Sutton 61), Smith (O'Keefe 70), Morgan, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Baird, MacPherson, Sutton

Livingston: Alexander, Lithgow, Halkett, Gallagher, Byrne, Pittman, Mullin, Jacobs (Todorov 62), De Vita, Mullen (Peters 79), Carrick (Longridge 33)
Subs Not Used: Maley, Mackin, Knox

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Jim Burns

Attendance: 2,104

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Due to circumstances out with our control, new season ticket smartcards are not ready for tonight's match against Livingston as hoped. 

Anyone who had paid for access to tonight's match and had it loaded on to their smartcard is advised to report to the turnstile supervisor at the appropriate stand when entering the match. 

The turnstile supervisor will have a list of supporters who this affects and will allow them access to the stadium.

This does NOT affect anyone who currently has a smartcard. 

We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.  

Ross Stewart says he and his teammates know how difficult a match they have in store tonight as the Buddies take on Livingston in the Betfred Cup.

The striker faced The Lions last season while at Albion Rovers and says Saints will be in for a game this evening.

But while he expects a difficult match he believes there is a confidence within the side that they can add to the three points they picked up against Stranraer on Saturday.

They were good last season and they've shown that as they've just drawn with Partick," he said to stmirren.com of tonight's opponents.

"We are well aware it will be a tough game, but as a team we are confident we can go in there and get the win and that's what we will be looking to do. 

"It'll be a good feeling playing in front of the fans and I'm sure they'll create a good atmosphere for the team and help drive us on to get the win."

The 21 year-old netted on his debut against Stranraer on Saturday as Saints came from behind to win 4-1 in their first match in the Betfred Cup. 

He admitted it was pleasing to get on the scoresheet so early into his St Mirren career and for the team to get off to a winning start. 

It's important to do that," he said.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game and to go down there and win in the manner in which we did we are delighted.

"As an attacking player you always want to score as quickly as you can when you join a new club and thankfully I was able to do that in the first game to help the team get the win. 

"They are a great bunch of boys and they've made it easy to come into the team. They've helped me to settle and that has contributed to me scoring on the park. 

"We were disappointed to lose the first goal because we felt we started well.

"But to bounce back in the manner we did and get three goals before half time shows you what the team is all about going forward.

"We know we've got goals in the team and if we create chances then we are confident we will take a few." 

This Saturday, St Mirren make the short journey to Maryhill to take on Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup. 

It has been confirmed that this match will be pay-at-the-gate and the match details will be as follows:

Partick Thistle v St Mirren
Betfred Cup, Group H
Venue: Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
Date: Saturday 22nd July 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm

This match will be pay-at-the-gate.

Gate Prices

Wheelchair disabled fans will be located in the Colin Weir Stand at the red disability gate and will be able to pay cash at the gate.

Names of anyone attending should be given to St Mirren Ticket Office by midday on Friday. 

St Mirren play their first home match of the new season this evening when David Hopkin brings his Livingston side to The Paisley 2021 Stadium for a Group H match in the Betfred Cup.

Saints got their campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday when they ran out 4-1 winners away to Stranraer.  The home side took an early lead when former Buddie, Scott Agnew put Stranraer ahead but Gavin Reilly pulled Saints level again on 27 minutes when he scored his first goal for the club. Four minutes later striker Ross Stewart netted his first goal for Saints too and then five minutes before the half-time break Lewis Morgan stretched the lead with a long-range shot that flew into the back of the net. The three points were sealed on 56 minutes when Gregor Buchanan scored his first goal for St Mirren.

Meanwhile over in Livingston, last season’s League One Champions gave Premiership side Partick Thistle a tough outing at The Tony Macaroni Arena. Chris Erskine fired The Jags into the lead early in the first half but Livi struck back right at the start of the second half when Keaghan Jacobs netted for the home side. There was to be no more scoring in the ninety minutes but Livi secured an all important bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out.

This evening’s meeting between St Mirren and Livingston will see the sides go head to head for the third season running in the League Cup. Two season’s ago Saints hosted Livi in Paisley where goals from Calum Gallagher and Stevie Mallan weren’t enough to stop Livi taking the win thanks to goals from Liam Buchanan, Danny Mullen and a late winner from Declan Gallagher. Last season Saints made the trip through to Almondvale where another five goal thriller was put on display. David Clarkson gave Saints the lead just ahead of the 15 minute mark but strikes early in the second half from Nicky Cadden and Dale Carrick put Livi into the lead. St Mirren weren’t to be denied the win though as Lewis Morgan got Saints back on level terms before Clarkson was on target again with a late strike.

St Mirren go into tonight’s match sitting on top of Group H a point ahead of tonight’s visitors. Matches between Saints and Livi are strange affairs as the home side never seems to win! Saints will be looking to buck that trend at The Paisley 2021 Stadium this evening as they hope to strengthen their position ahead of Saturday’s match at Firhill while David Hopkin’s men will be out to prove that Saturday’s result against Partick Thistle was no fluke.

Tickets for this evening's match at The Paisley 2021 Stadium are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Tickets are on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office right up till kick-off. For the matchday info click here.

On Friday 6th October 2017, St Mirren Football Club celebrate 140 years to the day this great club was formed with a Gala Black Tie Dinner.

The event will take place at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew.

This will be a night of celebration with a number of ex-players and special guests attending and a number of St Mirren greats inducted into the club “Hall of Fame”. 

We are delighted to announce that joining the first inductee on the night will be Jim Goodwin, captain of the 2013 League Cup winning team, will be the manager who led the club to its first League Cup Final triumph on that day in 2013, Danny Lennon.

More will be announced over the course of the next few weeks.

We also have a fantastic line up of speakers to entertain you on the night. Prepare to laugh the night away thanks to former Lawyer & Grade 1 referee, Willie Young with his stories from the world of refereeing and Eric Davidson who is recognised as one of Scotland's finest After Dinner Speakers, Comedians and Speech Writers and regular on the Edinburgh Fringe. He was raised in that Cultural Cul De Sac, the Creme de la Skimmed Milk of all Scottish mining villages, Newtongrange and keeping everything in order on the night will be well known Saints’ fan and journalist Bill Leckie.

The evening will consist of:

* Drinks Reception

* Three Course Meal

* Guest After Dinner Speakers 

* Hall of Fame Awards

* Prize Raffle

* Grand Auction

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 £750 + VAT or TWELVE at £900 + VAT.

To reserve packages or enquire about Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy on (0141) 840-1337 or e-mail commercial@stmirren.com.

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 Betfred Cup, Group H match against Livingston, is a 16 pager with a £2 cover price.

The latest edition includes the following:

Front Cover – Club Captain, Stephen McGinn.
Fixtures 2017/18 - All of St Mirren's fixtures for the new season.
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 highlights the St Mirren career of Billy Stark.
The Opposition – Brian Corry gives the lowdown on Tuesday's visitors – David Hopkin's Livingston side.
Last Time Out – Match report and pictures from Saints recent pre-season outing against Dundee.
Football, Bloody Hell – Alan Gallacher looks at the art of taking penalty-kicks!
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.

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 Livingston are the visitors on Tuesday evening.

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

St Mirren v Livingston
Betfred Cup, Group H
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Tuesday 18th July 2017
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST

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 Tuesday’s game against Livingston and get voting with #SMFCMOM.