Pictures from last night's 4-1 Renfrewshire derby victory over Morton at Cappielow.

Stelios Demetriou got his third St Mirren goal before Andy Murdoch levelled for the hosts.

Saints ran out comfortable winners though thanks to second half goals from Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie. 

Match gallery pictures by Allan Picken - © Allan Picken Photography and John Millar - © millarpictures

Jack Ross gives stmirren.com his thoughts following last night's fantastic Renfrewshire derby win.

The Buddies defeated rivals Morton 4-1 at Cappielow with goals from Stelios Demetriou, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie seeing Saints move up to eighth place in the table. 

St Mirren moved up to eighth place in the Ladbrokes Championship with a stunning 4-1 derby win at Cappielow. 

The Buddies boosted their hopes of survival with goals from Stelios Demetriou, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton and Gary MacKenzie taking the Saints out of the relegation play-off spot with just four matches remaining.

The best early chance for either side came on 18 minutes when Rory Loy robbed Michael Doyle of the ball around 20 yards out and drove into the box. He drilled the ball across the face of goal with both Kyle Magennis and Sutton sliding in with neither able to get the touch that would have saw it nestle in the back of the net. 

But it was a mere delay when Mallan's excellent first time pass found Stelios marauding down the left side side. The Cypriot skilfully checked in away from Doyle before lashing the ball from just inside the box beyond Derek Gaston. It sent the fans in the Wee Dublin End wild with chants of Super Stelios ringing throughout. 

But Saints couldn't build on it as the hosts equalised less than 10 minutes later after a lightening quick counter attack. Aidan Nesbitt slipped the ball through for Doyle who broke down the right flank. The defender picked out Andy Murdoch who arrived in the ball late to guide the ball beyond Billy O'Brien to draw level.

The home side's tails were up and they grew in stature, going close to scoring a second soon after their equaliser. O'Brien's poor clearance along the deck was picked up by Nesbitt who found Gary Oliver. The striker did well to find Lawrence Shankland but the ex-Saint couldn't connect with it properly with Jack Baird in close situ to shepherd it out for a corner.

Stelios should have scored his and St Mirren's second after breaking clear just before half time. The left back was picked out by Smith and raced through, beating Mark Russell to the ball before switching the ball to his other foot as he got into a shooting position only to see his effort deflected over the bar. It would have been the perfect end to the first half

Half Time: Morton 1-1 St Mirren

While Saints missed the opportunity to end the first half ahead they made amends with the best possible start after the interval. Mallan picked up after a neat touch from Stephen McGinn who did well to hold off his marker. The midfielder didn't need to think about it as he leathered the ball first time from 25 yards out into the far corner of the net. It was a stunning hit from the 21 year-old who has made a habit of scoring special goals.

And from that point on Saints controlled the match. John Sutton, making his 100th start for the Buddies, looked to put the game to bed soon after when he scored his 43rd St Mirren goal. It was Cammy Smith who won the ball in midfield, charging forward before finding Loy on the left hand side. The striker took one touch to open up space and then sent the ball across the face of goal where all Sutton had to do was get his toe on it. And get his toe on it he did with Saints opening up a two goal cushion with over half an hour still to play.

There was still plenty of time for it to go either way but in truth Saints were well on top for the rest of the game. The Morton support were certain they had halved the deficit just moments after Sutton's goal. O'Brien couldn't get his hand on a ball across from Mark Russell on the left which was swung back in from the right straight to the head of Oliver whose looping header was saved by the goalkeeper on the line. 

Saints added some gloss to the score line with 10 minutes remaining. Good work from Magennis on the right side won the Buddies a corner. Mallan swung it in where Gary MacKenzie towered above Gaston, and the rest of the Morton defence, to bullet home. It was no less than the Buddies deserved after bossing the game for large spells. 

And with the full time whistle came St Mirren's first derby win of the season - a win that sees Jack Ross' side move off the relegation play-off spot and give the club a huge chance of survival with just four games remaining. 

Full Time: Morton 1-4 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Stelios, Magennis, Mallan (Quinn 90), McGinn, Smith (Todd 88), Loy (Storie 84), Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Gordon, Fjelde, Whyte

Morton: Gaston, Lamie, O'Ware, Doyle, Oliver, Forbes, Lindsay (Tidser 75), Nesbitt, Russell, Murdoch, Shankland (Donnelly 88)
Subs Not Used: McGowan, Kilday, Oyenuga, Scullion, McDonagh, 

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Colin McAlpine

Attendance: 4,609

Match report pictures by Allan Picken - © Allan Picken Photography and John Millar - © millarpictures

St Mirren make one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Dumbarton on Saturday.

John Sutton makes his 100th start for the Buddies in place of the suspended Adam Eckersley. 

Meanwhile, youth academy prospect Darren Whyte takes a place on the bench.

You can follow all the action with our live updates on Facebook and Twitter.

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Stelios, Magennis, McGinn, Mallan, Smith, Sutton, Loy
Subs: Langfield, Gordon, Quinn, Whyte, Storie, Fjelde, Todd

St Mirren make the short trip to Greenock this evening to face Morton in the final Renfrewshire derby of the season. 

Saints are in fine form heading into tonight's contest with five wins and two draws from the last eight league matches. 

However, the Buddies have yet to win a derby this season - drawing twice and losing once. 

Morton were the visitors to the Paisley 2021 Stadium on the opening day of the season with John Sutton's late header securing a point for the Saints. The Englishman, on as a second half substitute, leaped above the away defence to power home a cross from Lewis Morgan after Thomas O'Ware had given the Ton a first half lead. 

O'Ware again opened the scoring the next time the two met as St Mirren's 17 year unbeaten record in the derby came to an end at Cappielow in October. Ross Forbes doubled the home side's advantage before Gary Oliver struck in the second half to put Morton 3-0 up. Ben Gordon pulled a goal back for the Buddies with less than five minutes remaining, but it was too little too late.

The final meeting came on Hogmanay with the Ton making their way to Paisley for the second time of the 2016/17 season. St Mirren, who began 2016 with a 1-0 win over Morton at Cappielow, looked set to end it in similar fashion when Gary MacKenzie scored his first Saints goal to give the Buddies the advantage. But it was to be heartbreak for the home support when Ricki Lamie equalised in the 93rd minute to steal a point. 

The last derby triumph for Saints over Jim Duffy's side came almost a year ago to the day when goals from Lawrence Shankland, Calum Gallagher and Stevie Mallan sealed a 3-1 win for the Buddies

Saints come into tonight's match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Dumbarton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday. Kyle Magennis gave St Mirren the lead before the Sons' Lewis Vaughan pulled the visitors level. Rory Loy missed a first half penalty moments after Dumbarton's equaliser and it meant it was a point a piece. Morton picked up the same scoreline at home to league leaders Hibernian - with Shankland netting for the Ton from the penalty spot after Jason Cummings had put Hibs ahead.

The Buddies are likely to come up against Shankland this evening after the ex-Buddie joined the Ton on loan in January. The 21 year-old scored in two derby victories for St Mirren last season, but will now come up against his former side wearing the blue and white of Morton. 

After finally coming off the bottom on Saturday, a St Mirren win tonight would see the Buddies leapfrog Raith in eighth place. For our opponents, they know victory would see them move above Falkirk into second place as they look to take advantage in the promotion play-off spots.

St Mirren TV is set to broadcast the upcoming Saint for a Day event. 

It's the first time that the annual event, which takes place this year on Sunday 30 April, will be broadcast live on smfcuws.tv 

Jack Ross and James Fowler have already been announced as the managers for the event with assistant manager positions still available to bid for. We'll also be announcing some special players who will be taking part in the coming day. 

Those wishing to participate have until next week to make a bid with the first closing date coming on Tuesday 18 April.

More details on the event can be found here. 

The St Mirren Under-20 side are in action tonight as they travel to face Motherwell. 

Tonight's SPFL Development League encounter between the young Buddies and the Well takes place at Fir Park and will kick-off at 6pm.

Entry to the match is free.

For more news on the SPFL Development League please click HERE.

Saints make the journey to Greenock tomorrow to take on Renfrewshire rivals Morton at Cappielow. 

This match will be pay-at-the-gate.

Gate Prices

 * Proof of status must be shown.
** Children Under 12 gain free entry if accompanied by a full paying adult.

Additional information

• Wheelchair users pay but carer is free. This is limited to one carer per user and must be booked by 10am tomorrow morning (Tuesday 11 April) via the St Mirren Ticket Office. 
• Wheelchair users and carers enter via the main gate at Sinclair Street. The wheelchair section is shared with home fans and whilst under cover, rain can enter depending on wind direction. 
• The entry point for away fans are as follows: Enter via turnstiles at west side of stadium known as the Wee Dublin End. Access to sections F&G of the main stand (capacity limited to 500 and vouchers will be issued on entry to allow fans to use facilities. No re-entry to stand without a voucher). All other fans will use sections J, K, L, M behind the goal which is uncovered. There are toilet and catering facilities on site. 
• Supporters buses should drop off on the A8 dual carriageway directly outside the west turnstiles. Drivers can the continue west to the roundabout and return east to park in the main carpark situated at the bottom of Sinclair Street accessed from the A8. Parking is free for supporters buses.
• The Main Stand is a no smoking area and includes e-cigarettes or similar devices.  

For directions to Cappielow Park click here. 

St Mirren star Steven McGinn believes that pressure has been lifted slightly after coming off the foot of the Scottish Championship table.

The Buddies moved from the bottom after picking up a point against Dumbarton on Sunday.

While some may have been frustrated at not being able to take all three points McGinn was pleased they have finally moved up a place in the table.

He said: “We didn’t play well, and we weren’t nearly as good as we have been but we could have lost it and that would have been a disaster. Dumbarton made it difficult for us today, that’s why they’ve stayed in the league for the last three or four years. But they don’t carry the same expectations and pressure that comes with playing for St Mirren.

"I would have snapped your hand off to be in this position when I joined the club. Not only to get into the play offs, but to finish eighth or above, so I’m absolutely delighted with the standings.

“Before going into these two home games I didn’t see them as a must win, I saw four points as absolutely essential. It would have been good to have six but you can’t win every week.”

Saints had been stuck on the bottom since September, and McGinn thinks getting off the foot of the table will psychologically boost the side moving forward. 

We had a fantastic win at Queen of the South, and to come here and not play great to get the point and be off the bottom of the table by goal difference and hopefully we will push on from now starting from Tuesday.”

With the derby against Morton coming up tomorrow, both sides will be looking for huge wins in the final push towards the end of an eventful season.

The Ton currently sit in third place and two points behind Falkirk as they aim to secure second place. While Saints know a win would see them climb up to eighth. And McGinn admits it's a game he is relishing.

Tuesday will take care of itself and it’s a massive game for both teams," he said. "I love playing in the derby even in the Renfrewshire cup, never mind a must win league game.

"One of the reasons I signed here was to take them on and I can’t wait for it to be honest. We will give a better performance than what we did today.”

The former Sheffield United player also insists that the game against Morton will suit the side better as they'll look to attack Saints from the off.

I don’t think they will give us respect in terms of playing style. Dumbarton sat off and let us play whereas Morton will take the game to us. But with the pace we’ve got and the way we play we are capable of going there and scoring goals.”

A selection of pictures from the hospitality lounge following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Dumbarton in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Our thanks go to our Associate Match Sponsors, Boyd Insurance for their support.