St Mirren inflicted a first defeat of the season on Livingston as ten men Saints earned a deserved three points at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

A Craig Halkett own goal got the Buddies off to a flying start before the Livi skipper equalised a little over five minutes later.

Saints were reduced to 10 men for a second week in a row when Gary Irvine received his marching order for a late tackle on Dale Carrick.

But a second half double from Gavin Reilly was enough to see the Buddies make it two wins from the first three league matches and end Livingston's 17 match unbeaten record.

Saints started the match well with Lewis Morgan testing Neil Alexander with only two minutes on the clock, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with a fierce effort just inside the box. 

The good start would soon pay dividends as St Mirren went ahead on 10 minutes. It all came from the effort of captain Stephen McGinn who picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward before attempting to clip the ball in to the middle for one of the oncoming Saints players. It came off Halkett's outstretched leg before looping over Alexander to send the visitors into an early lead.

The Buddies were value for their lead after the way they had started the match and could have doubled their advantage after Morgan slipped in Gavin Reilly a few minutes later. The striker had Cammy Smith in the box as support but went it alone drilling the ball mere inches by the far post. 

Saints were on top but the home side could have been level on 15 minutes when Scott Pittman rose to meet Rafaelle De Vita's cross. The midfielder powered the header goalward only to be denied by a truly wonderful save from Craig Samson. However, Saints failed to get the danger clear after the goalkeeper's save with Livingston winning a corner from which they'd find their equaliser. Halkett made amends for his part in Saints' opener as he met Josh Mullin's corner to bullet home the equaliser.

The home side grew in confidence and then, for a second week in a row, St Mirren were reduced to ten men when Gary Irvine was shown a straight red after catching Dale Carrick late. That meant a change of shape for the Buddies, going from a 3-4-3 to a 4-4-1 and gave the Lions a man advantage with around an hour of the match still to go. 

The windy conditions were also making it difficult for Saints as Livingston tried to make their extra man count. Craig Samson was on hand to deny De Vita's header after the forward met a terrific Mullin cross at the far post, before strong hands from the keeper kept out Joe Thomson's long range effort just before the interval.

Half Time: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren

Livingston came out of the traps quickly with Pittman having a shot blocked by Adam Eckersley.

But it was the visitors who would take the lead for a second time despite being down a man. Lewis Morgan was caught late 40 yards from the Livi goal as he tried to burst forward at pace and Saints were awarded a free kick. Ian McShane floated the ball into the box, where it was headed out only as far as Cammy Smith who let fly. Alexander got his hands to the effort, but only succeeding in pushing the ball into the path of Gavin Reilly who knocked it home.

And less than 10 minutes later the Buddies were three to the good with Reilly again on the scoresheet. Like the first it came from a free kick after Cammy Smith was pushed. McShane flung it deep into the Livingston box where he picked out Stelios who had peeled away at the far corner. The Cypriot nodded a header across the face of goal where Reilly was sliding into to crash it into the net to give Saints a cushion.

The drama in the match was far from over as Danny Mullen went into the book for a poor challenge on Stelios. Manager Jack Ross was sent to the stand as he protested the decision to take the full back off the pitch after receiving treatmenta.

Livingston had to chase the game, but it was Saints who were looking the more likely with the speed of Morgan causing problems when he hit the home side on the counter on several occasions. The closest the winger came was on 84 minutes when he broke through with John Sutton in support. He elected to go alone but saw his attempt blocked by Halkett.

The home side almost pulled one back two minutes later when substitute Nikolay Todorov cracked the bar after being teed off by Cadden. 

But the makeshift St Mirren defence held firm and Saints picked up a big three points to move them up to fourth place with just three games played. 

Full Time: Livingston 1-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Buchanan, Eckersley, L.Smith, McGinn, McShane, Stelios, C.Smith (Kirkpatrick 74), Morgan, Reilly (Sutton 67)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Whyte, O'Keefe, Stewart, Duffy

Livingston: Alexander, Longridge, Halkett, Gallagher, Byrne (Mackin 66) , Pittman, Thomson, Mullen, Mullin, Carrick (Todorov 71), De Vita (Cadden 60)
Subs Not Used: Maley, Penrice, Knox, Jacobs

Referee: Craig Thomson
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Ross Anderson

Attendance: 1609

St Mirren are back on league duty tomorrow as they travel to West Lothian to face Livingston in the Ladbrokes Championship after their IRN-BRU Cup exploits earlier in the week.

The Buddies bested a stubborn East Kilbride in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday night, scoring two goals in the last few minutes to win 2-1. The Lowland League side had somehow managed to keep Saints at bay, with Jack Ross' side registering 33 shots in the match, before scoring with less than 10 minutes remaining to take a shock lead.

With St Mirren heading for the exit door at the first hurdle, Ross Stewart did well to get in front of the opposition defender to reach Stelios' ball into the box and lifted it over Kilby goalkeeper Jacob Kean to level the scores on 87 minutes. The game was poised for extra-time only for the ball to end up at the feet of Lewis Morgan in the 92nd minute after a scramble in the box. The young winger composed himself before crashing a low shot in off the post in the 92nd minute to give Saints the win. 

Meanwhile, tomorrow's opponents Livingston's IRN-BRU Cup campaign also got off to a winning start with David Hopkin guiding his side to a 2-0 win over Morton at Cappielow. Nikolay Todorov fired the Lions into the lead after just five minutes before a second half goal from Danny Mullen secured their passage into the second round. It was a result that maintains the newly promoted side's unbeaten start to domestic football this season. 

St Mirren have already taken on the Lions this campaign when Hopkin brought his men to the Paisley 2021 Stadium in the Betfred Cup in July. Dale Carrick's second minute strike was enough for the visitors to take home the three points in Betfred Cup Group H with a 1-0 win. 

However, Saints can take heart from the fact that they have won in their last five trips to the Tony Macaroni Arena - a run stretching back to November 1999. In those five matches the Buddies have won by a scoreline of 2-1 twice, 3-2 on two occasions along with a 1-0 victory. The last St Mirren defeat away to Livingston came in the second round of the Challenge Cup back in 1995 when the Lions ran out 2-0 winners.

Both sides are likely to come in to tomorrow's match looking to make up for league results last week. 10 man Saints were defeated 4-1 by rivals Morton, while Livingston saw a two goal lead against Brechin slip to allow the Angus side a share of the spoils. Despite their unbeaten start to the season, Livingston's two draws in the league see them sit one place below the Buddies who are in fifth thanks to their opening day win over Falkirk. 

The Buddies will be without Jack Baird who is suspended following his red card in the derby last week while Dale Hilson, Kyle Magennis and Josh Todd remain sidelined. 

Ahead of the match, manager Jack Ross said: "We are as we were squad wise with the exception of Jack [Baird].

"I think it's been a peculiar season so far as we've been a bit up and down. The one thing we have lacked is consistency.

"But we go into the game in a good frame of mind and the players have a belief that they can go and win it.

"I don't think there was much between the two teams when they came to our place in the Betfred Cup. For the players to know about their players and some of their strengths and weaknesses it is beneficial that we've played them already.

"I look forward to it though. It's always a good stadium to go to." 

St Mirren in the Community Football Centres return this coming Tuesday (22nd August) for the new season. 

The classes will run from Tuesday to Saturday until June 2018, however, please note that centres will not run during the October, Festive and Easter School holidays. 

Sessions may be subject to change due to events taking place within the centres throughout the term. Any changes will be announced ahead of time on stmirren.com.

Schedule

Tuesdays
Arkleston Primary School, Renfrew - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Arkleston Primary School, Renfrew - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Wednesdays
Ralston Primary School, Ralston - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Ralston Primary School, Ralston - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Thursdays
Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch - 3-5 years - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch - 6-12 years - 5:00pm to 6:00pm 

Fridays
Gryffe High School, Houston - 3-5 years - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Gryffe High School, Houston - 6-12 years - 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturdays
Airdome @ Paisley 2021 Stadium - 3-7 years - 9:00am to 10:00am
Airdome @ Paisley 2021 Stadium - 8-12 years - 10:00am to 11:00am

All sessions are £3.50. 

For further information about St Mirren in the Community call: 0141-889-2558 or email: communityadmin@stmirren.com  

Tomorrow afternoon (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.

This bus is now sold out. 

* Family option is for two adults and two children under 16.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 19th August, St Mirren head to West Lothian to face Livingston in a Ladbrokes Champions match-up.

Entry to this match is pay-at-the-gate and the gate  prices for the fixture at The Tony Macaroni Arena are confirmed above.

The referee tomorrow is Craig Thomson and he will be assisted by David McGeachie and Ross Anderson.

The good folk at Livingston have said that St Mirren fans will be welcome in The Almondvale Suite at The Tony Macaroni Arena where food and drink will be on offer along with live sports on TV and FIFA for the younger fans.  The Almondvale Suite will be open from 12:00pm.

For directions to The Tony Macaroni Arena click here

St Mirren have been drawn to face Hearts Colts in the second round of the IRN-BRU Cup. 

The match will take place on the weekend of 2nd/3rd September at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Saints knocked out Lowland League side East Kilbride in Tuesday evening's 1st Round tie 

Ticket arrangements will announced in due course. 

St Mirren's home match against Queen of the South on Saturday 23rd September has been rescheduled after being selected for live coverage on BBC ALBA.

The match will now take place on Sunday 24th September with a 4:10pm kick-off.

The full details for the rescheduled fixture are as follows:

St Mirren v Queen of the South
Ladbrokes Championship
Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Sunday, 24th September 2017
Live on BBC ALBA, 4:10pm kick-off

A gallery of pictures from St Mirren's 2-1 win over East Kilbride in the IRN-BRU Cup last night.

Saints went 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go and appeared to be staring at a shock first round exit before Ross Stewart and Lewis Morgan scored in the last five minutes to put the Buddies through.

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

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