Jack Ross gives stmirren.com his reaction following the team's loss in the IRN-BRU Cup final.

It wasn't to be for Saints when Thomas Mikklesen headed the winner for Dundee United despite Rory Loy equalising after Tony Andreu's opener.

St Mirren's dreams of winning silverware this season were ended at the final hurdle as the Buddies fell 2-1 to Dundee United in the IRN-BRU Cup. 

Rory Loy cancelled out Tony Andreu's first half opener for Ray McKinnon's side. But Thomas Mikklesen scored with a header to win it for the Tangerines.

United started the opening exchanges brightly with efforts from Andreu and Simon Murray going wide. The latter seeing his attempt go narrowly by O'Brien's near post and come off the side netting.

Stevie Mallan was fouled around 20 yards out after failing to shake off Willo Flood. The award of a free kick in what has become known as 'Mallan territory' was greeted with glee from supporters when the midfielder stepped forward to take. 

Loy, on loan from United's city rivals, went closest in the opening 20 minutes when he clipped the outside of the post. The striker nudged himself in front of the defender to get a toe on Lewis Morgan's ball in but could only watch it crack off the woodwork before going wide.

It was Morgan who arguably had the best opportunity of the match when he sent a shot just wide of Cammy Bell's far post. The young winger burst on to a flick on from John Sutton and broke into the box to go one-on-one with the keeper but watched in agony as 

United weren't far away from breaking the deadlock moments later when Andreu flashed an attempt just wide of the target. It was a warning sign from the striker who had scored twice at the Paisley 2021 Stadium when the two sides met just over a week ago.

However, it was St Mirren who looked the more likely and a wonderful teasing ball from Kyle Magennis would have yielded the opener had someone in black and white been there to attack. Adam Eckersley picked it up on the left side and swung it back in to meet Magennis who shaped for the shot only for Cammy Bell to smother.

And, frustratingly, United were ahead not long after when that man Andreu did what he had threatened to do when he buried the ball beyond O'Brien. Saints failed to clear their lines and the ball came back to the Frenchman outside the box who lashed the Tangerines ahead.

It could have been a setback but the Buddies weren't going to let it be as they levelled the game straight from kick-off. Sutton took kick off, playing the ball to McGinn who switched the play to Irvine who charged down the right wing before picking out Loy in space. The striker opened up his foot, tucking it into the far corner of the net.

Loy's goal was the perfect response and Saints were back in buoyant mood. Gary MacKenzie had a great chance to put St Mirren ahead just before half time as he climbed above the United defence to get his head on a Mallan corner but sent it wide. It would've been a fitting end to a first half where the Buddies were on top.

Half Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren

The second half looked set to be a cracker after an excellent first 45. But it didn't quite live up to its billing.

Mallan, celebrating his 21st birthday, had a go from a free kick early into the second period after Loy was felled right on the edge of the box. The midfielder elected to go low with the shot but it was blocked by Flood. 

There wasn't too much in the way of good opportunities for either side throughout. 

With just 15 minutes remaining, United took the lead for the second time in the match. Substitute Mikklesen rose above the St Mirren defence to bullet home Simon Murray's cross. It was a bitter blow for Saints who, try as they may, couldn't fashion any clear cut chances to get back into the match. 

Saints went close to grabbing another quick leveller when Mallan curled a shot just wide of the far post.

But it was the Tangerines who looked the more likely to grab a killer third when Ali Coote went close on two occasions only to see one whistle by the post and another well saved by O'Brien.

It wasn't to be for the Buddies and all efforts will now be focused on the vital run-in in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Full Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Eckersley, Magennis (O'Keefe 84), McGinn, Mallan, Morgan, Loy, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Webster, Fjelde, Whyte, Watters

Dundee Utd: Bell, Durnan, Edjenguele, Murdoch, Flood, Telfer, Robson, Coote (Donaldson 89), van der Velden (Mikklesen 58), Andreu, Murray (Nicholls 80)
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Dixon, Toshney, van der Struijk

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 8,089

Jack Ross makes one change to the side that defeated Queen of the South last Saturday.

Cammy Smith is cup-tied and John Sutton comes in in his place. The striker has scored four goals for Saints in the run to the final and partners Rory Loy up front. 

Stevie Mallan also starts for the Buddied on his 21st birthday.

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, McGinn, Mallan, Magennis, Morgan, Sutton, Loy
Subs: Langfield, Webster, Fjelde, Stelios, O'Keefe, Whyte, Watters 

A limited number of tickets for the Phil O'Donnell stand will be on sale to St Mirren supporters at the Motherwell Ticket Office from 11am onwards tomorrow. 

Tickets are priced at £20 for adults, £10 for concessions (juveniles aged 12 to 18 & over 65s & students) and U12s £5. Please note that those with a concession ticket must bring proof of ID.

All fans attending the IRN-BRU Cup Final on Saturday should that enhanced search arrangements will be in place. This additional safety measure has the potential to delay entry into the ground so fans are strongly encouraged to get to the stadium as early as possible. Turnstiles will open at 11am.

Tomorrow's IRN-BRU Cup final will be a special occasion for Stephen Mallan. 

Not only will the midfielder being taking to the field in his first ever cup final, he also turns 21 years-old. 

And if that wasn't enough Mallan, alongside team-mate Lewis Morgan, will be joining up with the Scotland U21 squad on Saturday night as he targets his first national team cap. 

It's all geared up to be a whirlwind 24 hours for the St Mirren Youth Academy graduate. But he admits he can't wait for it to get underway.

It's going to be a very hectic weekend for myself," he confessed to stmirren.com. "I'm going to the hotel with the boys to prepare for the cup final, hopefully win the cup final and then Morgy and I have to shoot away and meet the 21s.

"I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully will be involved in the U21s on Tuesday. It's a big weekend for myself and I'm buzzing for it.

"After the cup final we're going for a meal with the boys. We'll go to the meal and then all the boys will probably shoot out after that and Morgy and I will shoot away up to Edinburgh to meet the squad. I've always wanted to play for the 21s so hopefully I'll go and get my first cap. 

"It'll be my first cup final and hopefully I can go out and get a win. We've got a lot of confidence from the last time we played Dundee United. We put a good display in and it was a great match so hopefully the cup final will be a good game for both teams. Hopefully there will be a lot of fans there and I'm pretty sure that the St Mirren fans will be out in their numbers."

Mallan believes that the mood in the camp has been great this week and said that the manager has urged them to enjoy the build up to it.

Everyone is going to be buzzing for it," he said. "We won't have to lift each other as everyone knows the importance of a cup final. No matter what cup it is you want to win it. 

"The gaffer said we've just to come in and make it as fun as possible. That's what it has felt like it has been. It's been a very good week for the boys and we're really looking forward to Saturday. 

"Every time we've come into a cup game the gaffer has always said to just relax. We've managed to do very well. Recently we've started to breed that into our league form. The boys have got a lot more confidence. 

"When you get to a final - no matter what final - it's going to be a good team you're playing. Dundee United are competing for promotion. It's going to be a hard and a very close cup final but I'm sure it'll be very good for everyone to watch."

The midfielder knows what a win in the cup could mean for Saints hopes of staying in the Ladbrokes Championship this season, but believes that recent wins in the league has given the belief that the team can avoid relegation.

"Well it would bring a lot more confidence I'd say. We've already beaten Hibs and Dundee United already. If we know we can go and beat teams like that then you can go and beat anybody in the league."

Please note that the Stadium, Ticket Office and Club Shop will all be closed this coming Monday (27th March).

It's the IRN-BRU Cup final tomorrow as St Mirren take on Dundee United at Fir Park for the chance to win domestic silverware for the first time since the League Cup triumph in 2013.

It's been a tricky road to the final for Saints this season, with the Buddies having to come from behind in all four ties they've played. It started back in September when a trip to Coatbridge to face Albion Rovers saw the side 2-0 down after just 13 minutes. But goals from Lewis Morgan, Stevie Mallan and John Sutton saw the Buddies go 3-2 up. They were, however, pegged back mere moments after making it 3-2 when Ross Dunlop scored his second of the match for the hosts. Saints scored the winner in extra time with Lawrence Shankland getting on the end of Sutton's cross to send Saints through.

St Mirren, having just announced the appointment of Jack Ross, travelled to Easter Road to face Hibernian in October. Caretaker manager Allan McManus was in charge of the team for the final time ahead of Jack's arrival and guided the side to a 2-1 win in Edinburgh with goals from Mallan and David Clarkson sealing Saints place in the quarter-final. 

Indeed, Jack's first win as St Mirren manager came in the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final tie against Ayr United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. Again the Buddies had to come from behind with Andy O'Connell firing the visitors into the lead on 68 minutes. But Sutton was at the double, scoring two goals in as many minutes in the last 10 minutes of the game to seal a remarkable comeback. 

All that stood in Saints way of a potential cup final was Welsh side, The New Saints. It was never going to be that simple though with TNS on a remarkable run of form this season. And the visitors proved they were up for the challenge when Ryan Brobbel put them 1-0 up with a great strike just before the half time interval. The Buddies came roaring back in the second half, aided by a real captain's performance from Stephen McGinn. The midfielder got Saints level with a magnificent goal on the hour mark. Mallan got his third goal in the competition less than ten minutes later to put St Mirren ahead. Sutton had the chance to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot, but saw his effort saved by TNS goalkeeper Harrison. He'd make no mistake a minute later though as he crashed home an effort after being laid off by Kyle Magennis. Rory Loy wrapped up the win in injury time when he knocked home from Mallan's free kick. 

United's IRN-BRU Cup journey began with a hard-fought 3-2 win after extra-time against Peterhead. Tony Andreu's 116th minute goal finally saw off the stubborn League One side to set up an away trip to Stranraer. Again Andreu was the hero as he scored the game's only goal to give the Tangerines a 1-0 win. Championship side Dunfermline were overcome in the quarter-finals by the same scoreline thanks to Mark Durnan's early goal. 

Their place in the final was secured with a 3-2 triumph over Queen of the South at Palmerston. United raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Charlie Telfer, Scott Fraser and Andreu. Stephen Dobbie pulled one back for Queens before Derek Lyle scored in injury time to make United sweat, but they held on to make their second Challenge Cup final. 

For Saints this will be their third Challenge Cup final after having lost 3-0 to Falkirk back in 1993 and defeating Hamilton Accies 2-1 to clinch the cup in 2005. 

United have played in the final once before, losing on penalties to Stenhousemuir in 1995 following a goalless 90 minutes and extra time. 

The only time the St Mirren have faced Dundee United in a cup final came 30 years ago in May when Ian Ferguson's injury time saw the Buddies defeat United 1-0 to win their third Scottish Cup.

Saints come in to tomorrow's final in their best form all season. The Buddies have won four of their last six league matches including a 3-2 win over Dundee United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium just over a week ago. Whereas Ray McKinnon's side have failed to win since their 3-2 victory over Queen of the South in the semi-final last month. However, as is the old cliche, the form book goes out the window for both sides in this one-off match.

A win for St Mirren could help boost the players confidence ahead of the run-in to avoid relegation. For United, they will be desperate to use the cup final as the catalyst to kick-start their promotion hopes. With Saints tickets almost sold out, tomorrow promises to be a great occasion for players and supporters alike.

The club are offering special ticket pricing for the Family Stand for the upcoming home game against Ayr United and an offer for Season Ticket holders for the match against Dumbarton a week later.

For the game against Ayr United on 1st April adults can purchase a ticket for £10 for the Family Stand as well as get up to two free tickets for under 12s. There will be no online option for the uptake of this offer, tickets will need to be purchased either direct at the St Mirren Ticket Office or on the phone. The offer will also be available on the day of the match (subject to availability).

The following week (Saturday 8th April) when Saints face Dumbarton, Season Ticket holders can bring along a friend for £10 and up to two children free of charge. This offer will also be available on match day.

For more details on these offers you can contact the St Mirren Ticket Office by phone on (0141) 840-6130 or by e-mail:  tickets@stmirren.com.

Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 25th March) St Mirren head to Motherwell to face Ray McKinnon's Dundee United side in the IRN-BRU Cup Final at Fir Park.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Fir Park for the final is as follows::

North End Travel Club

Last we heard tickets for this bus were still on sale but you would be best to contact The Brewer's Tap to confirm availability.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

Our buses for this match are now sold out.

Chivas Travel Club

Our buses for this match are now sold out.

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

Both of our buses for the final are now sold out.

Please note that the St Mirren Ticket Office now have just under 250 tickets remaining from the club's allocation for tomorrow's final.

Subject to availability, fans have till 2:00pm today to get a ticket for tomorrow's final as there will be no sale of tickets on the day of the match.

St Mirren fans have been allocated the Davie Cooper Stand and the Phil O'Donnell Stand at Fir Park for tomorrow's final. Tickets for the Davie Cooper Stand are now sold out but there are still just under 250 available for the Phil O'Donnell Stand, but the tickets are selling fast.

The St Mirren Ticket Office (Main Stand) opening hours in the build up to this match are as follows:

Fri, 24th Mar: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Sat, 25th Mar: CLOSED

Ticket Office Phone No: (0141) 840-6130.
St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Please note that the Club Shop is also open the same hours as the Ticket Office.

Additional Information

Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday 25th March, St Mirren head to Fir Park to face Dundee United in the IRN-BRU Cup Final.

The ticket prices have now been confirmed for the cup tie at Fir Park and these are shown above.

The referee for tomorrow's match is Nick Walsh and he will be assisted by Sean Carr and Gary Hilland. The fourth official will be Steven Kirkland

Fans attending the IRN-BRU Cup Final, should note that enhanced search arrangements will be in place at this fixture. This additional safety measure has the potential to delay entry into the ground so fans are strongly encouraged to get to the Stadium as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open at 11:00am, 90 minutes before kick-off.

All supporters with a concession ticket must bring proof of ID such as a valid student card. Failure to do so will result in supporters being unable to gain access to the stadium.

For directions to Fir Park click here