St Mirren play host to Dumbarton tomorrow as Stephen Aitken's side make the short trip across the Erskine Bridge to take on Saints in the Ladbrokes Championship.
The Buddies could climb off the bottom of the table with a win tomorrow if other results go their way. It would be a huge moment for the side that have been rooted to the bottom since September. And with survival the main goal, the Saints are giving themselves a good chance of beating the drop with a fine run of form.
The team have won five of their last seven league games - the most recent a thumping 6-2 win over ninth placed Ayr United last weekend. It's a run that sees Saints undefeated in their last four league matches at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Stephen Aitken's Sons are also on a decent run with two wins from their last four. They defeated relegation rivals Raith 4-0 at home before enjoying a 1-0 victory over promotion chasing Morton last week. They travel to Paisley undefeated against Saints this season - coming out on top once, while drawing the other two.
The first meeting came back in September when Ryan Hardie's first half header earned St Mirren a point after Andy Stirling had put Dumbarton ahead at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.
The Sons travelled to Paisley in November, leaving with all three points when a mistake from Jamie Langfield allowed Garry Fleming to strike for the visitors. It was a result that saw Saints lose ground at the bottom, falling six points behind Dumbarton.
Saints made the trip to Dumbarton in February with a new look squad following Jack Ross' squad revamp in the January transfer window. Things were looking good for the Buddies when David Clarkson put them ahead on 35 minutes after getting on the end of a Cammy Smith cross.
Dumbarton hit back through Christian Nade before Harry Davis put Saints ahead for a second time. But again the hosts fought back with Robert Thomson scoring to level with 10 minutes to go.
St Mirren's last win over Dumbarton came at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in February last year with Saints narrow 1-0 victors.
Saints will be without Lewis Morgan after his injury in the win over Ayr United last week. That could see Josh Todd make a start against his former club. The Englishman has only started once for the Saints since leaving Dumbarton in January, but climbed off the bench last week to help set up the sixth goal.
While Saints could also come up against two familiar faces with Stuart Carswell and Calum Gallagher in the Dumbarton squad. The pair were signed for St Mirren by Ian Murray and played at the Paisley 2021 Stadium last season with Carswell leaving in the summer and Gallagher going in January of this year. Garry Fleming, so often the scourge of the Saints in recent meetings between the sides, misses out due to suspension, but Sons will be able to call on Nade who returns from him ban.
A win, and the opportunity to come off the bottom with just five matches remaining, would be a huge psychological boost for the Buddies. For Dumbarton, they know a win could effectively secure their Championship status for next season. It's all set up to be a tasty encounter at the Paisley 2021 Stadium tomorrow.
