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.
