St Mirren got back to winning ways with a seventh home win in a row after picking up all three points against Queen of the South at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The Buddies move back up to second in the league, a single point behind leaders Dunfermline after the 3-1 victory over the Doonhamers.
However, Saints were made to work for it with Queens starting the early proceedings brightly.
The visitors got a fortunate break of the ball that almost allowed Stephen Dobbie a tap-in on six minutes. Then, on eight minutes, Derek Lyle was denied by the offside flag. Dobbie had gone on an unchallenged solo run into the box and cut the ball across the face of goal to his veteran strike partner Lyle who slid the ball home. But to the Buddies relief the linesman quickly raised his flag to rule it out. Craig Samson had to be alert a couple of minutes later as he held a low drive from Lyndon Dykes.
Saints started to grow more into the match and took the lead on 25 minutes. A ball swung in from Liam Smith came off Gavin Reilly and landed nicely at the feet of Cammy Smith. It's one that Queens goalkeeper Alan Martin will want to forget as Smith's took a touch to create space before firing a low effort that squirmed through the goalkeepers hands.
Liam Smith's was involved in the second goal as well just a few minutes later. His ball from the right was knocked into path of Lewis Morgan via a deflection and the Scotland U21 international struck it with real venom from the edge of the area across the face of the goalkeeper to double Saints advantage. It was a stunning hit from a player who is in top form as it skited across the wet surface and into the back of the net.
The Buddies were two to the good and had a firm grip on the match. Morgan could have had a second on 38 minutes after Josh Todd found him just outside the area. The winger broke into the box and attempted to squeeze the ball in at the near post but it was gathered by Martin.
Queens didn't pose Saints many problems for the remainder of the first half with a Lyle header easily gathered by Samson the closest they came to getting a goal back before the break.
Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Queen of the South
Saints were dealt an early blow in the second half as Josh Todd went down injured as he appeared to dislocate his shoulder for a second time in a few short months. It was a disappointing moment for the side and for the player who had been playing well on his first start of the season.
But the Buddies wouldn't let that affect them as they added a third less than ten minutes after the break. A short corner routine saw Ian McShane work the ball to Cammy Smith who played it to Morgan and back to McShane. McShane then returned it to Morgan who took one touch before driving it low beyond Martin from 25 yards to grab his second of the afternoon.
Despite being three goals down, Queens seemed determined to find a way back into the match. A long range effort from Dobbie almost caught out Samson, with the keeper doing well in the wet conditions to push it wide on the hour mark.
The visitors would indeed pull a goal back when a Jason Kerr header on 64 minutes looped over Samson.
The Doonhamers grew in confidence and continued to try to reduce the deficit. The experienced Dobbie went close with a free kick that was deflected just by the left hand post less than 10 minutes later. Samson made a good save to deny Callum Fordyce who struck his effort well.
In the end Saints managed to see the game out fairly comfortably as they returned to second in the table ahead of next weekend's match against Brechin.
Full Time: St Mirren 3-1 Queen of the South
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, McCart, Stelios (Irvine 88), McGinn, McShane, C.Smith, Todd (Stewart 47), Morgan, Reilly (Kirkpatrick 73)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Hilson, Duffy, Sutton
Queen of the South: Martin, Rooney, Marshall, Fordyce, Brownlie (Tapping 63), Rankin, Jacobs, Kerr, Dykes (Kane 63) , Dobbie, Lyle (McFadden 73)
Subs Not Used: Leighfield, Stirling, Murray, Mercer
Referee: Barry Cook
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: Craig Napier
Attendance: 3,023
