Match Report: St Mirren 1-0 Inverness

Match Report: St Mirren 1-0 Inverness

Gavin Reilly became the first Saints player in more than quarter of a century to bag 20 goals in a season as the Buddies edged past Inverness Caley Thistle.

The striker's big moment came just before the half hour mark as he collected a pass from Cammy Smith before thumping the ball high into the net to reach a tally no Saints player had managed since Barry Lavety back in 1992-93.

Jack Ross' side should probably have been further in front by the break, Stelios hitting the bar with a tremendous long-range shot, and it was unlikely they would have things all their own way in the second half.

Sure enough, Caley Thistle looked a different side and felt they'd scored when Liam Polwarth's cross hit the post and headed towards goal, the officials feeling Craig Samson had scrambled it clear before it crossed the line. The keeper also kept out efforts from George Oakley and Connor Bell as Saints made it six games unbeaten.

Oakley started on the bench but was called into action sharpish when new Caley Thistle signing Nathan Robertson had to go off injured. It was the hosts who made all the early running, neat play allowing Lewis Morgan to wriggle some space to get a shot away but Mark Ridgers managed to hold it. A tremendous move then almost gave Saints the lead as Stephen McGinn performed some trickery in the middle of the park, releasing the ball to Morgan just before the captain was clattered. With ref Willie Collum playing advantage, Morgan got to the byline and cut the ball back for Cammy Smith, whose shot was blocked by Liam Polwarth. As Smith claimed for handball, the ball sat up nicely for Kyle Magennis who fired a shot a yard or two over Ridgers' top corner.

Caley Thistle didn't really trouble the Buddies defence until Aaron Doran found former Buddie John Baird, who flashed a shot past Samson's far post. The striker's next effort was deflected over by Harry Davis and moments later Saints took the lead. McGinn slid a great pass to Cammy Smith who found Reilly, the striker's heavy first touch taking him away from his man and setting him up perfectly to thump home his 20th goal of the season.

The visitors tried to respond quickly, Doran shooting tamely at Samson after being picked out by Baird before Joe Chalmers curled a shot wide. However, it was Saints could have doubled their lead before the break, Morgan sending Stelios away and he cut onto his right foot before cracking the bar from long range.

The visitors came flying out of the traps in the second half, Doran shooting narrowly wide before Polwarth went even closer. Samson left the midfielder's cross and could only watch as it hit the post, the Saints keeper scurrying back to claw it away. The Caley Thistle players and fans appealed for a goal and it did look as if the ball had crossed the line before Samson rescued the situation, however the officials remained unmoved.

Saints had been getting forward often enough but seemed reluctant to shoot, Cammy Smith going some way to putting that right when his 20-yard drive was turned behind by Ridgers. Ian McShane also went close as his shot from the edge of the box was deflected narrowly wide. Caley Thistle almost took advantage of their good luck when Carl Tremarco found Oakley a few yards out but he was far too casual with his shot, which was straight at Samson.

Saints had the ball in the net 10 minutes from time but Ridgers had been fouled. Moments later Morgan fired the ball across goal for Reilly at the back post but he couldn't wrap his foot around it to steer it home. Morgan then burst forward before shooting wide before two of Caley's subs almost drew them level, Jake Mulraney charging to the byline and picking out Connor Bell whose close range shot was well blocked by Samson. There was to be one more chance for the visitors but Oakley headed wide as Saints moved six points clear at the top of the Championship.

Full Time: St Mirren 1-0 Inverness

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Stelios, McGinn, McShane (Mullen 72), Magennis, C.Smith (Irvine 90), Morgan, Reilly
Subs Not Used: Stewart,  MacKenzie, Erhahon, O'Keefe, Sutton

Inverness: Ridgers, Raven, Tremarco, Warren, McKay, Chalmers, Trafford, Polworth, Doran (Mulraney 75), Baird (Bell 81), Austin (Oakley 9)
Subs Not Used: Esson, Brown, Calder, Seedorf, Bell

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence

Attendance: 4,448

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

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