St Mirren cruised to victory over Dumbarton to take a step closer to a return to the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Lewis Morgan's 15th goal of the season, along with Cammy Smith's 32nd minute strike had Saints on easy street heading into the break.
Danny Mullen then added his first home goal after the break, before substitute Gavin Reilly made it goal number 22 for the season. Lewis Morgan put the seal on a brilliant win with a stunning strike on 86 minutes.
Saints were right up for it from the off with Cammy Smith going close on three minutes when he cut in from the left, but his shot was blocked by ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Scott Gallacher.
The Buddies were awarded a free kick in a good position on the edge of the penalty box when Stephen McGinn was fouled by Liam Dick. Morgan, who scored from a similar position against Queen of the South last weekend, stepped up to take but sent it over the bar.
But just seven minutes later the winger was on the scoresheet with a lovely curling finish to put St Mirren one-nil in front. Ryan Flynn did brilliantly to steal the ball from Craig Barr before sending it into Cammy Smith's path. Smith spotted Morgan who had peeled away on the left with the 21 year-old having the time to pick his spot to send beyond Gallacher.
Cammy went close on 23 minutes only for his shot to be blocked, while Kyle Magennis almost scored in fortuitous fashion when his corner kick flew over everyone and had to be headed off the line by Barr.
St Mirren's persistence paid off on 32 minutes when Cammy Smith bundled home following a goal-line scramble to make it 2-0.
While Saints were cruising, the visitors almost pulled a goal back a minute after our second with Craig Samson making a world class save to deny Kevin Nesbit and continue his home clean sheet record.
Jack Ross' men were rampant and continued to plug away in search of a third goal before the interval. Stephen McGinn drilled an effort just past the post before Ryan Flynn slid in at the back post sending over Morgan's ball across the box.
Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Dumbarton
While Saints couldn't get a third in the first half, it didn't take them long after the interval to find it. Danny Mullen was on the end of a neat move and finished nicely beyond Gallacher to score his first goal at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The Buddies were so in control and the match had shades of the 5-0 win over Raith Rovers towards the end of last season. Mullen was so unlucky not to grab a second when his header from a corner was deflected behind.
Substitute Gavin Reilly got the much deserved fourth for St Mirren on 71 minutes. The striker's initial shot was blocked by Gallacher, but he showed his instincts to follow in the rebound to score his 22nd goal of the season.
The best was yet to come, but come it did on 86 minutes when Lewis Morgan scored his second of the night. It was an absolute screamer from the winger who drove forward and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner to put the seal on a brilliant night for the Buddies.
Full Time: St Mirren 5-0 Dumbarton
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, MacKenzie, Davis, Eckersley (Stelios 60), McGinn, Magennis (McShane 77), Flynn, C.Smith, Morgan, Mullen (Reilly 67)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Baird, Hippolyte, Sutton
Dumbarton: Gallacher, D.Smith, Dowie, Dick, Barr, Nesbit (Gallagher 55), Burt (Wilson 72), Carswell, Hutton, Froxylias (Walsh 63), Stirling
Subs Not Used: Ewings, McLaughlin, Hill, M.Stewart
Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeille
Assistant Referee: Colin McAlpine
Attendance: 3,964
Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography and John Millar © - Millar Pictures
