Saints' search for a first league win of the season continued as they were edged out 1-0 by Dunfermline at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
Nicky Clark's first half goal proved to be enough for the Pars, as a combination of poor finishing and an inspired display by visiting keeper Sean Murdoch made it a frustrating evening for the Buddies.
It's a result that leaves Saints seven points adrift at the bottom of the table and manager Jack Ross is still waiting for his first league win since taking charge at the beginning of October.
The team was along similar lines to the one that beat Ayr United last week, the only change being Ben Gordon replacing the injured Gary MacKenzie.Youngsters Kyle McAllister and Kyle Magennis both impressed in that game and kept their places. Paul McMullan, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Saints, was on the Dunfermline bench with manager Allan Johnston showing his attacking intent by starting Nicky Clark, Farid El Alagui, Kallum Higginbotham and Michael Paton.
Saints started well, Jason Naismith's early burst forward allowing him to get a shot in that took a deflection on its way through to Pars keeper Sean Murdoch before Lewis Morgan was unlucky not to open the scoring, the youngster heading wide from McAllister's cross. Clark found the target with his header from Higginbotham's free-kick but it was straight at Saints keeper Scott Gallacher.
Just before the half hour mark the goalie was left rather exposed from Rhys McCabe's free-kick. Lee Ashcroft looked likely to score after getting in behind the defence but made a mess of his chance, however before Saints could breath a sigh of relief the ball trickled past Gallacher and across to Clark who slammed it into the unguarded net to put the visitors in front.
The Buddies pushed to find an equaliser and while they got themselves into decent positions, the final ball was lacking. Dunfermline were able to get a few efforts in, although Gallacher was untroubled by the attempts from El Alagui and Paton. Just before the break Murdoch was finally called into meaningful action, Stevie Mallan's sliding a pass through to McAllister whose shot was well turned over by the visiting goalie. Sutton went even closer soon after, Murdoch somehow tipping away the striker's header from McAllister's cross before the Pars defence scrambled the ball clear.
Half Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dunfermline
Saints had finished the half strongly but almost fell further behind as the game resumed, El Alagui heading wide from Higginbotham's dangerous free-kick. Lawrence Shankland replaced David Clarkson as Saints looked for a way back into the game, Mallan seeing his long range shot parried by Murdoch before the keeper pounced on the loose ball.
It hadn't been too lively a game and some end to end action just after the hour mark was just what the doctor ordered. First, Gary Irvine and Ben Gordon got in each other's way trying to deal with a bouncing ball allowing Dunfermline to send Clark through on goal, however Gallacher stayed tall and blocked the shot. Saints immediately attacked and Naismith fired a ball across goal that just needed the merest touch to level the scores but the stretching Shankland couldn't connect. With the ball not properly cleared, it was played back to Naismith who smashed a shot into the side netting.
Murdoch was having a terrific game, Morgan the next to be denied when he let fly from 20 yards. This time the keeper wasn't able to react quickly enough to prevent more danger and Sutton slid in, only to watch in agony as the ball rolled the wrong side of the post. The frustration increased further when Shankland hit the deck at the edge of the box and was promptly booked for his troubles. Paton's last involvement saw him stroll forward and shoot widely off target just before he was replaced by McMullan with Saints introducing Ryan Hardie at the expense of Gordon. McMullan almost sealed things only for his shot to be parried by Gallacher, Lewis McLear replacing Magennis for the last 10 minutes.
Saints threw what they could at the visitors in the dying minutes. A deflected Shankland shot bounced narrowly wide with McLear also going close. Five minutes of stoppage time provided some hope but McAllister was unable to take the best chance, the ball sitting up nicely for the youngster who sliced his shot wide. As Saints pushed, Dunfermline almost added to their lead in the dying seconds as Michael Moffat – on for El Alagui – hit the post and Clark's attempt to force the ball home was kept out by Gallacher. It was the last action of a frustrating evening as the Saints remain bottom.
Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dunfermline
St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Baird, Gordon (Hardie, 76), Irvine, Mallan, Magennis (McLear, 82), McAllister, Clarkson (Shankland, 51), Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Gallagher, Hutton, Stewart
Dunfermline: Murdoch, Talbot, Martin, Ashcroft, Herron, Fordyce, McCabe, Clark, El Alagui (Moffat, 90), Paton (McMullan, 77), Higginbotham
Subs Not Used: Hutton, Cardle, Duthie, Galloway, Smith
Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Brian Templeton
Assistant Referee: Steven Strang
Fourth Official: Colin Steven
Attendance: 2,126
Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.
Match Gallery Pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures
