St Mirren won at the SMiSA Stadium for the eighth time in the cinch Premiership this season following a 1-0 victory over Ross County.
Declan Gallagher's early goal was enough to give the Buddies a well-deserved three points and there was a clean sheet for Trevor Carson on a day that the club paid its respects to former goalkeeper Billy Thomson who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Both sides take part in a minute's applause to pay tribute to ex-St Mirren goalkeeper Billy Thomson (Image: Allan Picken)
Saints were boosted by the news that Curtis Main passed a late fitness test after being a huge doubt the day before with a hamstring issue. Greg Kiltie and Ryan Flynn came into midfield in place of the injured Alex Gogic and Keanu Baccus, while Charles Dunne returned in place of Richard Taylor and Thierry Small replaced Scott Tanser.
St Mirren made a bright start and that was rewarded with the opening goal on seven minutes. It was a brilliant header from Gallagher as he rose above the Ross County defence to bullet home from Ryan Strain's corner.
Stephen Robinson's side controlled the opening 25 minutes and Strain had two decent opportunities to double the Buddies' lead. On 22 minutes he was found at the back post by Marcus Fraser and his effort was blocked by County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw. A minute later a header from the Staggies defence fell nicely to the Saints full-back, but he volleyed well over.
Ross County's first real chance came just before the half-hour mark when ex-Saint Keith Watson slid in to meet a George Harmon ball to the back post, but he fired over.
The Staggies had a big opportunity early into the second 45 after good work from substitute Owura Edwards down the right-hand side. He drove into the box and saw his effort blocked by the feet of Trevor Carson. The ball came back out to Nohan Kenneh who knocked over from close-range. County had another decent chance on 53 minutes when half-time substitute Ross Callachan fired over from the edge of the box after being first on to Jordan White's knock-down.
Saints dealt with the early second-half pressure from County and had two decent chances after the hour mark. Main turned a low Kiltie ball wide on 62 minutes before Watt spun well in the box on 66 minutes but shot over.
St Mirren could have killed the game off as we headed into the final 10 minutes. Main had a shot deflected on to the post in 78 minutes and four minutes later County goalkeeper Laidlaw made a brilliant double save to deny substitute Kieran Offord and Strain.
Ross County were reduced to 10 men heading into stoppage time following a VAR check as Owura Edwards was given his marching orders for a foul on Carson. Saints would see the game out, but goalscorer Gallagher had to be substituted off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Ross County
St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher (R.Taylor 90), Dunne, Strain, Flynn, O'Hara (c), Kiltie, Small (Shaughnessy 56), Watt (Offord 78), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Campbell, F.Taylor, Gilmartin, Jamieson
Ross County: Laidlaw, Watson, Baldwin (Callachan 46), Iacovitti, Randall (Smith 75), Kenneh, Loturi, Harmon (G.Edwards 46), Dhanda (O.Edwards 46), White, Murray (Samuel 80)
Subs Not Used: Munro, Cancola, Sims, Stones
Referee: Graham Grainger
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Colin Drummond
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken
VAR: Gavin Duncan
Assistant VAR: Frank Connor
Attendance: 5,634
