St Mirren put in a dominant display at the SMISA Stadium defeating St Johnstone 2-0 to collect three valuable points.
Dimitar Mitov was credited with an own goal midway through the first period to put the hosts in front, before Mikael Mandron sealed the win with 25 minutes remaining in Paisley.
Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the starting eleven which started last week’s Premiership defeat at Livingston. James Bolton returned from suspension in place of Charles Dunne, who dropped to the bench, and Lewis Jamieson came in for James Scott in attack.
Following their home loss to Rangers last Sunday, the visitors made three alterations to their line-up. Kerr Smith replaced Ryan McGowan, while David Keltjens and Connor Smith dropped out in favour of Tony Gallacher and Nicky Clark.
St Mirren produced the first effort of the game on six minutes, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce seeing a strike from the edge of the box easily saved by Mitov in the St Johnstone goal. It was Boyd-Munce once again who threatened next, cutting out a loose ball from Liam Gordon before trying his luck from 20 yards. Gordon recovered to make the block and the visitors managed to clear the danger.
St Johnstone finally sparked into life on 13 minutes, as striker Adama Sidibeh flashed a dangerous cross across the home box from the right flank. Fortunately for Saints, there were no takers and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.
The Perth side began to find their feet in the game, forcing a series of set-pieces, but the St Mirren defence held firm to nullify any threats.
The Buddies had a set-piece opportunity of their own on the half-hour mark, as Jamieson showed quick feet to earn a free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ area. Boyd-Munce stepped up and curled a left-footed strike towards goal but Mitov was able to gather with ease.
Mandron became increasingly influential as the half wore on, and it was the striker who played a key role in breaking the deadlock. Finding himself with acres of room in the St Johnstone half, the Frenchman drove forward unchallenged before releasing a speculative strike from 20 yards. The ball took a nick off Gordon, struck the post and bounced into the net off the back of the despairing Mitov, much to the delight of the 5000+ home fans in the stadium.
The hosts came close to doubling their advantage moments later, but Mandron couldn’t keep his header down following a delightful cross from Greg Kiltie.
Tony Gallacher registered the visitors’ first effort on goal just after the break, but his strike from distance sailed high and wide of Hemming’s goal.
Mitov then produced two instinctive saves in quick succession to keep his side in the contest, first denying Mandron before keeping out Jamieson’s follow-up attempt. The impressive Hyeokkyu Kwon had a shot deflected over the bar on the hour-mark, before Kiltie sent a strike wide of the target from the resulting corner.
The hosts got the crucial second goal on 64 minutes as their pressure eventually paid off. Mandron’s performance was finally rewarded as he found himself with the freedom of Paisley to volley home first-time from the penalty spot after the away defence failed to clear a Scott Tanser shot from range.
Mikael Mandron celebrates Saints' second goal (Image: Allan Picken)
Kwon thought he’d capped what was an excellent display by netting his first goal for the Saints midway through the second period, but his solo effort was ruled out, the referee adjudging the South Korean to have fouled Matt Smith in the build-up following a VAR check.
Hemming was called into action in the closing stages, pulling off a firm save to deny Adama Sidibeh. Matt Smith had time to pick his spot as the ball ran loose, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide.
With seconds remaining, Hemming was alert to swat away a close-range header, but it was the Saints who claimed a clean sheet to remain two points behind fourth-placed Kilmarnock in the cinch Premiership table.
Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 St Johnstone
By Kevin McKenna
St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Fraser (c), Bwomono, Kwon (Baccus 75), Boyd-Munce, Tanser, Jamieson (Olusanya 75), Mandron (Ayunga 83), Kiltie
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Taylor, Brown, Flynn, Scott
St Johnstone: Mitov, K.Smith (Kucheryavyi 75), Gordon, Considine, Gallacher, M.Smith, Phillips, Carey (Jaiyesimi 63), Robinson, Sidibeh
Subs Not Used: Richards, Olufunwa, Keltjens, C.Smith, Sprangler, May, Kimpioka
Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Fourth Official: Colin Whyte
VAR: Andrew Dallas
Attendance: 5,991
