St Mirren's hopes of survival were boosted with a win over title chasing Dundee United in the Ladbrokes Championship.
Goals from Harry Davis, Stevie Mallan and Lewis Morgan helped the Buddies close the gap on Ayr United at the bottom of the league to just one point and send home the Paisley faithful delighted.
Saints got off to a dream start when Harry Davis put the home side ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. Stevie Mallan threw in an early free kick that was knocked on by Rory Loy to John Sutton who headed into the path of the English defender. Davis flicked it beyond Cammy Bell at the near post to give Saints a lead with just 100 seconds gone.
The visitors looked to get themselves back into the matches but Saints were doing well in the opening exchanges. Warning signs were there Smith robbed of the ball by Telfer who burst forward and sprayed it out wide to Nicholls. But the on-loan winger's attempted return pass to Telfer was well cut out.
Saints failed to clear from a United corner and the ball eventually found its way back to Tony Andreu who stroked home. It was a bitter blow for the Buddies who had been comfortable throughout.
United were clearly buoyed by the goal and started looking dangerous when they came forward. Gary MacKenzie had to be strong as he headed away a free kick from Charlie Telfer.
But it was the Buddies who would go 2-1 in front when Stevie Mallan scored. The midfielder - making his 100th start for the Saints - stepped up to take a free kick after Rory Loy was tripped by Willo Flood.
And the 20 year-old made sure he marked the milestone appearance in style as he caught Bell unaware, with the goalkeeper expecting a cross, firing it low into the back of the net to put St Mirren ahead for a second time.
There was concern just before half time when goalscorer Davis had to be stretchered off with a suspected knee injury.
With the match heading to the break with Saints ahead, the Buddies were unlucky not to add a third when Sutton headed just by the post from a corner kick.
Half Time: St Mirren 2-1 Dundee United
The visitors started the half in bright fashion and will feel they should have been ahead on 48 minutes after a foul by Gary Irvine gave them a free kick on the left hand side. It was a dangerous looking ball that Billy O'Brien could only tip away before Flood swung it on to the head of Andreu whose header cracked the post.
United went close again a few minutes later after a quick break and good passage of play saw the ball find it's way to Telfer on the edge of the box. The midfielder lashed it inches over the bar.
And how the Arabs would rue those missed opportunities on the hour mark when Lewis Morgan gave Saints a cushion. Smith did well to race down the right channel before expertly picking out Loy who looked odds on to score. However, his effort was blocked inside the six yard box but fell kindly to Morgan who - like teammate Mallan had been called up for the Scotland U21 squad this afternoon - was on hand at the back post to smash it into the net.
But United weren't out of it as they pulled a goal back 10 minutes later. It was Andreu as the double as the Frenchman did well to twist and turn before curling home from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit for one.
They were creating the most and having the bulk of possession making the final stages tense for St Mirren.
Then Morgan had a glorious opportunity to put the seal on the victory after being laid off by substitute Kyle Magennis in space but fired the shot over. It wasn't to matter though as Saints held on for what could prove to be a huge three points come the end of the season.
Full Time: St Mirren 3-2 Dundee United
St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Davis (Baird 41), MacKenzie, Eckersley, Smith (Storie 81), Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Loy (Magennis 68), Sutton
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Fjelde, Todd
Dundee United: Bell, Dillon, Durnan, Edjenguele, Robson, Flood, Fraser (Mikklesen 31), Telfer, Murray (van der Velden 78), Nicholls (Coote 63), Andreu
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Donaldson, Dixon, Murdoch
Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee: Mark McLean
Assistant Referee: David McKniff
Attendance: 2,766
