SAINTS EDGE ROUT OF DANGER ZONE
Boss Ross hails his battlers for stunning Ton in derby scrap
LINCOLN took another step towards the National League title courtesy of a 1-0 win over Chester at Sincil Bank.
Sub Harry Anderson came off the bench on the half-hour for the injured Lee Angol and five minutes later struck the only goal of the game after getting on the end of a Sam Habergham cross.
The victory moved Danny Cowley’s Imps three points clear of Tranmere at the top, who suffered a 1-0 home loss to third-placed Forest Green.
Lincoln, who have a game in hand over both their title rivals, finished with 10 men after substitute Alan Power was sent off in 75 minutes – two minutes after coming on. Chester’s Kane Richards was also dismissed late on. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL 1ST LEG B DORTMUND ...P MONACO ............ P JUVENTUS ........... 3 BARCELONA ....... 0 LADBROKES SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP DUNDEEUTD ....... 1 DUNFERMLINE... 0 MORTON .............. 1 ST MIRREN .......... 4 SUPER St Mirren blew rivals Morton away in a Renfrewshire derby rout to move out of the relegation play-off spot.
Jack Ross’s side produced a scintillating display, climbing into eighth place with four games left.
Stelios Demetriou, Stevie Mallan, John Sutton – making his 100th start for the Paisley men – and Gary MacKenzie bagged the vital goals for Saints.
Despite former Rangers youngster Andy Murdoch levelling the scores in the first half it was the Buddies who reeled off a crucial victory.
The Great Escape is now well and truly on for a side who trailed the rest of the Championship by nine points at one stage.
Delighted gaffer Ross said: “I would have taken any manner of victory here and any performance but that was an enjoyable night.
“We’ve had to take our medicine from them this season so it was nice to put that right for the supporters. To go up another place in the table is a great reward for them.
“We’ve had to show enormous character over the last three months. We were written off and to get back to where we are is testament to this group of players. I don’t think any team will want to face us, home or away.”
Morton were looking to complete a league double over St Mirren at Cappielow for the first time since the 1997/98 season but the visitors nudged themselves in front in 20 minutes.
Michael Doyle misread Mallan’s pass and Demetriou picked the ball up just outside the box and twisted the Ton defender inside out before firing in from 16 yards.
It was the Cypriot’s third goal of the season.
Doyle though redeemed himself in 29 minutes when he raced down the right wing and his accurate low cutback was superbly swept into the net by Murdoch who sidefooted home a fine equaliser.
There was a whirlwind start to the second half as St Mirren stormed back into the lead within a minute.
Midfield talisman Mallan unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard swerving shot that flew into the bottom corner of the net for his ninth goal of the season.
It was 3-1 to the visitors in 56 minutes when Rory Loy crossed for Sutton who gleefully tapped into an empty net as he claimed his 13th of the season.
It was all over bar the shouting in 80 minutes when Mallan whipped in a free-kick and MacKenzie easily buried a header from six yards to complete Morton’s night of misery.
Ton gaffer Jim Duffy said: “We were terrible in every department. That was as poor as we have been in a long time.
“We should not need a kick up the backside for the play-offs as we are not there yet.”
Gaston 6, Lamie 6, O’Ware 6, Doyle 4, Oliver 5, Forbes 7, Lindsay 6 (Tidser 75, 3) Nesbitt 6, Shankland 6 (Donnelly 89, 1), Russell 6 Murdoch 7. Not used: McGowan, Kilday, Oyenuga, Scullion, McDonagh.
MORTON: ST MIRREN:
O’Brien 7, Irvine 7, Baird 6, MacKenzie 6, Stelios 8, Magennis 7, McGinn 7, Mallan 8 (Quinn 90, 1), Smith 7 (Todd 88, 1), Sutton 7, Loy 7 (Storie 84, 1). Not used: Langfield, Gordon, Fjelde, Whyte.
Referee:
Stephen Finnie.