LEW FLUSHED WITH SUCCESS
Morgan’s stunning double sees off United
LEWIS MORGAN fired two screamers as the brilliant Buddies laid down a title marker to surge five points clear at the top.
The 21-year-old winger, who looks set to complete a £500,000 move to Celtic next month, made it 12 goals for the season with his second-half strikes sinking stunned Dundee United.
Morgan will be immediately loaned back to spearhead St Mirren’s promotion push to the delight of manager Jack Ross who celebrated a sixth win in seven games.
But the Tangerines were left to rue what might have been after Paul McMullan had a first-half penalty saved by Buddies keeper Craig Samson as their five-game unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt.
A clear-up effort on the pitch and in the surrounding areas of the Paisley 2021 Stadium, after yesterday morning’s snow, ensured it was game on.
Saints made three changes to the side which fought back from 2-0 down to win last weekend’s festive thriller at Queen of the South.
Top scorer Gavin Reilly was ruled out after he picked up a stomach bug so Danny Mullen was handed his first start since moving on loan from Livingston.
A defensive reshuffle saw Stelios Demetriou replace the crocked Adam Eckersley while Harry Davis returned at the expense of Gary MacKenzie who dropped to the bench.
United boss Csaba Laszlo was forced to make one change to the team which defeated Livi with skipper Willo Flood coming in for Fraser Fyvie who will miss the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Both sets of fans turned out in their droves on a freezing night with the Buddies faithful encouraged early on as their team carved out the first real chance.
An Ian McShane corner in nine minutes was half cleared by the United defence into the path of Stephen McGinn whose low shot skidded into the arms of keeper Harry Lewis.
But United quickly responded and were handed a golden opportunity to go in front when referee Don Robertson awarded a penalty after McShane fouled Mark Durnan in the box.
McMullan assumed responsibility but his fierce strike was well saved by Buddies No.1 Samson who dived to his right to deny the midfielder.
It was a big moment in the game and McMullan was to discover how costly his miss turned out to be.
United were enjoying plenty of possession and getting into good areas but gaffer Laszlo was left exasperated several times and stomped around his technical area as potential opportunities were wasted.
There was a lovely gesture on the half-hour mark as the supporters stood for a minute’s applause in memory of Buddies fan David Murphy who died recently aged just 30.
The Taysiders continued to press with pace in the final third and had two chances to break the deadlock as the interval approached.
Aussie striker Scott McDonald just couldn’t get enough purchase on a header at the back post from a cross delivered by Scott Fraser who then dragged an effort wide.
The game badly needed a goal and it arrived in 59 minutes.
A quickly taken free-kick saw Morgan push forward and unleash a powerful shot from distance which flew into the bottom corner.
The United travelling support would have felt a sense of deja vu having been on the receiving end of a Morgan double when their side lost 3-0 at Greenhill Road back in August.
Laszlo brought on Matthew Smith for the injured Flood then, in 71 minutes, replaced spot-kick fall guy McMullan with James Keatings.
The Hungarian boss didn’t have his troubles to seek as five minutes later he had to make his final switch with Scott Allardice coming on for limping Fraser.
And things went from bad to worse for United in 78 minutes as the Buddies doubled their lead.
Durnan fouled Cameron Smith on the right-hand side and from the resulting free-kick, the ball was played to Morgan who produced another fantastic long-range finish.
Smith could have added a third with a minute remaining but his low shot was saved by Lewis as the Buddies finished strongly.