CAM BUSTER
Buddies boss hails Smith’s first-half stunner as best of the season as Saints go 11 clear at top
JACK ROSS hailed the St Mirren opener as goal of the season after Lewis Morgan set up Cammy Smith to fire the Buddies on the way to victory.
Loan star Morgan showed the skills that made Brendan Rodgers get out his chequebook and the Paisley men showed the mettle that could make them champions.
With the TV cameras in town, Morgan’s performance in this pivotal win will have given Hoops fans a tantalising glimpse of their latest young Scottish talent.
The 21-year-old, back with the Buddies for the rest of the season after a £300,000 switch to Parkhead, lit up the first period with a moment of genius, teeing up Cammy Smith with a superb back-heel.
Nicky Clark levelled for the Pars at the start of the second half and at that point the hosts were in the ascendancy.
But the Buddies regrouped and claimed a precious three points through Jack Baird’s second goal of the season, with Stephen McGinn and Kyle Magennis superb throughout.
Ross said of the first goal: “You’ll struggle to see a better goal scored in this country this season. It isn’t a strike from 25 yards but, watching at the time, I thought, ‘that’s decent!’
“That goal is reflective of the ability in the team and of those players, middle to front in particular.
“And I’m pleased Jack’s performance was so noticeable. He has been really consistent for several months, probably the highest level of his career so far. I’m delighted he played such a big part in us winning the game. He is a terrific young man and his attitude is great.
“It’s easy to say, ‘it’s just another game’ but we knew this was arguably one of our toughest games left. It’s a huge win for us.”
Ross made one change from the side that crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen, with Adam Eckersley in for Stelios Demetriou in defence.
And Dunfermline brought in Kallum Higginbotham to replace the suspended Joe Cardle in midfield.
A swift counter-attack saw Michael Paton whip in a fine delivery for Declan McManus, who appeared to be nudged in the back by Baird as he tried to get his head on it. But referee John Beaton waved away the claims.
St Mirren made their first serious foray forward count. Morgan carved open the Pars defence with a sensational flicked pass to Smith, who slotted beyond Lee Robinson.
Gavin Reilly fizzed a drive wide and an in-swinging cross from Ryan Williamson somehow evaded McManus.
Allan Johnston’s men were dealt a further blow when a crocked Dean Shiels had to be replaced by James Craigen.
But the Fifers fought back after the interval. A Paton free-kick found the head of defender Jean-Yves M’voto and his flick-on was nodded into the net from close-range by Clark.
Robinson tipped a ferocious Magennis shot over the bar. And soon after Magennis did craft an advantage for Saints.
His free-kick found Baird at the back-post, benefitting from slack Dunfermline defending to volley into the net via a deflection off Fraser Aird.
Saints could have had more but for Robinson’s fine low save to deny Morgan after another surging run into the box.
Johnston insists it was a chance missed for the Pars. He said: “The winning goal is so poor. You can’t allow people to be free in the box, especially after working so hard to get back in the game.
“After Nicky scored it looked like we were going to win the game but you can’t afford to concede goals like that.”