Goals fly in but Saints crash out
performance in the first half was a joy to behold at times, with Lewis Morgan and Stephen McGinn dictating the pace and play of the opening half an hour.
And all their play and possession was rewarded again in 31 minutes as another fine passage of play resulted in the Buddies extending their lead.
A lofted ball into the box from McGinn found the head of the reinstated Sutton, who used all his experience and vision to head into the path of Reilly to fire into the roof of the net from close range.
Smith really should have made it 3-0 shortly before the break but couldn’t hit the target despite being unmarked 10 yards from goal, firing into the stand with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors came out in the second half looking to get themselves back into the tie and looked to be handed a route back into the game with a penalty five minutes into the half.
Referee Craig Napier pointed to the spot after MacKenzie appeared to haul down Dean Cairns at an Airdrie corner.
MacKenzie was booked for his complaining in the aftermath, and the delay appeared to unsettle Ryan, with the striker blazing wide from 12 yards much to the relief of the home support.
And from there the hosts looked to settle back into the performance that they showed in the first half, with Lewis Morgan forcing a save out of Rohan Ferguson from a quick free-kick.
Dean Cairns gave away a penalty in 66 minutes but Reilly’s attempt was saved, although the sinning Saint would make up for his miss three minutes later by hitting his side’s third of the afternoon, heading home a Morgan cross.
A late flurry of chances saw Airdrie pile on the pressure, but it was left to Morgan to have the final say, smashing home a stunning volley.
But there was still time for Smith to smash home a fifth off the post to complete a successful afternoon for the side.
Match Facts
Score St Mirren 5 Airdrie 0 Bookings MacKenzie, Louden Red Carded No-one Referee Craig Napier Attendance 1,557 Teams St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Stelios, Baird, MacKenzie (Buchanan 68), McGinn, McShane, Smith, Morgan, Sutton (Stewart 66), Reilly (Kirkpatrick 75). Subs not used Stewart (Gk), Whyte, Horne and Morrison. Airdrie: Ferguson, Stewart, McDonald, McIntosh, Brownlie, Cairns, Conroy, Brown (Thomson 77), Higgins, Russell (Loudon 45), Ryan. Subs not used: Kerr, McLaughlin and Leighton.