IT’S A WINTER WONDERLAND
Morgan’s double keeps Saints top of the table
punching the air in celebration moments later when he produced an excellent diving save to parry away former Buddie Paul McMullan’s penalty kick to keep the scores level.
The missed penalty appeared to be the catalyst for the tackles to start flying in, with United’s Scott McDonald winding up in Robertson’s book not long after for a late challenge on Baird. McMullan then came worst off in a 50/ 50 with Kyle Magennis, but the ref deemed the tackle fair as play raged on towards the 25-minute mark.
The 30th minute saw both sets of supporters pay their respects to Saints fan David Murphy, who passed away last week.
Saints and United fans rose to their feet for a minute’s applause with the scoreboard also displaying a picture of David in his St Mirren strip.
With the Paisley pitch having taken a beating from the snow overnight, it should have been expected that conditions would be testing.
Both sides were clearly struggling to take a stranglehold on proceedings, with the bumpy surface putting paid to many a final ball.
But United had the better of the closing stages of the first half as Billy King’s snap shot, after driving clear of Liam Smith on the left flank, saw Baird forced to head behind for another corner.
McDonald then really should have done better with a Fraser cross to the far post, but the Aussie couldn’t get enough on it as the chance came to nothing.
And Fraser had a strike of his own moments later which tamely rolled wide of target.
St Mirren came out in the second half looking to put their stamp on the tie, but again they found themselves let down when it came to the crunch.
A trademark rampaging run down the left from Stelios saw the Cypriot full-back cut back for Mullen. His blocked effort fell to McShane on the edge of the box but the midfielder could only scuff wide of goal.
But as has so often been the case for St Mirren this season, it would be a moment of brilliance from Morgan that would prove to be the difference as he opened the scoring in 59 minutes.
The winger, playing what could prove to be his last game as a permanent Saints player, picked up a short free-kick from McShane before driving for goal.
The Celtic target took matters into his own hands, cutting across the edge of the box before curling home a right-footed effort into the bottom right corner beyond a sprawling Lewis in goal to spark elation in the stands.
Sprinting over to the home support, his delight was clear to see as he skidded across the turf on his knees.
United seemed to struggle in the immediate aftermath of the goal, with each pass forward continuously missing its intended target and rolling out of play for a Saints throw-in.
So often a thorn in St Mirren’s side over the years, the visitors then had to do without midfield general Willo Flood as the Irishman was forced off with an injury.
Csaba Laszlo also brought on James Keatings for Paul McMullan in a bid to beef up his side’s attacking ranks as they went in search of an equaliser.
But the visitors’ quest for three points was all but ended 12 minutes from time when Morgan again supplied the magic.
Picking up another short free- kick from McShane, Morgan appeared to have overrun the ball as he cut across the box.
McGinn, however, played the ball back through to Saints’ main man and he didn’t need a third chance as he simply hammered low into the bottom corner to seal the points and move the Buddies five points clear at the top of the table heading into 2018.