Flashback Saints ace hit the mark
The push for promotion is well and truly on as the season enters its closing stages.
And although we all had our feet up at the weekend with St Mirren allowed a week off, now is the time to get back to business.
The games don’t come much harder than Livingston away, with David Hopkin’s side looking to at least cement themselves a spot in the promotion play-offs.
Livingston weren’t in the league the last time St Mirren managed to get themselves out of the Championship, but they were back in the year 2000 when Saints headed to Almondvale knowing they required a win to keep Dunfermline at bay at the top of the league.
Awaiting them, with just three games remaining, was an expensively put together side managed by Jim Leishman.
Livi would go on to win the Saved the day
St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition — and a history to match.
They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.
Today, we look back at the game that would boost Saints’ promotion dreams – thanks to striker Mark Yardley.
league the following season before qualifying for Europe the next year although, to be fair, the big bucks spending hadn’t really hit full swing in West Lothian.
Tom Hendrie’s side knew it wouldn’t be an easy task – especially with the pressure on.
A defeat could make it or break it for the side in their quest for promotion in a year where two sides would go up thanks to the expansion of the SPL.
But it looked like it would be a case of ‘what nerves?’ as Steven McGarry’s strike saw Saints race into the lead after 23 minutes.
However, tensions started to rise when David Bingham popped up with an equaliser and less than half an hour remaining on the clock.
A win over Ayr United the following weekend would ensure promotion was guaranteed – but that wouldn’t have been the case if it weren’t for the club’s top goalscorer Mark Yardley coming up with the good yet again.
His record of 19 that season had gone unsurpassed until Gavin Reilly’s tally earlier this year, but the striker was central to the success of the side that campaign.
His goal that day at Livingston all but secured promotion back to the top flight.
And Reilly’s goals look like they might do the same.
St Mirren: Roy, Nicolson, Ross, Turner, McLaughlin, Walker, Murray, Rudden, McGarry, McKnight, Yardley.
Subs: Mendes, Lavety and Gillies.