Flashback Andy would come in extremely handy
This weekend St Mirren face a difficult trip to Ayrshire to face Angelo Alessio’s Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Almost a decade ago in 2010, the two faced off in what was nervewrackingingly described as the relegation derby.
Both teams were flirting with bottom spot along with Falkirk, and on May 1 the two lined up, with each side knowing a win would all but seal their top flight status.
St Mirren had lost the services of Billy Mehmet before kick-off after the striker picked up an injury in training, so Michael Higdon started up front.
Kilmarnock were able to recall Kevin Kyle after suspension, as well as Frazer Wright and Scott Severin following injury.
The visitors created the first chance, with midfielder Pascali rising above everyone else to meet a
All to play for
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 a crucial relegation clash with Kilmarnock.
corner from the right only to bullet his header inches past the post.
The Buddies threatened at the other end when attempts to clear a David Barron ball into the box broke to Stephen O’Donnell and the midfielder rifled into the side netting.
St Mirren suffered a blow after 22 minutes when Hugh Murray was strapped to a stretcher after suffering a head injury following a challenge with Kyle.
The Killie striker had a chance to open the scoring when he collected a short pass from Mark Burchill only to send his weak effort trundling wide from eight yards.
Burchill himself passed up a decent opportunity moments later when he directed a header just over from close range as the Ayrshire side pressed for the opener before the break.
However, it was the home side, with Garry Brady having replaced Murray in midfield, who threatened after a spell of scrappy midfield exchanges.
Higdon sent one header a few feet wide and another straight at goalkeeper Cammy Bell within the space of a couple of minutes.
Bell also did well to hold a longrange effort from Brady before midfield colleague Dorman missed the best chance of the first half.
The Welshman’s outstretched toe somehow directed the ball over the crossbar from just two yards after the Kilmarnock defence allowed a long throw to breach their penalty area.
Deep into eight minutes of injury time, Kilmarnock midfielder Severin sent a ferocious volley off the inside of the far post after playing a one-two with Jamie Hamill.
The home side could have broken the deadlock after half-time when Graham Carey’s cross picked out Dorman and he flicked across the face of goal and wide of target.
The match was proving impossible to call and Killie were threatening when Liam Kelly squared for Maguire, who stabbed wide from a couple of yards under pressure from Steven Robb.
St Mirren dramatically broke the deadlock after 73 minutes when Carey’s cross was headed on by Higdon and Dorman stabbed the ball home from close range, sparking wild celebrations in the home stands.
Kilmarnock pressed desperately for an equaliser and Kyle, who squandered a chance when he pulled out of a shot after believing that Maguire’s cutback had gone out of play, headed straight at Paul Gallacher.
The goalkeeper denied Maguire with a near-post save before blocking a Kyle header on the line superbly to secure the win.
In the end both St Mirren and Kilmarnock stayed up that season, with Falkirk being relegated to the First Division.