Saints stop the rot with capital show
First-half performance is good enough to grab win
Star Saint: John McGinn The livewire midfielder made a welcome return to action, playing his part in the first two Saints goals. His defensive workrate was just as impressive as his creative play going forward.
Nominations so far: 3 – Kenny McLean, Steven Thompson, John McGinn. 2 – Gary Teale. 1 – Jim Goodwin, Paul McGowan, Chris Dilo, Lee Mair, Jason Naismith, Gary Harkins, Marc McAusland, Marian Kello, Darren McGregor.
Match Facts
Score Hibernian 2 St Mirren 3
Scorers Williams (3og), Campbell (24), Thompson (26), Collins (62, 88)
Bookings Goodwin (61), McAusland (70), Robertson (86) Red Carded No-one
Referee Willie Collum
Attendance 9,610
Teams Hibernian (4-4-2) – Williams, McGivern (Harris 10), Nelson, Robertson, Craig, Cairney (Stanton 46), Collins, Stevenson, Maybury, Forster, Cummings (Zoubir 77). Subs not used – Murdoch, Tudur-Jones, Heffernan
St Mirren (4-1-3-2) – Kello, Naismith, McAusland, Newton, Kelly, Campbell (Grainger 90+3), McGregor, McGinn. Thompson, McGowan (van Zanten 82), Goodwin (Wylde 64).Subs not used – Dilo, Reilly, Brady almost made it four as he saw his angled shot scrape the crossbar.
In the second half, Saints looked content to try to hold the Hibees at arm’s length. Terry Butcher’s side did force a few corners but Kello and his back four of Jason Naismith, Marc McAusland, Darren McGregor and Kelly did a job to repel them.
Skipper Goodwin picked up his usual weekly caution, this time for a foul on Sam Stanton after 61 minutes, before Kello punched away a goalbound effort from Harris inside the box.
Collins pulled it back to 3- 1 with an effort on target as Saints slept momentarily at the back.
New boy Wylde made his Saints’ first appearance as he came on after 64 minutes to replace Goodwin
Hibs definitely had more of the ball at this stage and made better use of it. With two minutes remaining, Collins reduced the deficit to 3-2 and, all of a sudden, the home side sensed a late comeback.
Into time added-on, the home fans were screaming for a penalty when Campbell looked to have handled in the box but ref Willie Collum saw nothing untoward.