SUPER SAINTS BACK ON TOP
But Hopkin rages at ‘embarrassing’ Ross ST MIRREN LIVINGSTON 3 1
ST MIRREN leapfrogged Dundee United at the top of the Championship last night after a superb second-half comeback against title rivals Livingston.
The Paisley side were trailing to Dale Carrick’s effort at the interval before goals from Lewis Morgan, Adam Eckersley and a penalty from Ian McShane secured three precious points.
And there was drama after the Buddies’ second goal as home manager Jack Ross celebrated in front of rival boss David Hopkin, causing a furious confrontation between the two benches.
Victory leaves St Mirren two points clear of United in second and four clear of Livingston, who remain third.
However, Hopkin was left furious by Ross’ behaviour after Eckersley struck.
‘I’m not a manager to go and have my hand over my mouth telling another manager to shush. That’s embarrassing,’ he said.
‘I’d expect better from Jack and it was a wee bit schoolboy for me, but it’s done now.
‘I was irate at the time because there was no need for it. It’s a professional game and that was schoolboy from Jack. I expected better.’
Livingston took the lead on the half-hour mark.
An ambitious strike from the edge of the area by Josh Mullin was parried by Craig Samson only for Carrick to step in and score.
With Ross animated in his technical area and bellowing instructions to his players, they almost levelled through left-back Eckersley. His cross wide from the left hit the post, before Livvy goalkeeper Neil Alexander eventually bundled the ball to safety.
A more definite response was required from the Buddies if they weren’t to blow their chance of overtaking United.
It duly arrived six minutes after the restart as Morgan was afforded the luxury of cutting inside from the right flank. He moved the ball on to his left foot and his low strike found the far corner of the net for the equaliser.
Morgan was proving the difference between the sides and he turned provider after the hour when his cutback to Eckersley was converted.
There was ill feeling in the technical areas after those celebrations from Ross and Livvy boss Hopkin suffered more anguish when his side conceded a penalty for a foul on Jack Baird.
Midfielder McShane stepped up and sent Alexander the wrong way with a calm spotkick 12 minutes from time.
Admitting he over-reacted after his side went 2-1 ahead, Ross said: ‘I think my celebrations were a wee bit over the top for the second goal and I hold my hands up to that.
‘Sometimes, you get caught up in the emotion of it and I’ve had other teams I’ve taken issue with, but I hold my hands up.
‘It’s difficult at times to maintain that composure.’