Crushing blow for St Mirren

ST MIRREN were dealt what could be a critical blow to their hopes of avoiding relegation as they were crushed 5-0 by rampant Motherwell at Fir Park.

In a huge match for both clubs at the bottom of the table, the visitors were blown away in the first half with two goals from Lee Erwin and a third on the stroke of half-time from Scott McDonald.

A brace from substitute John Sutton after the break rounded off an emphatic winfortheSteelmen, moving them 10 points clear of St Mirren at the foot of the Premiership after their third win in four games.

The home side took the lead after just six minutes through weekend hero Erwin. Lionel Ainsworth picked up a partiallycleared high ball and drove to the byline before cutting the ball back to Erwin who, with his back to goal, took a touch before spinning and firing low past Mark Ridgers.

Gary Teale made a double substitution at the break to try to turn the tide ofthematch, StevieThompson and Gregg Wylde replacing the ineffective James Dayton and Sadlier, but it made little discernible difference as Motherwell continued to dominate.

There was a slight dampener put on the occasion for Motherwell as the influential Pearson hobbled off.

Manager Ian Baraclough will be hoping that one of his key men recovers for the run-in to the end of the campaign.