Saints stun Lennon to reach last eight

NEWS of St Mirren’s victory over Hibernian would have made Jack Ross’ 300-mile trek back from Wales more satisfying last night. The Buddies came from behind to reach the quarter-finals after goals from Stevie Mallan and David Clarkson voided Alex Harris’ opener.

Ross presided over Alloa’s 4-2 win at Welsh outfit Bala as he served his notice period for the Wasps and will officially take the reins in Paisley tomorrow.

But with Allan McManus in interim control for the last time, Saints did not need their new boss in Edinburgh as they collected their first win in five matches.

While St Mirren were keen to impress newly appointed assistant manager James Fowler, who watched on from the stands, the same old problems haunted the home side.

They were the dominant team before Clarkson notched the decisive strike and even after going behind, Jordon Forster and Marvin Bartley were guilty of wasting good chances to level.

Buddies head of youth development McManus, however, was thrilled with the result.

“The boys stuck to the game plan, we tried to pass the ball about and frustrate Hibs,” said McManus.

“The boys’ heads didn’t go down after going behind and they worked their way back into the game, and Stevie scored a special goal.

“The best thing was for the boys to get a result then it gives the team and the club the confidence to move forward when the manager comes in on Monday, everyone will have a spring in their step.”

There was an abundance of spare seats inside Easter Road for a cup clash that failed to capture that imagination of the Hibs supporters. That lack of interest was matched by a supine performance from the hosts during much of the first half.

St Mirren evinced a confidence during the early exchanges that belied their status as the Championship’s bottom club but, like their opponents, struggled for penetration.

All that changed as the teams traded goals at the end of the half. Harris put the home side ahead in the 37th minute, cutting inside the prostrate Kyle Hutton after the St Mirren midfielder slipped before drilling a shot past Jamie Langfield at the near post from 12 yards.

St Mirren levelled in controversial circumstances, although there was no doubting the brilliance of Mallan as he swept a 25-yard free kick into the top bag.

Hibs were aggrieved at the award of the foul in the first place after Dylan McGeouch was penalised for obstruction, even though Rocco Quinn appeared to lose control of the ball.

Clarkson climbed off the bench to net the decisive goal with eight minutes left.

The ball broke to the forward in the box and his deflected shot rolled into the corner of the net.

Assistant referee Brian Templeton had raised his flag for offside but lowered it after realising Lawrence Shankland made no contact when the ball crossed the line.

“We’re losing to St Mirren at home and that shouldn’t be happening,” lamented Lennon.

“I think some of them are hiding at the minute. It’s definitely a psychological thing, it’s not a physical thing.”