SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
Reports and analysis from last night’s big matches
Jim Goodwin lavished praise on his St Mirren players for bouncing back strongly from their Betfred Cup semi-final disappointment to thrash Dundee United 5-1.
St Mirren had lost 1-0 to Livingston at Hampden but ran riot at Tannadice.
The Buddies established a three-goal lead in the first half thanks to a Joe Shaughnessy header and two Jamie Mcgrath penalties.
United gave themselves some hope with Ian Harkes' long-range effort but the Paisley men scored another two late on through substitutes Dylan Connolly and Kristian Dennis.
Goodwin said: "It would have been very easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves after Sunday. But credit to them for a great reaction.
"I think the scoreline flattered us a bit but the first goal was massive - and it was a great set-play.
"I don't think we had anything to prove after Sunday. It was a sickener, there's no getting away from it. But we refocused and got right back at it in the league. I'm just really pleased for the players and staff because Sunday was so hard to accept. We've hopefully given the fans a few goals to cheer at home, as well."
United boss Micky Mellon admitted his side had given themselves a mountain to climb and were punished for some naivety.
He said: "We are disappointed to lose five goals when we have been defensively very solid. Going in 3-0 down at half-time, you give yourself a mountain to climb and we just said to them just keep playing and try to score the next goal and see where it takes you.
"We did with a cracking goal but we gave away another two cheap goals. I keep saying how inexperienced we are at times at this level. Tonight we showed naivety that we will learn from."
St Mirren took the lead in the 30th minute when a deep free-kick was headed into a dangerous area in the United box by Conor Mccarthy, with Shaughnessy heading back across goal and past United keeper Deniz Mehmet.
The Buddies increased their advantage 12 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty by referee John Beaton for a push on Shaughnessy by Mark Reynolds in the United box. Mcgrath stepped up to calmly send Deniz the wrong way.
St Mirren then made it three on the stroke of half-time when home striker Lawrence Shankland was adjudged to have handled a shot, with Mcgrath again making no mistake with the spot-kick.
United pulled one back in the 54th minute thanks to Harkes’ stunning long-range strike. However, St Mirren put the game to bed in the 80th minute with a clinical break and finish from Connolly and five minutes later the rout was completed by a Dennis tap-in.
Dundee Utd: Mehmet, Liam Smith, Connolly, Reynolds, Jamie Robson, Powers (Fotheringham 46), Bolton (Appere 72), Clark, Harkes, Mcnulty, Shankland. Subs not used: Siegrist, Sporle, Pawlett, Edwards, Mochrie, Neilson.
St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Mccarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, Mcgrath, Flynn, Erhahon, Durmus (Mcallister 80), Obika (Connolly 71), Brophy (Dennis 56). Subs not used: Finlayson ,sheron, lyness, henderson, jamieson. Referee: J Beaton