CHAMpionSHip
MORTON 4 Tidser (pen 26, pen 50), McHugh (72), Murdoch (77) ST MIRREN 1 Smith (41)
MORTON boss Jim Duffy was delighted to take such a convincing victory over their 10-man derby rivals following an all-action Cappielow clash.
He said: “You don’t anticipate winning games like these in that manner, so we’re absolutely delighted.
“When they went to 10 men it was probably the poorest we played all day, but we regrouped and capitalised on the space and deserved to win.”
The match warmed up midway through the first half when the Ton were awarded a penalty – Jai Quitongo burst down the right flank and cut into the box before he was brought down by Jack Baird.
Michael Tidser stepped up after a lengthy delay and dispatched the penalty.
In the 38th minute the home side should have doubled their advantage when Quitongo crossed for Bob McHugh but his shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Samson.
And the Ton were punished for their missed chances when Saints drew level four minutes before the break, Cammy Smith striding towards the box before thundering a shot into the top corner.
The visitors were dealt a mortal blow four minutes into the second half when they were reduced to 10 men, giving away another spot-kick in the process.
McHugh latched on to a loose ball and drove into the Saints box before Baird again was the culprit, bringing his man down to concede the penalty before being shown a straight-red card.
Tidser again took the spot-kick and restored his side’s lead.
The home side increased that lead in the 72nd minute when Quitongo again found space on the right and cut the ball back to McHugh who curled the ball home.
Five minutes later the score-line was becoming humiliating for the Buddies as McHugh fed the ball to Andy Murdoch who slid his effort into the corner of the net.
Dejected Saints boss Jack Ross said: “The accountability will always fall upon me as a manager, but players don’t take the responsibility themselves often enough. As a back four, they needed to do better, to defend better.
“We’ve known the feeling of winning games a lot over the last six months, but they also have to remember how this feels.”