TerrificTaysidetriumphhasSaintsonbrink ofendinglongwaitforcontinentalaction
St Mirren’s march on Europe gathered fresh momentum in the City of Discovery as the Buddies edged closer to ending their 37-year wait to be involved in continental competition.
Goals from Alex Gogic, Scott Tanser and Toyosi Olusanya sank Dundee to leave Saints on the brink of having their passports stamped this summer.
The Paisley side will secure fifth spot in the Premiership — and the Europa Conference League qualifyng place that goes with it — if victory at home to Kilmarnock next weekend is coupled with Dundee failing to beat Hearts at Tynecastle.
And that would set the seal on a quite remarkable season for Saints who had already notched up back-toback top-six finishes.
Boss Stephen Robinson — who was taking charge of the Buddies for the 100th time — made one change to the side which performed well in the 2-1 defeat to Rangers with Olusanya replacing Greg Kiltie.
However, a knee problem ruled out Elvis Bwomono while on-loan Celtic midfielder Hyeokkyu Kwon and forward Jonah Ayunga are crocked for the rest of the campaign.
Dundee had lost 2-1 to Celtic in their last outing and Tony Docherty, nominated for PFA Scotland manager of the year, made two changes to that line-up.
Josh Mulligan and Malachi Boateng dropped to the bench with Aaron Donnelly and the highly-rated Lyall Cameron coming in.
There was a terrific atmosphere inside Dens Park on a dank Dundee day and a pyrotechnic welcome for the Buddies from a section of the 1,800-strong black-and-white army as they emerged from the tunnel before kick-off.
Saints — shooting towards their own support in the Bob Shankly Stand in the first half which brought back horrible memories of Kilmarnock away — were full of intent and forced a series of early set-piece opportunities.
It was from a corner in the 26th minute that Conor McMenamin’s delivery was nodded down for Gogic whose subsequent header dropped just over the bar.
Not much was being created but Dundee had a chance to move the dial in the 36th minute when they broke up the middle.
Amadou Bakayoko laid off nicely into the path of Luke McCowan whose low shot was well blocked by Saints stopper Zach Hemming.
But the deadlock was to be broken at the other end three minutes later.
Caolan Boyd-Munce’s free-kick was partially cleared but picked up by Ryan Strain. He sent another ball into the box which eventually fell for Gogic who sneaked his fourth goal of the season in at the near post from close range.
The travelling support erupted and, given how tight the contest had been to this point, the goal felt like a major moment in the race for Europe.
Dark Blues chief Docherty will have been hoping for an improved showing after the break but was indebted to keeper Jon McCracken for turning away a Strain freekick in the 58th minute.
However, the stay of execution for Dundee proved to be short as Saints made it 2-0 moments later from an unlikely source.
A clearance was headed back towards goal by Gogic with James Bolton then nodding into the path of Scott Tanser, who kept his composure to find the bottom corner of the net.
The Buddies lead could have been increased still further two minutes later when Olusanya found himself through on goal but McCracken was off his line to smother the danger.
The Londoner wouldn’t have long to wait before plundering his seventh goal of the season to seal the points in the 72nd minute.
The hosts stood passive as Mikael Mandron advanced and played in Olusanya whose fierce shot went through the legs of McCracken and into the net.
Substitute Michael Mellon pulled one back for Dundee four minutes later when he turned home after Donnelly nodded an Owen Dodgson free-kick across goal.
Dundee threatened to set up a grandstand finish with a late attacking flourish which included a McCowan effort being turned wide by Hemming.
But it was too little and far too late from the Dark Blues as Robbo’s men saw out the final minutes to ensure special post-match scenes with the Buddies fans.
HOW THEY LINED UP...
DUNDEE (3-5-2)
McCracken; Portales, Lamie (Costelloe 77), Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron (Mulligan 82), Sylla (Boateng 46), McCowan, Dodgson; Tiffoney (Mellon 66), Bakayoko (Main 66). Subs (not used): Sharp(gk), Astley, Robinson, Robertson. ST MIRREN (3-4-3)
Hemming; Bolton, Gogic, Fraser; Strain (Dunne 87), Boyd-Munce, O’Hara, Tanser; McMenamin (Baccus 60), Olusanya (Scott 77), Mandron. Subs (not used): Urminsky(gk), Taylor, Flynn, Kiltie, Brown, Jamieson.
BOOKINGS
Tanser was booked for Saints with Donnelly and Cameron cautioned for Dundee.
FOR THE RECORD
An excellent Saints display right from the first whistle got what it deserved with three precious points.
This was a huge game and the Buddies embraced it by playing on the front foot and causing all sorts of problems with deliveries into the box.
Saints took their chances and, ultimately, advantage of a listless Dundee showing.
STAR SAINT
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