Scottish Daily Mail

MORGAN AT THE DOUBLE AS SAINTS MARCH ON

- JOE GARDNER at the Paisley 2021 Stadium

ST MIRREN took another step towards the Premiershi­p with a swaggering victory over Dumbarton that leaves them 14 points clear at the top of the Championsh­ip. Jack Ross’s men are now just three wins away from the title after goals from Cammy Smith, Danny Mullen, Gavin Reilly and a double from Lewis Morgan strengthen­ed their lead over second-placed Livingston. Ross said: ‘I was a bit irritated with a couple of things in the first half but that’s because we set such high standards. ‘They’ve been outstandin­g for a long period of time now. ‘I thought some of our play in the final third was magnificen­t and, when you add another clean sheet, it keeps this terrific record going at home as well.’ Saints started brightly and took the lead after 13 minutes as Ryan Flynn blocked an attempted clearance and broke forward. He switched the ball to Cammy Smith, who laid the ball off for Morgan, who curled the ball past Scott Gallacher into the bottom corner from 25 yards. The hosts grabbed their second two minutes later as Dumbarton failed to clear a ball into the six-yard box and Cammy Smith fought off his markers to knock the ball in from close range. The hosts claimed a decisive third inside four minutes of the second half. Cammy Smith’s cross found Mullen at the near post and he fired home. On the 67th minute, Mullen was replaced by Gavin Reilly and it took the former Hearts player just three minutes to add his name to the scoresheet. He beat the offside trap but saw his shot deflected high into the air by Gallacher. The ball continued to make its way towards goal and Reilly shielded it across the line for his 22nd goal of the season. Celtic loan star Morgan scored a cracker for his second in the 85th minute. Sub Ian McShane set the ball up for the striker and he rifled it into the top corner from outside the box.

 ??  ?? Strike one: Morgan opens the scoring for rampant Saints
Strike one: Morgan opens the scoring for rampant Saints

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