ST MIRREN 1 Walsh (41) QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 3 Lyle (12, 43) Dobbie (55)

QUEENS’ fantastic start to the season was extended in the Paisley sunshine as the home side crashed to the foot of the table.

The Dumfries men took the lead when Dale Hilson robbed Tom Walsh and fed Stephen Dobbie. The experienced front-man’s clever back-heel outfoxed the Saints defence allowing Derek Lyle to finish from 18 yards.

Lewis Morgan was the main instigator in trying to force the Paisley side back into the game with his darting left-wing play.

The Buddies found a lifeline four minutes before the break when a Morgan cross from the left was met acrobatically at the far post by Walsh to grab his second goal of the campaign.

The on-loan Rangers striker then almost instantly provided the lead when his long-range effort beat the outstretched Robinson but went inches wide.

St Mirren’s joy was short-lived though as they went behind a minute later when Grant Anderson surged down the right and his cross found an unmarked Lyle who tapped home.

Saints came out positively for the second period but fell further behind within 10 minutes when clever play inside the Saints’ penalty box from Lyle fed Dobbie with a weighted pass and the hit-man rounded Langfield with ease to finish.

Lyle, Dobbie and Hilson should have added to the score inside the last half-hour as the Buddies chased the game.

Doonhamers manager Gavin Skelton was delighted with the win. He said: “The lads are out on their feet in the dressing room as they put in a great group effort today and worked hard and showed a great mentality.

“It is my job now to let them enjoy the weekend and then we focus again for next weekend.”

St Mirren boss Alex Rae spoke of his frustration with his side. He said: “We are conceding goals at ease and we are in a really difficult place now as this has nothing to do with tactics – it’s all about players under-performing.

“It’s not just the youngsters, it’s the senior players too who are causing us problems.”