THE CHAMpioNSHip

SAINTS made it three wins in a row, thanks to goals from John Sutton and Lewis Morgan, to move to within five points of relegation rivals Ayr with a game in hand.

The Buddies have hit form at exactly the right time. Delighted manager Jack Ross admitted: “We spoke beforehand about the enormity of the game for us.

“We are still in a difficult position but we now have the momentum of three wins in a row. Confidence and belief is growing.”

Saints were roared on by more than 1200 fans and Kyle Magennis gave an early indicator of their attacking intentions with a third-minute shot that was blocked.

That set the pattern for the first half – St Mirren carrying all the attacking threat with Cammy Smith, Stephen McGinn and Stephen Mallan at the heart of their best moves.

Adam Eckersley arced an inviting ball that flew across the face of goal just begging for the final touch.

Sutton hit a shot on the turn just over before Mallan forced a super save from Greg Fleming with a 25-yarder that looked bound for the top corner.

Ayr grew into the game but Saints grabbed the opener three minutes into the second period.

Sutton ran on to Mallan’s pass and, although he was forced wide by Fleming, kept his cool to slide the ball home from an acute angle.

Smith smacked a shot off the post and Magennis had an effort tipped away by Fleming as Saints chased a killer second.

Paul Cairney scrambled the ball off the line as the Paisley side swarmed around Fleming’s goal.

Ayr rallied strongly and pushed for a leveller.

But they left gaps at the back and, with seven minutes left, Saints broke away and Morgan sealed their win with a precision shot into the bottom corner.

Ayr boss Ian McCall admitted: “We were awful and St Mirren deserved to win.

“We now have a huge game against Raith on Tuesday.”