st mirren 2 Mullen (10), Morgan (72) morton 1 Doyle (30)
A title celebration day for Saints was made even sweeter with a derby win over old foes Morton which, in turn, killed off their play-offs hopes.
Delighted manager Jack Ross said: “It was good to end with a win and not just because it was against our local rivals, but because Morton were the only team we had not yet beaten this season.
“So, as champions, it is good to have recorded victories against every team. It is important for the players to enjoy the celebrations as it is not something that every player can get the opportunity to do and it will live in the players’ minds.”
After a bright start by Morton, which included a Michael Tidser low drive that flashed just wide of the post, it was Saints that stormed into a 10th minute lead.
A superbly weighted through ball from Lewis Morgan was placed into the path of Danny Mullen and the striker composed himself to clip a shot past Conor Brennan into the far corner, to the delight of the sun-bathed Paisley faithful.
Gary Harkins found himself in space on 19 minutes and released Gary Oliver on the edge of the penalty area. The hitman unleashed an effort that had Craig Samson well beaten in the Saints’ goal, although the crossbar came to Saints rescue and when Oliver looked to collect the rebound, Demetriou intervened to clear.
The game began to flow from end to end and Mullen came close to doubling the advantage when his curling effort flew inches wide of the far post from another Morgan pass.
Harkins was proving to be the danger man for the visitors and he came close to levelling on the half-hour with two closerange efforts. Samson having to dive at his feet to smother the ball at the second attempt after an
initial save.
A minute later, Morton were back in the game when Michael Doyle headed home a close-range effort for his first goal for the club
following a Frank Ross delivery from the left.
The second period came to life when Morgan embarked on a mazy run down the left, although his shot was wide of the mark.
Saints introduced top scorer Gavin Reilly midway through the half and it paid dividends within three minutes when his pass found Cammy Smith.
He ran through the Morton defence and released Morgan who found the far corner with a delightful strike in his last home game for the club.
Saints were ready for their title-winning party to begin, although sloppy play in the final minute almost allowed Oliver to steal an equaliser, but luckily for the Buddies, he rushed his shot to fire high and wide.