ST MIRREN 3
Reilly (8, 48), Sutton (87)
HEARTS U20S 1
Currie (81)
ST MIRREN made it through to the last 16 of the Irn-Bru Cup as they were made to fight all the way by the talented youngsters from Tynecastle.
Saints fielded a ver y strong starting XI and made only three changes from last week’s league match as they stated an intention to take the competition very seriously following last season’s appearance in the final.
Gavin Reilly led the way with two well- taken goals and John Sutton came off the bench to supply the vital third seven minutes from the end – only three minutes after the Colts threatened to claw their way back into the tie when Rory Currie had cut the deficit to one goal.
The Paisley men started well with Reilly and Cammy Smith causing problems for the Colts back-line and they took the lead after Stephen McGinn fed Reilly on the edge of the penalty area and he hit home a delightful curling effort to maintain his fine goalscoring start to the season.
Angus Beith starred in midfield for Hearts and displayed the talent that has brought him into the fringes of the first team. He almost forced an equaliser on the half-hour mark when his long distance shot was forced over by Ross Stewart.
St Mirren’s lead was quickly doubled three minutes into the re- start when Reilly cut inside the box and his shot across goal was too much and beat Mason Kelby.
Hearts tried to force their way back into the match and were rewarded when Jamie Brandon and Aidan Kenna combined to find Currie at the far post to give the Paisley fans the jitters.
Sutton, off the bench, calmed the nerves quickly after wards by nodding home from close range after being set up by Reilly.