St Mirren earned a hard-fought victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, but the result was overshadowed by confirmation that the Paisley club will face the dreaded relegation play-off.
Going into the fixture, St Mirren knew they had to better Kilmarnock’s result to keep their hopes of a 10th-place finish alive. However, despite goals from Richard King and Killian Phillips, Kilmarnock’s late win against Dundee means safety is now mathematically out of reach.
Interim manager Craig McLeish had demanded a reaction following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock last Saturday, and his side delivered an energetic performance. The breakthrough came when Mark O’Hara found Jacob Devaney, who crossed for Richard King to fire home the opener.
Aberdeen, led by former Saints boss Stephen Robinson, pushed for an equaliser in the second half. Substitute Lyall Cameron nearly sparked a comeback, but a vital last-gasp tackle from Alex Gogic kept the visitors in front. St Mirren eventually doubled their lead when Killian Phillips reacted quickest to a rebound after Gogic hit the post with a powerful free-kick.
While Aberdeen hit the bar through Graeme Shinnie late on, St Mirren saw out the win. It was a spirited display, but one that ultimately consigns them to a two-legged play-off final against either Dunfermline Athletic or Partick Thistle.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
