ST MIRREN 3 UNITED 0

The table-topping Tangerines travelled to Paisley looking to maintain their 100% record for a fourth straight victory. Following last week’s hard-earned win over Brechin City, injuries meant there were two enforced changes with James Keatings and Scott Fraser ruled out. In came Willo Flood and Paul McMullan after suspension. Harvey Dailly and Archie Thomas were on the bench from which Logan Chalmers dropped out.

By Peter Rundo

Last season, each side could claim a win each from the trips west. United were 2-0 winners in October but were beaten 3-2 in March. But unlike last season when Saints were very much battling to beat the drop, they ended the season as Championship's form team to stay up and are viewed as one of the chief rivals to Tannadice hopes of going up, so, even this early in the season, there can be no doubting the importance of this fixture.

First Half:

Former United keeper Craig Samson was  the first to be called into action, holding a first time shot from Sam Stanton from a Billy King cross after three minutes.

And a minute later, Samson had to dive on a low drive from McMullan.

If United had started well, it was not a portent of what was to come as Saints took a grip on proceedings as they controlled the midfield.

On fifteen minutes, a typical McMullan mazy run was halted, but the ref ruled he had dived and booked him.

Immediately afterwards, a Sam Stanton shot was deflected for a corner from which United almost broke the deadlock. From it King played the ball into Scott McDonald whose shot on the turn rebounded off Samson’s chest before being cleared.

As Saints broke to the other end, Jamie Robson was the second United player to be yellow-carded for his late challenge on Lewis Morgan after 17 minutes.

Midway through the half, Harry Lewis was called into action for the first time, smothering a somewhat tame Gavin Reilly effort from the edge of the box.

But on 26 minutes, the United keeper was beaten as Morgan was allowed to run unchallenged at the heart of the United defence before firing a right-footed 25-yarder low into the bottom left-hand corner.

At this stage Saints had their tails up, but the Tangerines responded by forcing three successive corners, none of which brought any joy.

With nothing seeming to go right, McDonald was the third Tangerine to be booked for dissent.

The hosts continued to have the better of things and but for an offside flag would have doubled their lead on 36 minutes.

Ian McShane fired in a free-kick which Lewis pushed on to the post and although the rebound fell to a Saints player, he was offside, though that was academic as he failed to find the net.    

And there was another scare for the visitors after 40 minutes when Stewart Murdoch was short with a back-header on to which Reilly was on to a flash and, although he beat the advancing Lewis, he couldn’t direct his effort on target.

And a minute later a McShane corner bounced off the top of the bar, but fortunately, the ball was safely cleared.

Therefore, the only consolation for the considerable United support was that half-time whistle.

Second Half:

Manager Ray McKinnon made no changes as the action resumed, but there was no question he would be looking for a change of direction in proceedings.

On that point he must have been severely disappointed when the team conceded a second goal three minutes after the restart.

A clearance landed at the feet of Morgan standing just outside the corner of the penalty box and he despatched a curling left-footer into the far top corner.

A frustrating afternoon got worse a minute later when Fyvie’s name was the fourth to go in the book after a foul on Cammy Smith.

Jamie Robson embarked on a lung-bursting run before firing a shot just off-target ten minutes into the second half.

And a couple of minutes later Fyvie fired in a shot from the edge of the box as United threatened again.

Son after, Paul Quinn was the fifth United player to be booked after he brought down Reilly on the halfway line.

With 62 minutes gone, Stanton cleverly threaded a pass through to McDonald, but the chance was lost as he overcooked his cross.

Two minutes later, Steven McGinn first timed a volley from the edge of the box just past.

Shortly after wards, Patrick N’Koyi replaced  Fyvie.

Adam Eckersley was the first Saint to sin, earning a caution for tripping McMullan midway through the second half.

McMullan took the free-kick but curled his effort just wide.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Lewis beat away a Cammy Smith from a Morgan cut-back to prevent a third.

And with 12 minutes left, United’s hopes were completely buried when Saints scored a third.

Man of the Match Morgan cut then ball back to McShane on the edge of the box and he had all the time in the world to pick his spot!  

There was one last act of defiance from United with Murdoch firing in a lone ranger straight at Samson.

Before this game many viewed this as United’s first real test and, unfortunately, one they failed.

On this form, the Paisley side’s title challenge is a very real one. 

St Mirren – Sansom, Demetriou, McGinn (C), Buchanan, Morgan (Whyte 88), C Smith, Baird, McShane, Reilly (Stewart 89),  L Smith (Kirkpatrick 86), Eckersley.

Subs not used – Stewart, Duffy, Sutton, O’Keefe.

United - Lewis, Murdoch, Durnan, Quinn, Robson, Flood (C), Fyvie (N'Koyi  65), Stanton, McMullan, King, McDonald.

Subs not used - Deniz, Toshney, Edjenguele, Allardice, Daily, Thomas.

Attendance - 4768 (Arabs 971)

Referee – Kevin Clancy