St Mirrenoff bounced back from their midweek defeat to Hamilton with a hard fought victory over Aberdeen. A long range David Wilson strike was enough to secure the 3 points and leave Saints in a good position to qualify from their group section.
With manager Ross Lafferty absent, Stuart Baungally took charge of the team which had a few enforced changes from their previous match. Former captain Gordian "Sinatra" Mothersole made what must be his 7th comeback from retirement to slot in at centre half. William Rankine returned in goals and Gareth Fairley came in up front.
The match, started brightly for Saints as they set out for an early goal. Ryan Keenan should have opened the scoring when the ball broke to him inside the box, but with the keeper beaten, he could only look on as his effort struck the post and bounced to safety.
Saints were looking assured and with tough tackling midfielder Gary Clark breaking up Aberdeen attacks before they advanced into dangerous areas and Duncan Johnston protecting the back four, the home team were limiting their opponents to long range shots that didn't trouble keeper Rankine.
St Mirrenoff's front three of Keenan, Bannerman and Fairley were causing the Aberdeen defence plenty of problems. They combined well to set up a chance when the ball was worked wide to Keenan. His deep cross was picked up by Bannerma, who skipped inside his man and fired a low effort which the away keeper got down to save.
St Mirrenoff took the lead midway through the first half as a cross into the Aberdeen box was headed clear. Unfortunately for the visitors, the clearance bounce towards Saints midfielder Wilson, who struck a first time half volley from 30 yards into the bottom corner of the goal.
The lead was almost doubled in spectacular fashion when Johnston hit a dipping volley from 25 yards but his effort went narrowly over the bar.
Saints back line of Hall, MacKean, Gray and Mothersole looked solid and kept the Aberdeen forward at bay. Keeper Rankine was finally called into action late in the first half when a shot from outside the box was comfortably dealt with.
The game should have been over when Bannerman beat two men and burst into the penalty area. A misunderstanding with Fairley, had the two forwards getting in each others way, and the chance looked lost. However, Bannerman managed to poke the ball to Wilson who should have done better than put the ball over the crossbar from 15 yards.
Aberdeen started throwing men forward and had the ball in the Saints net twice in the final 15 minutes but on both occasions, the referee ruled them out for clear offsides.
St Mirrenoff had another chance to kill the game in the closing minutes when full back, Chris Hall worked himself into a shooting position but he screwed his effort just wide from 18 yards.
Aberdeen had a final chance to snatch a point when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Rankine showed a safe pair of hands, with 2 players chasing the ball in, when he held a difficult shot which bounced just in front of him.
St Mirrenoff's assistant manager Stuart Baungally said after the game, "It was a solid performance after the disappointment in midweek. We created enough chances and it should have been more comfortable but we're pleased to get the win after a tough final 10 mins."
