St Mirren ended a run of 4 straight defeats as Scott Tanser’s beautiful purpose helped them come from behind to beat St Johnstone 3-1 on the SMISA Stadium.
The Perth aspect had taken an early lead as Benjamin Kimpioka’s flicked end was given by VAR after being initially chalked off for offside.
However Tanser curled house an unbelievable long-range equaliser in opposition to his previous membership and St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara’s back-post header put the Buddies in entrance.
Three additional targets have been disallowed on a night dominated by VAR, earlier than substitute Jonah Ayunga put gloss on the win in stoppage time as St Mirren leapfrogged St Johnstone to maneuver as much as seventh place within the William Hill Premiership.
St Mirren supervisor Stephen Robinson had named an unchanged workforce from the aspect who misplaced narrowly in opposition to Rangers on Sunday, whereas St Johnstone supervisor Simo Valakari made only one alteration from their win in opposition to Dundee, with Kyle Cameron coming in for Andre Raymond.
It was the Perth aspect who acquired their noses in entrance within the eighth minute by way of in-form Kimpioka, who deftly flicked Jack Sanders’ towering header previous Ellery Balcombe following a St Johnstone nook.
The offside flag initially got here to the house aspect’s support however a prolonged VAR verify confirmed Kimpioka was, in reality, onside because the purpose was given.
Kimpioka had the ball within the web once more on 18 minutes however his left-footed end was dominated out for offside once more and VAR confirmed this choice was appropriate because the rating remained 1-0.
St Mirren had began poorly however they started to exert themselves they usually drew degree on the half-hour mark in spectacular vogue.
The house followers have been nonetheless interesting for a penalty as Matt Smith tangled with Toyosi Olusanya following a nook when the ball was cleared out to preliminary corner-taker Tanser, who curled an inch-perfect strike past Ross Sinclair and into the highest nook from 25 yards.
It had been a large open half and the Perth aspect thought they have been going to go in a purpose in entrance as Adama Sidibeh beautifully chipped Balcombe however the play was introduced again for what regarded like a transparent foul by Sidibeh on defender Charles Dunne.
In a topsy-turvy sport, the house aspect began the second half brighter and have been inches away from a second purpose within the fiftieth minute as Killian Phillips’ deep cross got here again off the angle of submit and crossbar.
That second purpose did come within the 57th minute as Marcus Fraser drove to the byline earlier than crossing for O’Hara, whose header took a slight deflection because it evaded St Johnstone ‘keeper Sinclair and trickled in off the submit.
St Mirren appeared to have made the sport secure within the sixty fifth minute as Phillips drove ahead and slotted by way of the legs of Balcombe after exchanging passes with Greg Kiltie.
However as soon as once more the celebrations have been reduce brief by VAR, with referee Steven McLean disallowing the purpose for a foul by Phillips on Kimpioka after being known as to the pitchside monitor.
That call wouldn’t matter although, as St Mirren wrapped up the win in added time, with Mikael Mandron releasing fellow substitute Ayunga whose composed end settled an entertaining contest and gave the hosts a much-needed victory.
