Craig Brown returned to the eleven that delivered the 3-0 win at Kilmarnock but he had to make a change after 25 minutes when Jutkiewicz crumpled after a clash in the opposition six yard box. He needed a dozen stitches in a thigh wound and reports suggest that it was his fellow striker Sutton who caused the damage with his studs. Murphy came on and he was to provide the opening goal in the second half. Well done Jamie
The majority of the game saw resolute defending by the visitors and they kept Motherwell at bay until minute 55. Until then we had been unable to breakthrough depite playing most of the game in St Mirren's last third. Our crosses failed to connect and the final pass was ineffective. Sutton came close with a 25 yard strike which rattled the bar but Gallacher had few direct shots to save.
St Mirren had a few opportunities and might have sneaked the opener with better finishing. Hammell produced a telling tackle not long before the break to spare embarrassment.
Murphy had looked lively and got his reward ten minutes into the second half. He reached Sutton's knock down from Craigan's free kick and his first time strike flew into the net from eight yards. The visitors rang the changes but we withstood their advances, Craigan playing a major part. Lasley had a fine game and deserved his assist when he laid the ball on for Sutton with fifteen minutes remaining. The striker turned and stroked the ball to Gallacher's left to seal the win.
The pitch deteriorated at the game progressed. There were bumps, holes and ugly divots all over and Ruddy had a few escapes when the ball bounced unpredictably. It was reminiscent of last season at times!
The win (the first for years live on TV) keeps us in sixth position and distances us further from the bottom. A similar showing at Falkirk on Wednesday could deliver three consecutive league wins for the new management team.