St Mirren 2-0 Gretna

Another courageous performance ended in defeat as St Mirren confirmed Gretna’s relegation from the SPL.

Craig Dargo and Billy Mehmet scored the goals which consigned the club to the drop for the first time in their sixty-one year history.

The young Black and Whites fought bravely at Love Street but were powerless to prevent the inevitable from happening.

Nine senior players were made redundant during another traumatic week, leaving Andy Smith and Iain Scott, who took charge in the absence of caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth, few options.

They kept faith with the same makeshift side which performed admirably against Celtic last time out and they displayed the same character from the outset.

St Mirren were the first to threaten when Jim Hamilton drove a shot wide from the edge of the box but it was the visitors who looked more likely to score.

On 10 minutes, a timely challenge from Garry Brady prevented Ryan Baldacchino from connecting with Brendan McGill’s cross after the Irish winger raced clear down the right.

Moments later, a mistake from Chris Smith almost gifted Gretna the lead. The Saints keeper flapped at an inswinging Baldacchino free-kick but Danny Hall’s looping header dropped narrowly wide.

Gus MacPherson’s side began to improve and John Potter volleyed an Andy Dorman free-kick wide at the far post, much to the relief of the static Gretna defence.

Dorman then tested Greg Fleming with a fierce 25 yard free-kick that the Gretna keeper parried to safety. But the danger wasn’t over as Saints resumed play from a throw-in and worked the ball inside to Jim Hamilton. His mis-hit shot fell kindly into the path of Craig Dargo, who slotted home from close range for the opener on 27 minutes.

St Mirren grew in confidence and the goalscorer nearly doubled their lead with an audacious lob which landed on the roof of the net. Dargo then broke the offside trap and bore down on Fleming but the woodwork came to Gretna’s rescue, with his low shot coming back off the post.

Gretna found themselves on the back foot again after the break and Fleming denied Dorman with an excellent block at his near post.

However, from the resulting corner, he was helpless to stop Billy Mehmet from making it 2-0 as a crowded penalty area obstructed his view of the striker’s shot which took a deflection off Nicky Deverdics on its way into the net.

There was to be capitulation though, as the visitors responded in spirited fashion. Brendan McGill was only inches away from connecting with Gavin Skelton’s cross as they tried to reduce the deficit.

And Deverdics went close with a glancing header from a Naughton cross in almost identical circumstances.

The introduction of John Paul Kissock increased Gretna’s attacking prowess with the on loan Everton starlet demonstrating his talent once again.

But with no natural forwards on the park, they struggled in the final third and couldn’t turn their possession into chances.

This prompted the bench into a change and substitute Nathan Taylor almost made an immediate impact when he flashed a shot narrowly wide after a terrific run from deep.

St Mirren should have added to their tally in the closing stages and the woodwork was shaking when Jim Hamilton’s header cannoned off the crossbar, while Fleming produced another good stop to thwart Stewart Kean.

The dejected Black and Whites trudged off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans at the final whistle as time was called on their brief stay in the top-flight.

St Mirren: Smith, Reid, Haining (McAusland 79), Potter, Murray, Dorman, Mehmet, Brady, Maxwell (Docherty 61), Dargo, Hamilton (Kean 70). Subs not used: Howard, Brittain, Corcoran, McGinn.

Gretna: Fleming, Naughton, Skelton, Hall (Kissock 56), Meynell, McGill, Baldacchino (Taylor 68), Osman, Murray, Wilkinson (Barr 46), Deverdics. Subs not used: Krysiak, Hogg, Griffiths. 

Star Man: Paul Murray
As the senior player in a youthful team, the skipper led by example with a resolute performance in the middle of the park. He battled hard to keep possession for his side and used the ball well throughout the game.

Attendance: 3,577
Referee: David Somers