All the Saints march on into next round

Published on Thursday 27 August 2009 09:43

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson backed Michael Higdon to keep scoring after the English striker grabbed his first goal for the club in the 2-0 victory over Ayr United.

Higdon's deft header from a 25th-minute David Barron cross, his first goal since his summer switch from Falkirk, set Saints on their way to a Co-operative Insurance Cup second-round triumph at Somerset Park.

Ayr competed well in midfield but St Mirren's physical advantage told, with Higdon forming a formidable strike partnership with Billy Mehmet.

"It was a good ball into the box from David Barron coming in off his right foot," MacPherson said.

"We have to get the supply to Michael because, if you get the right supply to Michael, he will score goals."

Saints comfortably soaked up Ayr's late pressure and Mehmet slotted home in injury-time, 60 seconds after Dean Kennan had been sent off for a professional foul on the former Dunfermline forward.

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes believes his on-form strikers could be pivotal to the Perth side's hopes of staying in the Scottish Premier League this season.

McInnes watched on as Steven Milne and Kenny Deuchar both netted doubles with Felipe Morais and Collin Samuel completing a 6-0 hammering of Second Division Arbroath.

And as he prepares his side to host Hearts on Sunday, McInnes hopes the rich vein of scoring form continues to keep last season's promoted side in the top flight.

"Our strikers are scoring goals right now so long may that continue," said McInnes.

"We had all three of our strikers on the scoresheet against Arbroath so that can only be good for their confidence.

"Strikers live off their goals and that's Milne and Deuchar both on three goals so I hope they can take that sort of form into the league.

"History has shown in this league that, of all the sides fighting down the bottom, the ones who tend to survive have goalscorers.

"We have some very talented players in our side so if we can keep the ball out at one end and score at the other then we will have a chance."

In last night's other tie, Dunfermline triumphed in the Fife derby against Raith Rovers at East End Park, an Andy Kirk double and a Mark Campbell own goal securing a 3-1 win as Iain Williamson replied with a penalty for the visitors.