Peterhead 1 - 6 St Mirren: Ruthless St Mirren hit six to progress

Published on Tuesday 18 January 2011 17:18

ST MIRREN eased their way to a convincing victory over Second Division Peterhead to book their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup against Ayr United.

Paul McGowan was the hat-trick hero for the visitors, with Paul McQuade grabbing a double and Aaron Mooy grabbing a confidence-boosting goal, before Graeme Sharp bagged a late consolation for the hosts.

Peterhead striker Dave Ross missed a glorious chance after 20 minutes when Jim Goodwin's sloppy pass allowed the striker through on goal, but Paul Gallacher spread himself to turn the effort round the post.

The hosts would regret that missed opportunity two minutes later as the visitors went ahead. On-loan Watford wing-back Jure Travner swung in a teasing ball from the left and McGowan had the simplest of tasks to nod home from six yards.

Mooy made it two when he was perfectly placed to turn home from close range, and a poor 11-minute spell for the Blue Toon was capped as St Mirren all but sealed their place in the fifth round. Travner delivered from the left, picked out McGowan with a low ball and he converted.

McQuade added a fourth on the stroke of half-time and, just two minutes after the restart, McGowan took advantage of slack defending to complete his hat-trick. The Saints were not finished there, and McQuade bagged his second with a fine curling finish before Sharp's late consolation.

Peterhead: Bateman, Donald, MacDonald, Scott Ross, Stuart Smith, McVitie, Anderson, Strachan, David Ross, Wyness, Sharp. Subs: Jarvie, Nicholas Clark, Gethans, Moore, Emslie.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Potter, Mair, McGregor, van Zanten, Thomson, Goodwin, Travner, McQuade, McGowan, Mooy. Subs: Samson, Cregg, Dargo, McLean, Murray.