Long wait over at last for home win as new-look St Mirren see off Alloa

St Mirren's Calum Gallagher, centre, celebrates his goal with his team-mates. Picture: SNS

Saints fans had not enjoyed a league success at the Paisley 2021 Stadium since their last home game as a Premiership side when they defeated Motherwell last May. Rae gave starting debuts to new recruits Rocco Quinn and David Clarkson but it was Alloa who went in front after just nine minutes when Isaac Layne rolled in a penalty after Keith Watson was judged to have used a hand to block a shot.

Watson made up for that error eight minutes from the break when he fired home a fine shot from 18 yards.

Another of Rae’s new recruits, Alex Cooper, was introduced at half-time and just before the hour mark Saints took the lead. Lawrence Shankland fired for goal and when the ball was diverted into the air Callum Gallagher was on hand to nod home.

A fourth new Saint, Gary Irvine, was brought on just before Stevie Mallan finished a late breakaway to wrap up the points with Rae saying: “We secured the three points in a difficult manner. However, I have to praise the  players for responding to going behind. With so many new faces involved it was a good win to get.”

It was a bad day on and off the park for Livingston as they went down 1-0 at Dumbarton with the club starting an investigation into alleged racist comments made to skipper Darren Cole.

The game was played in a howling gale with the wind possibly a factor in 57 minutes when Mark Docherty swung over a corner that deceived Marc McCallum in the Livi goal and ended in the net.

As well as falling six points behind their hosts, Livingston are looking to trace the fan or fans who were involved in heckling Cole.

A club spokesperson said: “We have also been told a group shouted racist abuse among a list of other expletives aimed at our club captain. We are now investigating and shall advise further in due course.”