Queen of South 0 - 2 St Mirren: Saints keep escape hopes alive

St Mirren maintained their impressive push for survival with a fine win at Palmerston.

Stephen Mallan scored in the first half

A first-half goal from Stephen Mallan and Rory Loy’s penalty after the interval earned Jack Ross’s men a fourth victory in six league games. However, the Buddies remain stuck at the bottom of the table as a result of wins for relegation rivals Raith Rovers and Ayr United.

The Paisley side, though, go into the end-of-season run-in just a point behind ninth-placed Ayr and five adrift of Rovers, who occupy eighth and automatic safety.

The Doonhamers almost took the lead in the 11th minute when winger Dom Thomas let fly but his shot crashed off the bar. Saints defender Adam Eckersley almost turned the ball into his own net as Queens continued to apply pressure but the visitors drew first blood.

Lewis Morgan scampered down the left and crossed into the area for the unmarked Mallan, whose crisp drive found the bottom corner.

And in the 54th minute Scott Mercer brought down Morgan in the box with Loy sending keeper Jim Atkinson the wrong way from the spot to seal the points. Queens are now just seven points above second bottom.