Saints showed resilience as they came from behind to defeat Arbroath 4-2 at Gayfield Park this afternoon to restore their five-point lead at the top of the William Hill Championship.
The hosts took the lead on 34 minutes as Ryan Dow slotted home following a quick counter-attack. Saints responded well and were back on level terms before the break, with Jamie Gullan finding the net to ensure the sides went in level at half-time.
Saints edged in front on 56 minutes thanks to a superb header from Liam Smith, but the advantage was short-lived as Thomas O’Brien equalised just two minutes later with a header from a Dow free kick.
Saints though went on to take full control of the match as Josh Fowler took advantage of a mishit by Aaron Muirhead before slotting home Saints third of the afternoon. Any hopes of another fightback by the Red Lichties were quickly extinguished, though, as Jack Baird added a fourth with a close-range header to seal an impressive victory on the road.
The result coupled with Partick Thistle drawing 1-1 at Ayr United means Saints have a five-point advantage over the Jags at the top of the William Hill Championship with four games remaining.
Next up for Saints is a home game against Airdrieonians next Saturday, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints were back on the road today as they headed to Angus to take on Arbroath at Gayfield Park. There was one change to the side which drew 1-1 at home to Queen’s Park last Saturday as Josh Fowler dropped to the bench and he was replaced by Jamie Gullan. Arbroath co-managers David Gold and Colin Hamilton made two changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Greenock Morton last time out as Harry Cochrane and Gavin Reilly came in to replace Thomas Beadling, who dropped to the bench, whilst Scott Robinson missed out completely.
It was a wet afternoon in Arbroath as Gavin Reilly got the match underway for the hosts.
It was a cagey opening to the match as both sides cancelled each other out. Saints first chance of the match came after 10 minutes as Josh McPake gathered the ball out on the left before sending over a cross which was gathered by Aidan McAdams as Liam Smith tried to get on the end of it.
The first half was lacking cleared cut chances in front of goal and on 27 minutes Ryan Dow cut inside and away from Smith before picking out Reilly in the centre however, his effort lacked power as Toby Steward gathered the ball.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton and Ryan Flynn
Arbroath were looking the likelier side to make the breakthrough, and they did just that with 11 minutes of the first half remaining. A quick break forward saw Findlay Marshall play in Dow and he despatched a composed finish beyond Steward to give the Red Lichties the lead.
Saints though responded and they were back on level terms on 41 minutes. Saints were awarded a throw-in down the right, which incensed the home fans as they thought it should have gone their way. Smith took it quick, playing in Sam Stanton down the right channel. The midfielder then sent over a good delivery into the box which Jamie Gullan got on the end of to despatch a low strike beyond McAdams.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan celebrates his goal
Saints made a change at the break as Josh Fowler came on to replace Jason Holt.
The visitors made a good start to the second half as on 52 minutes Fowler drew the foul from Arbroath captain Thomas O’Brien to win Saints a free kick. Reece McAlear stepped up to take the free kick as his curling effort hit the side netting. Then 3 minutes later Saints carved out another chance as Ruari Paton picked out McPake who skipped past Craig Watson as he cut inside before dragging his shot wide of the target.
Saints positive start to the second half was rewarded on 56 minutes as they took the lead. Good build-up play saw the ball worked to Morgan Boyes on the left and the Saints captain sent over a delightful ball into the box which was met by Smith at the back post who planted a superb header beyond McAdams.
PHOTO: Liam Smith celebrates scoring to make it 2-1
The lead though didn’t last for long as the Red Lichties were back on level terms 2 minutes later. The hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the box after Dow was caught by Jack Baird. Dow dusted himself down to take the free kick as the former Dundee United midfielder sent over a deep delivery into the Saints box and it was met by Arbroath captain Thomas O’Brien at the back post who headed the ball into the net.
Saints now set about regaining their lead and on 59 minutes Jamie Gullan won Saints a free kick after he was caught by Harry Cochrane. Gullan took the free kick as his delivery into the Arbroath box was met by Cheick Diabate however, the defender couldn’t find the target with his header.
The second half saw the wind starting to pick up as Storm Dave started to set in across the country and Saints were using it to their advantage as they used the wind at their back to press forward. On 61 minutes Fowler won Saints another free kick, this time out on the right wing, after he was fouled by Ryan Flynn. Gullan again stepped up to take the free kick and his delivery into the danger area was this time met by Paton as his strong header skimmed the crossbar.
Saints good play was rewarded on 66 minutes as they regained their lead. Stanton sent a good ball forward which Arbroath defender Aaron Muirhead mishit as he tried to clear and Fowler reacted quickest as he gathered the ball and burst forward, into the box before slotting a fine finish past McAdams.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler scores Saints third of the afternoon
Saints then put some daylight between themselves and Arbroath on 74 minutes as they made it 4-2. Simo Valakari’s side were awarded a free kick after Gullan was fouled by Jack Wilkie, who was booked by referee Lloyd Wilson. Stanton took the free kick and his delivery into the box fell nicely for Baird who headed home from close range at the back post.
PHOTO: Jack Baird scores to make it 4-2
It was a much improved second half performance from Saints and they kept up the pressure on 76 minutes as Dow was booked for a foul on Fowler on the edge of the box. Gullan took the resultant free kick as he curled his effort just wide of the top corner. Then with 5 minutes remaining a corner from the right by Stanton saw the ball bounce around the Arbroath box before it broke to Paton, but he dragged his effort wide.
Saints made a late change as Jamie Gullan was replaced by Taylor Steven, as they comfortably saw out the final minutes to secure a huge three points on the road.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari celebrates with the fans at full time
Arbroath: McAdams, Watson (Enem 89’), Wilkie, O’Brien, Muirhead (Gillie 82’), Cochrane, Flynn (Beadling 89’), Stewart, Dow (MacIntyre 82’), Marshall, Reilly (Mebude 82’)
Unused Substitutes: Pettigrew (GK), Hamilton, Gold
Booked: Wilkie, Dow, Muirhead, McAdams
Scorers: Dow (34’), O’Brien (58’)
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Boyes, Holt (Fowler 45’), Gullan (Steven 86’), Stanton, Baird, Paton, McPake, Smith, McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Foulds, Lloyd, Fotheringham, Mallan, Agyeman, Forrester
Booked: Holt, Gullan, McPake, Diabate
Scorers: Gullan (41’), Smith (56’), Fowler (66’), Baird (74’)
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Attendance: 2,525
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh Fowler celebrates his goal
