Saints extended their lead at the top of the William Hill Championship this afternoon as they defeated Ayr United 3-1 at McDiarmid Park.
Reece McAlear opened the scoring from the edge of the penalty area on 16 minutes, but the opener was cancelled out two minutes later by Liam Dick who headed home Ben Dempsey’s cross.
Cheick Diabate’s header from a Jamie Gullan corner restored Saints lead three minutes before the break. Ruari Paton added the cushion with four minutes remaining as he took advantage of a mistake by Ayr keeper Max Thompson before rolling the ball into the empty net.
The win moves Saints five points clear of second place Partick Thistle who played out a goalless draw at home to Arbroath.
Saints are back in action next Saturday as they take on Greenock Morton at Cappielow Park, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
Saints were back on home soil for the first time in a month this afternoon as they welcomed Ayr United for a William Hill Championship match. Simo Valakari made three changes to the side which started the 1-1 draw at Queen’s Park on Tuesday evening as Adam Forrester and Ruari Paton dropped to the bench, whilst Morgan Boyes missed out as he started his two-game suspension after getting sent off late on at The City Stadium in midweek. They were replaced by Jack Baird, Matty Foulds and Sam Stanton. Ayr United lost 2-1 to Inverness CT in the semi-final of the KDM Evolution Trophy on Tuesday evening and Scott Brown also made three changes to his starting eleven this afternoon. Liam Dick, Ben Dempsey and Ben Summers came in to replace George Finney, who dropped to the bench, whilst Ethan Walker and George Oakley missed out due to injury.
Stuart Bannigan got the match underway for the visitors and Saints made a positive start to the match as they forced a couple of early corners.
The Honest Men got a sight of goal on 6 minutes as Bannigan picked out Ben Summers however, his curling effort didn’t trouble Toby Steward.
Good passing play by Saints on 13 minutes saw Fowler pick out Josh McPake just outside the box and his strike was blocked by Scott McMann. Then 2 minutes later Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the right after Jason Holt was fouled by Summers. Jamie Gullan took the free kick and his delivery into the Ayr box was only cleared as far as Reece McAlear, who unleashed a low driving effort from the edge of the box which nestled in the net to put Saints a goal up.
PHOTO: Reece McAlear celebrates his goal
Ayr’s response was swift, as they levelled the match 2 minutes later. Ben Dempsey delivered a dangerous ball from the right, and Liam Dick rose highest to meet it, as he sent a looping header into the net to make it 1-1.
Saints came close to regaining the lead on 20 minutes as Sam Stanton saw his left-footed strike saved by Max Thompson. The loose ball then broke to Josh Fowler however, he couldn’t convert as Ayr scrambled the ball clear.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining McPake did well to win Saints a free kick on the left after drawing the foul on Bannigan. Gullan stepped up to take the free kick however, he curled his effort narrowly over.
PHOTO: Max Thompson denies Josh Fowler
Saints restored their lead on 42 minutes as Gullan sent over an inviting corner from the left which was met by Cheick Diabate who nodded the ball into the top corner of the net.
Saints almost made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time as McAlear unleashed a power strike from distance which cannoned off the crossbar.
The first change of the game came on 53 minutes as Saints introduced Taylor Steven into the action, replacing Jamie Gullan.
PHOTO: Sam Stanton’s shot is saved by Max Thompson
On 56 minutes a good move by Saints down the left saw McPake play in Matty Foulds and the cutback from the left-back was met by Stanton but Thompson made a good save to deny the Saints midfielder.
Saints were forced into another change on 65 minutes as Liam Smith picked up a head knock and had to be replaced by Adam Forrester.
On 67 minutes Ayr substitute George Finney did well to win possession down the right before advancing forward and sending an inviting delivery into the Saints six-yard box, but it flashed right across goal with no one there to meet it. Then 2 minutes later a Dempsey corner from the right was met by Bannigan however, the midfielder couldn’t test Steward with his effort.
Another Saints change then followed as Ruari Paton came on to replace Josh Fowler.
PHOTO: Josh McPake is fouled by Leon King
The Honest Men were awarded a free kick with 10 minutes remaining after Dick was fouled by McAlear. Bannigan took the free kick as he swung over the ball into the box, which was met by Leon King however, his header lacked power as Steward comfortably gathered the ball. The Somerset Park side continued to search for an equaliser and a minute later Summers picked out McMann whose effort from just outside the box was weak as Steward again comfortably gathered the ball.
Ayr continued to ask questions of the Saints defence and on 84 minutes Summers sent over a decent delivery into the box which was met by Kevin Holt but again Steward was equal to the effort as he gathered the header from the defender.
Saints then hit the visitors with a quick break up field as Stanton burst forward before slipping in Steven whose effort was turned behind for a corner by Finney.
Saints though wrapped up the points with 4 minutes remaining as Forrester’s cross into the box was spilled by Thompson and Paton gathered the loose ball before rounding the keeper to roll the ball into the empty net to ease any nerves in the home end.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton rounds keeper Max Thompson to score Saints third goal
Saints: Steward, Diabate, Holt, Fowler (Paton 71’), Gullan (Steven 53’), Stanton, Foulds, Baird, McPake, Smith (Forrester 65’), McAlear
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Tumilty, Lloyd, Fotheringham, Mallan, Agyeman
Booked: Stanton, McPake
Scorers: McAlear (16’), Diabate (42’), Paton (86’)
Ayr United: Thompson, McAllister (Finney 59’), Dick, Holt, Bannigan, Dempsey, Summers (Turley 88’), Bonnar (Hislop 76’), King, McKenzie (McRoberts 88’), McMann
Unused Substitutes: Russell (GK), Want
Booked: Dempsey, Summers, McAllister
Scorer: Dick (18’)
Referee: Dan McFarlane
Attendance: 3,961
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Cheick Diabate celebrates his goal
