Declan Gallagher grabbed his second goal of the season as St Mirren ended a run of three straight defeats with a deserved victory on the day they paid tribute to legend Billy Thomson.
The Buddies Hall of Famer adorned the front cover of the match programme, a minute’s applause was held in his honour, a section of the support unfurled a banner which read ‘RIP Billy Thomson’ and black armbands were donned.
Then the Saints class of 2022-23 said farewell to the great man in the best way possible this afternoon with a vital win which lifted the club to fifth place in the Premiership table.
Ross County – who finished with 10 men after Owura Edwards saw red – could have few complaints, particularly after a miserable first-half display, while Saints perhaps should have won by a bigger margin.
Buddies boss Stephen Robinson – hit by injuries and keen to bounce back following a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Motherwell on Wednesday night – showed four changes to his starting line-up.
Out went Richard Taylor, Keanu Baccus, Alex Gogic and Scott Tanser with Charles Dunne, Thierry Small, Ryan Flynn and Greg Kiltie all handed opportunities.
Heavy grey skies hung overhead with the rain falling steadily but a bright start and early goal ensured the Buddies faithful were soon of a sunny disposition.
There were only seven minutes on the clock when Ryan Strain’s on-the-money delivery from a corner found Gallagher who powered home a header from close range.
It was just the start Saints needed and credit has to go to on-loan Southampton youngster Small who created the set-piece chance with a delightful cross County had to deal with and could only turn behind.
The home side continued to dominate and Staggies chief Malky Mackay, drenched in the dugout, would have been sorely tempted to double check his players weren’t still sitting on the team bus.
Mackay looked on as keeper Ross Laidlaw made a smart save to deny Strain before his team offered signs of life – Jordan White’s effort from a narrow angle was smothered by Saints No 1 Trevor Carson while Keith Watson skied a George Harmon corner.
Enough had been seen by the interval, however, with County making a triple substitution in time for the start of the second half and switching to a 4-4-2 shape.
As expected, the visitors returned to the fray with fleas in their ears; Nohan Kenneh and one of the trio introduced, Ross Callachan, having efforts which dipped just over the bar.
As long as Saints’ lead remained slender, County were still a threat and, as the hour mark ticked by, Robinson and his battalion would have been ruing not capitalising further in terms of goals when they were in the ascendancy in the first half.
County appealed for a penalty when Carson challenged Owura in the box but referee Graham Grainger was unmoved and there was no VAR review.
It was a decision which angered visiting boss Mackay who would later offer no defence for Owura's dismissal.
In the 66th minute, patient Saints build up saw Tony Watt collect the ball in the area with his fierce shot-on-the-turn flying over.
Four minutes later, Staggies sub Gwion Edwards curled a long-range free-kick just off target as County searched for an equaliser and a way back into proceedings.
Saints’ bench had a youthful look and one of the rising stars, Kieran Offord, was handed a chance to shine in the 77th minute when he replaced Watt.
A minute later, the Buddies came so close to extending their advantage when Alex Iacovitti directed a Curtis Main shot from a mishit effort by Kiltie on to his own post.
And only some superb goalkeeping from Laidlaw denied midfield ace Flynn as Saints piled on the pressure in their quest to put the game to bed.
County had offered little in the closing stages but could have snatched a point as the game headed into injury time with Edwards dancing into the box and unleashing a shot which was well saved by Carson.
In the melee that followed, however, Owura went in on the Northern Irish custodian, as he anticipated a rebound, and was booked.
But VAR decided ref Grainger should take another peek at what happened and, having done so, rescinded the caution to give Owura his marching orders for serious foul play. County's hopes went up the tunnel with him as the points stayed in Paisley.
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
