[Doc-Bhoy]

St Mirren 2-1 Hibernian

St Mirren eased their relegation fears and dealt a blow to caretaker Tommy Craig's hopes of becoming Hibernian boss with a comfortable win in Paisley.
But it was a freak goal from Ian Maxwell that gave the Buddies the lead after five minutes, the defender's cross looping into the net.

Garry Brady and John Potter threatened Hibs again before the second goal, Gary Mason firing home after 43 minutes.

Mickael Antoine-Curier backheeled a late reply for lacklustre Hibs.

Andy Dorman, who had received international clearance after his move from New England Revolution this week, had to make do with a place on the St Mirren bench.

But Will Haining, Garry Brady and David Barron did make the starting line-up in place of Alan Reid, Franco Miranda and Stephen McGinn.

Hibs also had three changes, with Guillaume Beuzelin, Alan O'Brien and Mickael Antoine-Curier replacing Dean Shiels, Patrick Noubissie and Filipe Morais.

Early lethargy was broken in the fifth minute, when the home side took the lead with a freak goal by Ian Maxwell, his first of the season.

The Buddies left-back aimed a curling cross deep into the Hibs penalty area, but the ball soared over Easter Road goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay and went in off the far post.

Haining was inches away from getting on the end of Brady's free-kick as St Mirren went close to a second goal.

Hibs' first sign of a response came in the 21st minute, when Antoine-Curier volleyed wide from the edge of the box.

But the home side retained the upper hand, with a Brady snap-shot from 30 yards flying a yard over and Ma-Kalambay saving well from a John Potter header.

St Mirren doubled their lead two minutes before the break after a mistake by Rob Jones.

The defender was short with a back-pss, Ma-Kalambay blocked Stewart Kean's drive, but the ball broke to the striker and his lay-off was hammered home by Mason.

The visitors, who were booed off by their fans at the interval, made one change at the break, striker Clayton Donaldson being replaced with Damon Gray.

Hibs' work rate increased, but there was little to suggest they could rescue the game.

Beuzelin and Ross Chisholm both had weak efforts in quick succession as St Mirren concentrated on defending their lead.

St Mirren were still dangerous on the break and Mason fired just wide from long range.

Antoine-Curier grabbed a goal back for Hibs when he took a Ross Chisholm long ball, rounded Chris Smith and knocked the ball in with his heel after 88 minutes.

But it was not enough to prevent Hibs going eight games without a win.



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St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Haining, Potter, Maxwell, Barron, Mason, Brady, Burke, Mehmet, Kean.
Subs: Howard, Dorman, Corcoran, Dargo, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Jones, Hogg, Stevenson, Chisholm, Beuzelin, Kerr, O'Brien, Donaldson, Antoine-Curier.
Subs: McNeil, Morais, Noubissie, Lynch, Shiels, McCormack, Gray.

Referee: K Clark

Good win for St Mirren.