St Mirren's dismal run of form continued with a 3-1 defeat away to Aberdeen on Saturday, a result that saw the Paisley side drop below their opponents in the Scottish Premiership table. It was a fifth consecutive loss for Craig McLeish's team, who have now taken just one point from their last five league outings and sit eighth in the standings with 10 points from nine games.
Brad Lyons gave Aberdeen a lead inside two minutes, firing home from 22 yards after a pass from Conor Ronan. St Mirren responded well and found an equaliser three minutes before the interval. Killian Phillips held up play before finding Luke Thomas, whose cross was headed home at the far post by Eseosa Sule.
Aberdeen regain control
The game turned after the break. Aberdeen were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a foul by Paul Nsio on Tony Yogane. Kevin Nisbet's initial spot-kick was saved by Jacob Chapman, but the St Mirren goalkeeper could not hold the ball and Nisbet converted the rebound in the 58th minute. The hosts sealed the win 14 minutes later. Afeez Aremu took a quick free-kick that sent Ayoub Mouloua clear, and the substitute, who had been on the pitch for barely a minute, finished to make it 3-1.
St Mirren had chances, with Marius Muller saving from Phillips and Mats Knoester blocking a follow-up, but they could not find a way back. Manager Craig McLeish was left to rue self-inflicted errors. "It's a frustrating one because I feel like we beat ourselves today," McLeish said. He pointed to a lack of pressure on the ball in key moments that gifted Aberdeen opportunities.
A deepening slump
The defeat leaves St Mirren with a goal difference of minus eight, having conceded 17 times this season. Their top scorer Killian Phillips, who has three goals in five appearances, was involved in the equaliser but could not add to his tally. The team's recent fixtures have been punishing, including a 5-0 loss at Hearts and this latest reverse at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson praised his side's reaction after the break. "We started brilliantly. It was a cracking goal from Brad [Lyons], who unfortunately had to come off at half-time with a reaction in his knee," Robinson said. His halftime changes and formation shift proved decisive.
St Mirren must now regroup for a key home match against fourth-placed Dundee on Saturday 24 October. Ending this losing streak has become an urgent priority for McLeish and his squad.
Read the full report at Sky Sports
