St Mirren squeezed Championship Dundee on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to get through to fifth round of the Scottish Cup. The opening stages of this Paisley clash was largely disrupted by a serious injury picked up by Dundee man Tyler French, who was stretchered off after a lengthy delay for treatment, tagging an extra EIGHT minutes onto the first half.
To be fair the Taysiders they didn’t let the early setback affect them too much, as they knocked the ball around and quite clearly looked to use the threat of Paul McMullan in behind, while the hosts didn’t create anything of note. Cammy Kerr then followed French off injured before Lyall Cameron must have thought he’d given his side a half time lead but for a great Trevor Carson save.
An impatient Stephen Robinson made a double sub at half time with Declan Gallagher and Jonah Ayunga were replaced by Alex Greive and Ethan Erhahon, who were followed on by Greg Kiltie for Keanu Baccus ten minutes later, with 20 minutes remaining Cameron had another chance saved. Nothing could separate the sides after 90 minutes, so the game went to extra time. Even after an extra 30 minutes, the sides were deadlocked before the Buddies held their nerve to win on penalties. Here's three talking points.
Saints home comforts sees Cup progression
Stephen Robinson’s men have turned the SMISA Stadium into somewhat of a fortress this campaign, having only lost in Paisley to Motherwell on the opening day of the season. It's that 10-game unbeaten sequence which sees them level on points with sixth placed Hibs in the Scottish Premiership table. This shootout victory over Championship Dundee stretched that run even further as St Mirren booked their place in round five and target a run in the Cup. The win also only increases the confidence of the Buddies squad going forward as they get ready to host Stevie Hammell’s Steelmen for the second time in the league this term in seven days time.
Dundee bow out but their ultimate prize is promotion
The Dark Blues had not lost on the road since Rangers knocked them out of the League Cup at Ibrox back in October last year. Experienced manager Gary Bowyer will be very disappointed that the run has come to a conclusion today in Paisley and with it the chance to progress into the fifth round of this season’s Scottish Cup. But the former Blackpool gaffer will know that his side have bigger fish to fry this term, with the team who currently occupy third spot in second tier as they look for quick fire return to the Scottish Premiership after relegation just last season.
Robinson will be frustrated even in win
The ultimate goal for both sides at the start of the afternoon was to get through to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup and that was achieved by St Mirren. The manager will be pleased to be in the hat for the next stage of the competition but that will be where the satisfaction starts and ends for Stephen Robinson. Particularly when you are in charge of a Premiership side who can’t find the back of the net after two hours and rely on spot kicks from 12 yards.
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