St Mirren 1 Rangers 0: McGinn's magic moment stuns ragged Rangers

LONG after Love Street becomes a construction site next year, St Mirren supporters will cherish the memory of this remarkable and unexpected victory over Rangers.

Stephen McGinn, grandson of former Celtic chairman Jack McGinn, stepped off the substitutes' bench to write his name into Paisley folklore with a magnificent goal which earned St Mirren their first win over the Ibrox club for 17 years and first at home since 1986.

It was a miserable final visit to the old stadium for Rangers and their manager Walter Smith who now find themselves behind champions Celtic on goal difference at the top of the SPL after suffering their first league defeat of the season.

St Mirren's famous win lifted them off the bottom of the table, relegating Aberdeen to the bottom of the pile, and was achieved through a combination of tactical astuteness by manager Gus MacPherson and the sheer doggedness of his players.

MacPherson's decision to switch to a 3-5-2 formation, one he has rarely employed since St Mirren's return to the SPL three seasons ago, was prompted in part by the suspension of Franco Miranda, his only recognised left-back.

By operating with wing-backs, however, the Saints manager was able to flood the midfield and limit the movement and creativity of Rangers in a department which has been key to their recent winning form.

Kirk Broadfoot, the former St Mirren captain, has been a significant attacking weapon for Rangers this season but the right-back was effectively curbed by Steven Robb on the left of the home team's midfield as MacPherson's strategy was vindicated in a stilted first half.

There was a flatness about Rangers almost from the start and it was St Mirren who carried the greater conviction in the opening stages. Pedro Mendes was cautioned for cynically halting a break by Dennis Wyness who had been set free by Billy Mehmet's clever lay-off. Robb curled in the free-kick which Rangers were unable to clear properly, presenting a chance for Garry Brady who pulled his shot wide of McGregor's right-hand post.

Jean-Claude Darcheville was again preferred to Kris Boyd in attack by Smith and the French forward was denied Rangers' first scoring opportunity by a superbly timed challenge from Will Haining inside the penalty area.

Scott Cuthbert, on loan from Celtic, did well to prevent a dangerous cross from Darcheville reaching Kenny Miller but such threatening moments from Rangers were few and far between.

Kevin Thomson, after a distinctly unimpressive start to the match which saw him misdirect several passes straight to St Mirren players, almost redeemed himself when he pounced on a similar error by Gary Mason who played the ball sloppily into his path.

Not a noted goalscorer, Thomson struck his shot from 20 yards well but it was parried by Saints goalkeeper Mark Howard and the home defence were able to scramble the ball to safety.

It was Thomson who came close again for Rangers when they produced their most incisive move yet six minutes from half-time. Mendes and Charlie Adam linked sweetly with Thomson, opening up space for the midfielder to run into and strike a rising shot which Howard did well to touch over for a corner.

Rangers had established dominance of territory and possession by that stage but were finding it no easier to break down St Mirren's stubborn and well drilled resistance, although Madjid Bougherra should have done better than head an Adam corner over from close range as the visitors tried to bring greater intensity to their work in the second half.

Rangers were forced to make a change when Thomson was carried off in some distress after sustaining what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in a fierce challenge from Brady. He was replaced by Kyle Lafferty who lined up on the left of midfield, with Adam moving in to a central role. A cute back-heeled pass from Mendes allowed Steven Davis to create an excellent opportunity for Darcheville, only for the forward to clumsily fall over his own feet as he shanked his shot wide of the target. It prompted the Rangers fans to howl for the introduction of Boyd and their wish was granted when he duly replaced Darcheville moments later.

It was a St Mirren change, however, which would lead to their dramatic winning goal 13 minutes from time. McGinn, who had come on for Andy Dorman just five minutes earlier, collected a smart headed pass from the excellent Mehmet and took full advantage of the space which opened up in front of him as he curled a superb left-foot shot beyond the helpless McGregor from around 20 yards. Rangers mounted a desperate late assault to try and salvage the point which would have taken them back to the top of the table, but were frustrated by ill fortune and heroic defending in equal measure.

Boyd headed a Sasa Papac cross against Howard's right-hand post to spark a frantic finale which also saw Robb clear a Lafferty header off the line, Hugh Murray block a Miller shot and Haining head a Broadfoot header clear from under his own crossbar. Rangers also had a stoppage-time penalty claim turned down when Broadfoot went down under a Haining challenge but this was St Mirren's day, one they will savour for some time.

St Mirren (3-5-2): Howard, Cuthbert,Potter, Haining; Ross, Dorman (McGinn 72), Mason, Brady (Murray 86), Robb; Wyness (Dargo 72), Mehmet. Subs not used: Smith, Brighton, Hamilton, McAusland.

Rangers (4-4-2): McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Thomson (Lafferty 59), Mendes, Adam; Darcheville (Boyd 66), Miller. Subs not used: Alexander, Beasley, Dailly, Aaron, Loy.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Billy Mehmet (St Mirren)

On a day when possession for his team was at a premium, the St Mirren striker led the line with intelligence and endless energy. His part in Stephen McGinn's winning goal at Love Street should not be underestimated and was an appropriate contribution to cap off a terrific individual display.