Goals from Calum Gallagher, Stephen Mallan and Scott Agnew had the tie wrapped up by half-time as the Buddies bagged only their second home win of the competitive campaign.

It was plain-sailing throughout for the Buddies with Gallagher notching the opener after only 10 minutes after Cameron Howieson went flying over the advertising hoardings to get a cross in.

Mallan was next on the scoresheet when he drove home from 15 yards after Gallagher pounced on a defensive mistake to square.

And Agnew rounded off the first-half square with a similar strike that resulted from a fine team move. Mallan nutmegged his marker in the middle of the park before releasing Keith Watson. The former Dundee United crossed for Agnew to hammer home from 15 yards.

Half-time: St Mirren 3-0 Dunfermline The second-half turned into something of a non-event, with St Mirren boss Ian Murray using it as an opportunity to hand some youngsters a chance in the first-team.

Barry Cuddihy, Lewis McLear and Jordan Stewart all came on, and Stewart and McLear almost combined to make it 4-0 – but McLear's header cannoned off the crossbar.

Mallan bagged his second with only two minutes left Saints will hope to carry a fine display into next week as they prepare to face Livingston at Almondvale.

For a full report and reaction see Wednesday's Gazette Sport