A TRADEMARK Stevie Mallan free-kick was enough to earn St Mirren victory over Queen of the South at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday.

Mallan found the net with a pinpoint strike in the first half to put Saints within four points of a promotion play-off place.

The Buddies rode their luck at times in the second period but showed the more resilient side to their game which is continually evident in Alex Rae’s tenure.

Rae has now guided Saints to four league wins in six since taking over from Ian Murray in December.

Alex Cooper and Gary Irvine were both brought into the Saints side after the previous week’s win over Alloa Athletic.

Cameron Howieson and Sean Kelly were the players dropping to the bench.

Saints had a lucky escape from an early Queens corner, Jake Pickard’s hook being kept out by a combination of Jamie Langfield and the woodwork before the unmarked Derek Lyle missed the target with the rebound.

The Doonhamers then had a let off of their own from a Saints corner, Andy Webster unable to force the ball into the net from close range. after being teed up by David Clarkson.

Alex Harris was causing the Buddies defence a few problems, flighting in a fine ball that Kyle Hutton almost got his head on. Iain Russell was able to connect with another delivery, this time from Lewis Kidd on the right, but his snap volley flew wide.

Saints were then dealt a blow after 20 minutes when Webster was taken off as a precaution, Sean Kelly was his replacement.

When Calum Gallagher was fouled around 20 yards from goal it gave Saints a free-kick in what has become Mallan territory and the young midfielder duly obliged, curling a superb strike into the net.

The advantage could have been extended soon after when the Buddies broke forward and Lawrence Shankland fired over from close range, however play had already stopped for a foul on Robbie Thomson. The keeper was in the wars again moments later when he dived at the feet of Clarkson and seemed to have taken a knock to the face.

Half-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Queen of the South

Queens started the second half brightly and nearly drew level through Pickard, but his header was blocked by Langfield.

Seconds later the same pair were battling it out again, this time Pickard’s header from a Harris cross being turned over by the Saints keeper for a corner that Lyle headed wide when it looked easier to score.

Queens made their first change with Ryan Conroy replacing the booked Russell, Kidd picking up a yellow card soon after for a challenge on Cooper as Harris was replaced by Gary Oliver. Queens substitute Oliver was deemed to have been fouled at the edge of the box, giving Queens a free-kick in a great position thatRyan Conroy was then unlucky to see his fine free-kick clip the top of the bar.

Lawrence Shankland – who had been forced to wear a head bandage for much of the game following an early challenge – was then replaced by club captain Steven Thompson.

The striker was soon involved in an attack that saw the ball sit up nicely for Mallan at the edge of the box, his shot being tipped over by Robbie Thomson. Sub Gary Oliver then tested Langfield with a drive from distance that the keeper parried away.

Saints comfortably saw the game out to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

St Mirren: Langfield, Webster (Kelly 22), Mallan, Baird, Watson, Gallagher, Clarkson, Shankland (Thompson 76), Quinn, Irvine, Cooper (Howieson 85).

Subs not used: Gow, Agnew, McAllister, Wilks (GK).

Queen of the South: Thomson, Kidd (Smith 84), Dowie, Brownlie, Harris (Oliver 71), Millar, Lyle, Russell (Conroy 65), Hutton, Pickard, Marshall.

Subs Not Used: Higgins, Jacobs, Murdoch, Atkinson (GK).

Referee: Crawford Allan.