St Mirren twice gave up the lead and conceded a late goal to lose 4-3 at Dunfermline Athletic in Saturday's pulsating encounter.

Despite suffering another defeat which leaves Saints bottom of the SPFL Championsip there was some improved individual performances, here is our man by man ratings.

12. Scott Gallacher.........................6

Could do little for all four goals and otherwise made a couple of decent stops.

2. Jason Naismith...........................7

An improvement from recent weeks, use of the ball was better and got forward to good effect.

15. Jack Baird..................................5

Shaky at times in the first half when Dunfermline put pressure on. Let Nicky Clark run free for Dunfermline’s third goal.

6. Gary MacKenzie.........................5

Went off injured just before half-time. Will be a miss if he’s out for any length of time as he has been a steadying influence in a problem area of the pitch for Saints.

3. Gary Irvine...................................6

Another solid display from the full back.

8. Rocco Quinn................................5

Made his long awaited return to the side after injury but struggled to impose himself on the game.

10. Stevie Mallan...........................7

Was played further up the pitch which suits him. Did his best to create and set up Hardie’s goal with a back heel.

14. Kyle Hutton...............................4

A difficult day for the midfielder who struggled to halt the Pars’ influence in the middle of the park. Use of the ball was poor and made a bizarre pass back to Gallacher in the dying minutes which led to the winner.

17. Lewis Morgan...........................6

Didn’t have his usual influence on the game but set up Sutton’s first goal.

20. Ryan Hardie..............................7

Put in a good shift on the right wing. Set up Sutton’s second and scored a spectacular goal of his own.

9. John Sutton.................................8

Probably his best game of the season. Scored two goals, led from the front well and link up play was excellent.

Subs

4. Andy Webster.............................5

Brought on after 40 minutes for the injured MacKenzie. Unlucky to score an own goal when the ball bounced off him at pace.

16. Tom Walsh................................3

Didn’t have time to make an impact.

Manager

Allan McManus...............................7

Brought in under difficult circumstances and with only a week to work with the players there was some positive signs.

His switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation worked in the main. The team kept fighting despite several setbacks, the type of which has caused them to capitulate at different times earlier in the season.

Individual mistakes plagued Saints during Alex Rae’s tenure this season and that worrying trend continued on Saturday with two of the goals being easily preventable as the Buddies gave up the lead twice and then surrendered a point late on.