ST MIRREN'S relegation worries deepened on Saturday with a 1-0 home defeat to Dunfermline Athletic.

Here's how we rated the players.

Scott Gallacher 7

Blameless for the goal and made a couple of good saves to keep Saints in with a chance.

Jason Naismith 7

An excellent attacking outlet for St Mirren down the right.

Jack Baird 6

Lost the aerial challenge which led to the Pars goal.

Ben Gordon 6

Didn’t do much wrong on his return to the side.

Gary Irvine 6

Wasn’t asked too many questions. Left Nicky Clark free to defend the goal line for the goal.

Kyle McAllister 7

Continues to thrive despite being thrust into a struggling side. His excellent crosses looked Saints’ most likely route to an equaliser and he gave Pars left-back Jason Talbot problems.

Stevie Mallan 6

A quieter game for the central midfielder, showed flashes of his ability.

Kyle Magennis 6

The youngster did not live up to the high standards he has set since breaking into the team.

Lewis Morgan 7

Improved as the game wore on, his finishing and final ball can at times let down his good work.

David Clarkson 6

Didn’t have a great impact and hooked just after half time.

John Sutton 6

Spurned St Mirren’s best chance in the second half. Sean Murdoch pulled off a great save from his first-half header.

Subs

Lawrence Shankland 6

Once again replaced Clarkson and is must be close to a starting place after Clarkson again failed to impress.

Ryan Hardie 4

Not much of note, seems out of Ross’ plans despite a lack of team goals.

Lewis McLear 3

Given little chance to alter things. Had one shot.

Manager

Jack Ross 5

After the joy of his first win at St Mirren in the IRN-BRU Cup last week, Ross was brought crashing down to earth. St Mirren’s situation now looks bleak but is far from irretrievable.

They are eight points from safety but the chief concern for Ross will be recent results against their closest rivals, games which could’ve gone a long way to pulling Saints clear of danger but have instead plunged them further into crisis.

The pressure appeared to be showing on Ross during his three bust-ups on the sidelines with Pars assistant Sandy Clark. Ross’ demeanour is normally ice cool but James Fowler had to get in between his manager and the far from blameless Clark.

Ross will need some big results before January to keep Saints in the hunt before he can start to reshape the squad.