ST MIRREN suffered a dismal derby day as they slumped to a 4-1 loss to Morton at Cappielow on Saturday.

Michael Tidser slotted home two penalty kicks to add to Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch strikes, cancelling out Cammy Smith’s wonderful consolation strike just before half-time.

Saints defender Jack Baird conceded both penalties and was shown a straight red card for a foul on McHugh inside the area early in the second half.

St Mirren boss Jack Ross decided to stick with the same starting 11 that began their season with a 3-1 win over Falkirk in Paisley last week. New signing Darryl Duffy, who joined the Buddies during the week from Indian outfit Mohun Bagan, was fit enough to make the bench.

Ton hit the front after 25 minutes. A long clearance found Jai Quitongo, the striker continued his run in behind Baird. Quitongo got his initial shot away but appeared to be shoved over by the defender - and referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot

Tidser stepped up and confidently converted. passed the ball beyond Samson - sending the keeper the wrong way for 1-0.

But Saints levelled with a stunning strike five minutes before half-time. Smith waltzed through the home defence and unleashed an unstoppable strike high into the top right-hand corner of Gaston’s net.

The second half was barely five minutes old when Morton nicked the lead again, with another Tidser penalty.

Quitongo played Bob McHugh through, he somehow managed to nick the ball just in front of Baird to go one-on-one with Craig Samson.

The forward was barged into by the defender inside the box, and again Collum whistled for the penalty - sending Baird for an early shower with a straight red card.

Tidser made no mistake from 12 yards for the second time of the afternoon and it was 2-1 Morton.

Morton fired in their third after 72 minutes. Quitongo - who had been a nightmare all afternoon for Saints defenders - bombed down the right-hand side, out-muscling his markers to fly into the box. He eventually cut the ball back for McHugh and the former Falkirk man slid the ball past Samson.

Five minutes later Murdoch struck to confirm a miserable day for Saints.