ON Halloween weekend there is plenty to frighten St Mirren fans when they look at the league table after yet another defeat, this time a 2-0 loss to Hibs at Easter Road.

Saints remain at death’s door in bottom spot of the SPFL Championship without a win in 10 games. However there was some encouraging signs in Jack Ross’ second game in charge. The Buddies created chances in the first half and didn’t give up the ghost in the second despite an obvious gulf in class between the teams, but they had goalkeeper Jamie Langfield to thank for keeping the score down.

Fortunately for Ross, Hibs are not the yardstick upon which his team will be judged and Tuesday night’s clash with Morton at Cappielow and Saturday’s visit of fellow strugglers Dumbarton will be farer barometers with which to gauge his impact on the team since taking over.

Ross made three changes to the Saints lineup with David Clarkson, Lawrence Shankland and Ben Gordon replacing John Sutton and injured duo Rocco Quinn and Gary MacKenzie.

The Buddies set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Jack Baird, Gary Irvine and Gordon the back three, Jason Naismith and Lewis Morgan playing wide, a central midfield of Kyle Hutton and Stevie Mallan with Clarkson ahead of them. Shankland partnered Ryan Hardie up front.

Saints started on the front foot and should've been in front inside two minutes. Clarkson set Morgan free down the left with a well weighted pass, the Hibs defence couldn't catch the pacy winger but one on one with Ofir Marciano he dragged his shot narrowly wide.

The Paisley side were soon made to pay for that miss. After eight minutes some slack play in midfield gave up possession to Andrew Shinne, the former Birmingham City man weighted a delightful through pass for Martin Boyle who got free down the side of Gordon. Boyle kept his cool to dink the ball over the on rushing Langfield and put the Hibees in front.

Saints responded and soon went close to levelling the tie. From a Mallan corner Shankland headed for goal, Hardie tried to divert it goal ward but his flicked header was blocked before Clarkson lashed the rebound wide.

Boyle then brough out a smart save from Langfield as his 22 yard strike was turned around the post.

Just after the half hour Shinnie and the impressive Boyle linked up once again. Shinne played an almost identical through ball to the first goal but this time Langfield was out quickly and blocked Boyle's effort.

But Hibs wouldn't have to wait long to double their lead. Irvine held up another Boyle run, the forward played the ball to his strike partner Grant Holt on the edge of the area, the former Norwich City man's first effort was blocked by Baird but the rebound fell kindly for him and he volley into the corner from 20 yards.

Ross brought on academy prospect Kyle Magennis at half time in place of Hardie. The youngster went into central midfield with Clarkson joining Shankland up front.

In the second half the home side seemed content to play out the game in second gear. The onus was on Saints to take the initiative but they couldn't find any fluency as their passing deserted them.

Hibs passed up a glorious chance to make it three in the 74th minute. A cross from the left was contested by Holt and Irvine in the six yard box, both hit the deck and Irvine was adjudged to have pulled the striker down, referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot. Holt took it himself but Langfield guessed correctly and made a good save down low to his left.

Langfield made another smart stop soon after from another one on one, this time Shinnie was denied.

St Mirren are one of only three teams in British league football still without a league victory this season along with Sunderland and Edinburgh City.

Hibernian: Marciano, Hanlon, Fontaine, McGregor, Gray, Stevenson, McGinn (Bartley, 75), Fyvie, Boyle (Harris, 90) Sinnie, Holt (Graham, 83) Subs not used: Laidlaw, Forster, Cummings, Martin.

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Gordon, Baird, Irvine, Hutton, Mallan, Clarkson (Sutton, 63), Hardie (Magennis, 45), Morgan, Shankland (Gallagher, 75).

Subs not used: Gallacher, Gallagher, Walsh, McLear, Whyte.