ST MIRREN took a giant stride towards securing their Championship status with a resounding 6-2 win over relegation rivals Ayr United on Saturday.

Here's how the players rated from Saints' biggest win of the season.

Billy O’Brien (6): Flapped at a couple of crosses but could do little for either goal.

Stelios (8): A terrific attacking showing from the full back. Set up the third goal and used the ball intelligently throughout.

Gary MacKenzie (7): A solid display from the centre back. As ever a threat from set pieces and scored with an excellent header.

Jack Baird (7): Strolled through the game and kept things simple.

Adam Eckersley (7): Another who was not tested defensively and coasted through his afternoon’s work.

Kyle Magennis (8): A terrific finish from the youngster for the fourth goal. Gave the Ayr defenders plenty to think about with his running power.

Stephen McGinn (8) Bossed the midfield alongside Stevie Mallan. Ayr’s midfield couldn’t get near the Saints pair.

Stevie Mallan (9): A midfield masterclass from Mallan. His first-half display was as good as any individual performance for St Mirren this season. Scored a terrific goal, set up one with a good free-kick delivery and dictacted Saints' play brilliantly throughout.

Lewis Morgan (8): An expert finish for his goal and enjoyed himself throughout the game as Ayr struggled to cope with his pace and direct running. Injured in the second half which will be a worry for Jack Ross.

Cammy Smith (8): Made his return after being cup-tied for the Irn-Bru Cup final. Scored his first St Mirren goal and showed how badly Saints could have done with him against Dundee United.

Rory Loy (8): Really starting to show the ability that made him such an exciting January signing. Didn’t score but his link up play was sharp and he set up Morgan’s goal with a great through ball.

Subs

John Sutton (6): The big striker headed against the post after coming on in the lead up to Smith’s goal.

Josh Todd (6): Showed good intent in his short time on the pitch. Great play set up Smith's goal.

Andy Webster (5) Brought on to protect the booked Gary MacKenzie.

Manager

Jack Ross (8) Arguably the best performance of Ross’ time at St Mirren, from an attacking perspective it’s hard to think of any that could come close. Saints were hungry, vibrant and clinical in taking their chances, they might’ve racked up double figures such was the ease with which they cut Ayr open.

To deliver that performance at any stage will please Ross, but this young Saints side have delivered it when the pressure was cranked up to the maximum against a relegation rival. If they can replicate that during the last six games there is no doubt they will stave off what looked like it could be an inevitable relegation a few months back.

The second-half injury to Lewis Morgan will concern the manager. It is not yet known if the winger will feature again this season. Morgan is the only natural winger in Ross' squad so he may be forced into tactical changes in a midfield area which had been working well.