FOOTBALL: BUDDIES' HELL AS THEY LOSE SURVIVAL SCRAP; ST MIRREN 2

LOVE Street resembled a field of broken dreams at the end of yesterday's encounter between St Mirren and Aberdeen in the Paisley sunshine.

Despite battling their way to a superb victory over the Dons, the Saints players were left stunned at half time with the news that relegation rivals Dundee United had beaten St Johnstone, a result which condemns the Buddies to Division One next season.

The Saints players were understandably cagey in the opening stages, but the crowd came to life when news of United falling behind filtered through.

Unfortunately they fell behind themselves in the 14th minute when the Dons scored with their first attack of the game.

Yardley lost possession near half way, giving Darren Mackie the chance to release Derek Young who ran 40 yards before clipping the ball beyond Saints keeper Ludovic Roy.

St Mirren seemed to lose their concentration and the silence in the ground was deafening when Robbie Winters flicked home a Mackie cross in the 21st minute.

Fortunately for the home side, Winters effort was ruled off-side by the stand side linesman.

The Paisley side stormed back into contention with a brilliant double strike as half time approached.

Firstly Walker drove home from close range in the 42nd minute following a clever knockdown from Yardley then Steven McGarry sent Love Street crazy in first half injury time, firing into the empty net after Esson parried the shot from McPhee.

Inspired by the news that Dundee United were two goals down at Perth, Saints began the second half positively.

Aberdeen were reduced to 10 men late on when Thomas Solberg was red-carded for a professional foul on Maikal Renfurm.

But St Mirren's hearts were broken when news of United's re

markable fight back came through. MAN OF THE MATCH:Stephen McPhee. Always lively. ST MIRREN: Roy 6, Baltacha 5 (Rudden 6), Bowman 6, Turner 7, McGowan 7, Walker 7, McKenzie 6, Fenton 5 (Nicolson 6), McGarry 7 (Renfurm 5), MCPHEE 8, Burnley 7. ABERDEEN:Esson 6, Whyte 6, Guntveit 6, Solberg 5, McAllister 6 (McGuire 5), Winters 6 (Clark 5), Stavrum 6, Darren Young 7, Derek Young 7 (Bett 5), Mackie 8, McNaughton 5. MANAGERS: Hendrie 7; Skovdahl 6. REFEREE: K Clark 7.

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