St Mirren up to third after Killian Phillips strike downs Dundee

Killian Phillips netted his first William Hill Premiership goal of the season as St Mirren beat Dundee 1-0 to move up to third place.

The Irishman swooped in the 39th minute to continue the Paisley side’s impressive early-season form.

Manager Stephen Robinson had pledged his squad would park the club’s delight at reaching the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals last week.

And this typically committed and effective Saints display saw his players come good on that promise.

Robinson’s side have only been beaten by Celtic in their last 18 matches, in a run stretching back to April.

Dundee – minus ill skipper Simon Murray, who was sorely missed – were first to go close.

Shamal George was smartly to his front post to divert Drey Wright’s first-time drive for a corner.

St Mirren were without Keanu Baccus and Mark O’Hara in the middle of the park and took time to settle.

But once their handful of a two-man strikeforce – Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron – got on the ball their threat increased significantly.

Jon McCracken denied Alex Gogic and Ayunga before Roland Idowu’s effort whistled inches wide.

The pressure culminated in the opening goal six minutes from the interval.

Mandron collected from Idowu on the left side of the penalty area and drove a dangerous ball across goal.

Typically alert and hungry, Phillips pounced to convert from six yards.

It was the 23-year-old’s fifth goal of the season, with the other four coming in the Premier Sports Cup group stages.

Saints remained the most likely to add to the scoring after the interval.

Imari Samuels made a crucial goal-line intervention to stop Declan John tapping in.

Dundee did craft a big chance for Ashley Hay, with Drey Wright delivering a delightful ball from the right flank.

The former Brentford forward’s flicked header lacked conviction.

Emile Acquah was introduced to increase the physical presence and Tony Yogane was a threat on the left flank.

However, St Mirren’s back three of Richard King, Alex Gogic and Miguel Freckleton were superb.

And wide man Idowu’s new-found workrate was a noteworthy addition to Saints’ armoury.

Despite Dundee pressing for a leveller, their set piece threat was particularly poor.

That is not a department to come up short in when facing such a well-drilled outfit as Robinson’s team.

Saints should have doubled their margin of victory in stoppage time when, on the counter attack, Conor McMenamin’s backheel paved the way for Phillips to go close to a brace.