St Mirren 1 Hibernian 0
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
St Mirren 1 Hibernian 0

Sunday 29^th August 2010

Despite a dominant first half showing this afternoon in Paisley, Hibernian slumped to their second defeat of the season with St Mirren securing maximum points following a Craig Dargo goal after the visitors failed to deal with a set-piece.

A couple of well-struck free kicks from Derek Riordan almost handed Hibernian the lead in the latter stages of the first half, but after the break it was a different story as the Easter Road men struggled to make an impact in the final third.

Dargo scored the only goal of the game - ironically with St Mirren's only shot on target during the whole 90 minutes - after Hibernian failed to defend a set piece adequately.

Hibernian made two changes to the side that were defeated by Rangers last weekend with Steven Thicot and Colin Nish replacing Kevin McBride [suspended] and Michael Hart [injured].

The opening chance of the match came after 15 minutes when de Graaf smashed a rasping right shot from 20 yards out just over the crossbar.

Hibernian's best chance of breaking the deadlock appeared to be from the deliveries of Riordan from set pieces and he twice went close to scoring in the first half.

First, he lifted a fantastic free kick over the wall that looked a goal all the way only to find the side netting.

His next effort - again from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area - was arching towards the far bottom corner of the net before being kept out by a fantastic save low to his left by Paul Gallacher.

The home side had been very disappointing as an attacking threat with Hibernian goalkeeper Mark Brown having nothing more difficult than a pass-back to deal with during the first half.

The closest St Mirren came during the opening half was a looping header from McAusland that landed on the roof the net.

Wardlaw was fortunate to stay on the park after a very poor challenge on Bamba that left the defender writhing on the deck.

The red mist appeared to have descended on the St Mirren striker after he came off second best in a challenge with Thicot.

Against the run of play however St Mirren opened the scoring when Wardlaw headed down a deep cross for Dargo to slot away from close range.

St Mirren went close to doubling their advantage from Brady's free kick but McGregor was unable to guide his header on target.

The expected push for an equaliser failed to materialise and St Mirren comfortably held out to pick up the three points.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Brady, Mair, Potter, Murray, Dargo (Lynch 67'), McGregor, Travner, McAusland (Van Zanten 88'), Wardlaw, McGowan.Subs: Samson, Robb, Van Zanten, Lynch, Love, McLennan McKernon.

Hibernian: Brown, Hogg, Thicot (Rankin 68'), Bamba, Hanlon (Galbraith 58'), Wotherspoon, Riordan (Murray 68'), Miller, de Graaf, Stokes, Nish.Subs: Smith, Murray, Rankin, Stephens, Stevenson, Galbraith, Currie.

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly.

Attendance: 4,480