Mikael Mandron goal earns St Mirren narrow win over Aberdeen

St Mirren kept their European hopes alive as Mikael Mandron’s composed finish earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aberdeen at the SMISA Stadium.

The striker, who signed a new contract this week, controlled Mark O’Hara cross on his chest and rifled home the game’s only goal after an hour.

Aberdeen started well and Jeppe Okkels had a goal ruled out by VAR, but they faded in the second half as they fell to a first defeat in nine games.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson made just one change from the side which drew with Rangers last weekend, with Oisin Smyth replacing Caolan Boyd-Munce in midfield.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin made two alterations to the team which beat Hibs last time out, with Pape Gueye and Richard Jensen dropping out to be replaced by Nicky Devlin and Okkels.

It was the Dons who started quicker and Ante Palaversa had the first chance after five minutes as he met Leighton Clarkson’s deep corner with a header at the far post, but his effort was blocked.

Clarkson then went close two minutes later, firing into the side netting from the edge of the area after St Mirren failed to properly clear another corner.

Aberdeen thought they had taken the lead midway through the half when Okkels acrobatically volleyed in Clarkson’s cross at the far post.

However, the cross had deflected off the arm of Kevin Nisbet and referee Ross Hardie decided to disallow the goal after being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR.

The reprieve appeared to shake the slow-starting Saints into life and Jonah Ayunga curled just wide from 20 yards in the 30th minute as they eventually had their first chance of note.

The next opportunity came a minute later as the ball dropped to Mark O’Hara, who fired in a low effort from eight yards that was well saved by Dimitar Mitov.

St Mirren were inches away from taking the lead just before half-time as Ryan Alebiosu’s low cross was deflected just wide by Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington.

Saints got their noses in front just before the hour mark as Mandron showed superb composure to control O’Hara’s outswinging free-kick on his chest before volleying low past Mitov with his left foot.

Substitute Jamie McGrath came close to an equaliser in the 69th minute when his goal-bound inswinging cross had to be clawed away by Saints goalkeeper Zach Hemming.

Aberdeen ended the game with four strikers on the pitch as Gueye, Oday Dabbagh and Fletcher Boyd joined Nisbet as they searched for the leveller in the closing stages.

However, despite a number of late balls into the box, the Dons could not create any clear-cut chances as they slipped towards a first loss since February.

St Mirren could have extended their lead deep into stoppage time as substitute James Scott saw his goalbound shot blocked, but a single goal was enough for Robinson’s side.

The win moved them to within five points of fifth-placed Dundee United in the last remaining European spot.