Marcus Fraser’s close-range volley kept St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership as the Buddies beat Partick Thistle 1-0 in the play-off final.
The defender netted from a set-piece 20 minutes into the second half to seal a 2-1 aggregate win and extend the Paisley side’s eight-year stay in the top flight.
Thistle enjoyed the better chances in the first half and pushed for an equaliser, but Saints goalkeeper Ross Sinclair made a breathtaking stop from Logan Chalmers’ powerful free-kick.
Fraser celebrates his winner
Sinclair and Fraser proved unlikely saviours for the Buddies. The goalkeeper arrived on loan from St Johnstone last month following injuries to Shamal George and Ryan Mullen, while Fraser had been ruled out for the season after a shoulder injury before making himself available for the run-in against medical advice.
Championship runners-up Thistle must regroup following a fifth consecutive failed attempt to earn promotion through the play-offs and their second final defeat in that run.
More to follow…
