Saints 1 Hamilton 0
An awful football match on an awful night in Paisley as winter swept in and Saints entertained the anti-christ of entertaining football in Hamilton Accies.
This League Cup 3rd round tie was bereft of much in the way of excitement or fluid football as Accies camped deep inside their own half and doggedly defended their goal, much like Ayr Utd did to good effect in the same competition last season.
Thankfully there was to be no repeat of that shock exit as Lee Mair pounced with a late, late goal to scrape the unconvincing Saints into the last eight.
Boss Danny Lennon made a few changes from the team that had lost at Kilmarnock, with Graham Carey, Sam Parkin and Dougie Imrie all recalled to the side at the expense of David Van Zanten, Gary Teale and surprisingly Steven Thompson.
Kenny McLean went close for Saints in the opening minute with a drive that flashed past the post but little were we to know at that stage that this was as good as it was going to get in a frankly awful first half.
This League Cup 3rd round tie was bereft of much in the way of excitement or fluid football as Accies camped deep inside their own half and doggedly defended their goal, much like Ayr Utd did to good effect in the same competition last season.
Thankfully there was to be no repeat of that shock exit as Lee Mair pounced with a late, late goal to scrape the unconvincing Saints into the last eight.
Boss Danny Lennon made a few changes from the team that had lost at Kilmarnock, with Graham Carey, Sam Parkin and Dougie Imrie all recalled to the side at the expense of David Van Zanten, Gary Teale and surprisingly Steven Thompson.
Kenny McLean went close for Saints in the opening minute with a drive that flashed past the post but little were we to know at that stage that this was as good as it was going to get in a frankly awful first half.
The 3-5-2 shape looked offensive but it still struggled to break down a resolute Accies side who could and probably should have opened the scoringmid way through the first half as a rare break forward saw them easily prise open the Saints back three but thankfully the finish was poor and the chance was gone.
Danny had seen enough after half an hour and hooked Lewis Guy for Steven Thompson but the two big strikers struggled to get much joy from the visiting defence whilst service to them was patchy at best.
The second half saw Van Zanten come on at half time and Saints certainly appeared to settle a bit better in the second period with Kevin Cuthbert saving well from Lee Mair and Graham Carey.
Mair was probably pick of the bunch on a dismal night and he wasn't to be denied a rare goal as he stooped to power in an injury time winner from a Carey corner and send the fans home happy at least to be in the last eight and happy also to not have to endure another 30 minutes of football on a night when those that stayed at home most certainly made the right decision.
Onwards and upwards and a quarter final tie awaits, it can only get better.