St Mirren 2 - 0 Inverness CT: It was impossible to escape the overwhelming sense of nostalgia that enveloped Love Street on Saturday afternoon.

It was impossible to escape the overwhelming sense of nostalgia that enveloped Love Street on Saturday afternoon.

This was, probably, St Mirren's third-last match at the place they have called home for 114 years. And while few will miss the pleasure of peeing against an exposed brick wall with the elements lashing down on top of them, those who have invested heavily, both financially and emotionally, in trips to this famous old stadium have already began to mourn its imminent passing.

That sepia-tinged perspective was heightened by the appearance of around a dozen or so KV Mechelen supporters who had journeyed across the Channel to take in the game. The Belgians had beaten St Mirren on their way to lifting the Cup-winners' Cup in 1988 and the presence of their raucous supporters sparked recollections of a more prosperous era for the Paisley club.

Those currently gracing the black-and-white stripes also did their best to add to the nostalgia trip with the sort of adventurous display regularly seen during Alex Ferguson's tenure as manager in the 1970s. Entering this match with just one win and three goals at home all season, Gus MacPherson's side scored twice and threatened to bag several more as they comfortably collected three points to rise to eighth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table.

There was a fluency about their play that was easy on the eye. Andy Dorman, fast approaching the sort of superlative form that made him a stand-out performer in the second half of last season, scorched past Phil McGuire to score the opener, before Garry Brady crept in at the back post to convert Jim Hamilton's cross for the second early in the second half.

The only criticism of the pleasant Paisley pattern woven by MacPherson's men centred on their continued wastefulness in attack. They created sufficient chances to add another three or four goals and, while the misses mattered little against a toothless Inverness Caledonian Thistle side, they could prove costly against better opposition.

On the rare occasions that Inverness threatened to make a game of it, they were given little encouragement from a St Mirren defence who made up for their lack of finesse with insatiable courage and determination. Among their number was Scott Cuthbert, the on-loan Celtic defender deputising for the injured Will Haining and determined to make the most of his season away from Parkhead.

"I was frustrated coming in and out the team as I wanted to play every game but now I've got a chance to play every week and get my form up," he said. "It's been a frustrating couple of years in the reserves at Celtic so it's good to get out and get some opportunities. If my performances are good here maybe I can go back and stake a claim for a place at Celtic."

Inverness, on the other hand, continue to ride the crest of a slump. They have won just once in their last six games, the dejection of Craig Brewster evident for all to see come full-time. McGuire, making his first appearance for almost two months, did his best to leaven the gloomy impression left by his manager.

"Before the game we were sitting in 10th in the table and there are still 20 games left so there's a long way to go. We have all the teams to play again so I wouldn't push the panic button just yet," he said.