ST MIRREN'S renaissance reached another significant milestone as they climbed to the summit of the table nine months after sitting rock bottom.
As the sun scorched on the Paisley 2021 Stadium, the Paisley side produced a performance to match with goals from Cammy Smith and Ian McShane eventually seeing off the Highlanders who had drawn level twice.
Now manager Jack Ross has called for his side to show they can remain in pole position for the rest of the campaign.
He said: “It’s nice to be at the top because it’s a long time since the club has been there so our aim is to stay there as long as we can and be there at the end of the season. It’s been a big turnaround and the players deserve a lot of credit for that. Last season they had to deal with a real challenge mentally and I think they are better players for it.
“Now they are enjoying their football and the atmosphere around our ground is very different so there is a lot to be positive about. It was great to see the goals spread around the team and the quality of goals we are scoring is terrific.”
There was an element of fortune in the opening goal as Lewis Morgan’s shot in 31 minutes deflected off Brad McKay to wrong-foot Mark Ridgers.
John Baird, who had carelessly strayed offside in two minutes when converting Riccardo Calder’s cross, levelled in 61 minutes, collecting Connor Bell’s pass to shoot past Craig Samson.
Saints were in front again in 64 minutes when Gavin Reilly forced the ball over the line after Caley failed to deal with Gregor Buchanan’s header.
However, back came ICT who equalised again in 69 minutes. Assistant ref Mark McHendry lifted his flag as Polworth raced through then put it down again and Polworth danced past Samson to fire into the net.
Then St Mirren smashed in two great goals in two minutes to claim the win.
Cammy Smith reacted quickest after Gary Warren blocked Reilly to shoot home in 73 minutes.
Then in 75 minutes former Ross n midfielder McShane blasted the fourth when Smith teed him up on the edge of the box.
It was frustrating day for ICT manager John Robertson. He said: “We should have been 1-0 up early on but John Baird was too eager. St Mirren scored with their first attack really and it was a deflection so I told the lads at half-time to keep doing what they’re doing and the rewards would come,
“We missed three great chances but then we got our goal only to lose another sloppy goal. When Liam got us level again and I thought we would go on and win it. So to lose such a poor third goal was really disappointing. Our two centre halves were bullied off the ball.
“The fourth goal was just a magnificent strike but we should never have been in that position. I feel as if we could have won the game 4-2, but the encouraging aspect is that we are slowly turning into a team that is understanding what we are looking for. The thing is you have to be clinical at both ends of the park and we were not like that at the back.”
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