The 30-year-old striker, has spent the last 14 years at Pittodrie, but has been little more than a bit-part player this season. He is, nevertheless, convinced that he and Vernon can still provide the goals that have been missing from his and his team's league performances, thus far.

Mackie was introduced as a substitute in the goalless home draw with St Johnstone last week and believes he did enough to merit a starting place today despite his only goals this season coming in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

"Scott Vernon is doing well and he's in to double figures for the season," said Mackie. "But I feel that if I had been given a chance I would be close to that as well. It's all the more frustrating because the team's not scoring but we are defending better and not conceding the sort of goals we were early in the season. We are keeping a lot of clean sheets but we have only scored four goals in our last seven league games.

"I would love to be given the chance because I have no doubt that I would get goals if I got the opportunity. Some people say a fresh start would do me good, but I love being at Pittodrie."

Aberdeen's lack of goals have contributed to a slew of draws – four of their last five league games have ended in parity – and that might just offer St Mirren, whom they have failed to beat this season, grounds for optimism.

But they have had their own problems with draws this season and have actually recorded one more than their visitors today with 11 to date. Such inconsistent form has left the two sides separated by barely a fag paper as the season enters a critical phase.

"It is a massive game against St Mirren, as the games are running out before the split and we can't afford to lose ground," added Mackie. "The game down there at the start of the season was probably our worst performance in the league so far. I played in that and I think that everyone had an off day so we need to make sure that doesn't happen again as we need the win."

The significance of finishing in the top six has been spelled out in recent days with the extent of Rangers financial difficulties indicating they will struggle to gain a licence to play in European competition next season. Failure to secure that licence would open another place for a team further down the table. With five Scottish clubs in Europe next term, all of the other top-six teams could automatically qualify, depending on the make-up of the Scottish Cup final.

David Barron, the St Mirren full-back, said: "Everyone in the dressing room is adamant that we want a place in the top six, you want to be playing against the big teams in the league and it also means that we are competing at the right end after battling at the bottom in recent years."

Darren McGregor, meanwhile, has signed a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old has committed himself to St Mirren until 2014 as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury.