The final match of the season ended up reflecting the respective campaigns of the two teams.

St Mirren enjoyed a moment of triumph, after impressing by persevering with their style and belief, while Kilmarnock endured a trying and eventually disappointing occasion.

By the time the home fans were making their way out of Rugby Park, the St Mirren supporters had sung a chant for just about everybody connected with the Scottish Communities League Cup-winning side, chairman Stewart Gilmour included. They could relish this moment because it ended a run of poor form and allowed the campaign to end on a more optimistic note.

There might have been indications of the upheavals to come when some players threw their jerseys into the crowd after the final whistle. Among them was Paul McGowan, who is out of contract in the summer and hasn't signed the new deal offered.

"It's still in the balance," said manager Danny Lennon. "He knows where we stand and I know what his intentions are. We're looking forward to the rest, it's been a long season, but we've learned a great deal about ourselves. We'll come back refreshed."

Other deals have already been completed, though. Cammy Bell will leave Rugby Park as a free agent and sign for Rangers on September 1, although his last performance – in front of Jim Stewart, the Ibrox goalkeeping coach – was far from flawless. Craig Samson was also playing his final game in goal for St Mirren before returning to Kilmarnock, his first senior club, on a two-year deal, which has an option for a further year.

"I was just a boy when I left," Samson said. "I'm glad I went away, it taught me a lot of different things about myself and I'm coming back a better and more experienced goalkeeper. I'm disappointed to be leaving St Mirren, I'll never forget this season, but I'm delighted to be joining Kilmarnock. It's my home town and I still live here."

The game was featureless for long spells, but some of the incidents were eye-catching when they arrived. John McGinn's volley for the opening goal, from Conor Newton's cross, was technically deft and well controlled. The lead only last for five minutes, though, with Bojan Perez sending Kris Boyd haring through on goal and the striker reached the ball ahead of Samson before clinically driving home the finish.

Boyd will mull over a contract offer from Kilmarnock, and may yet decide to remain at the club. The finish was a reminder of the devastating goalscorer he still is.

Kilmarnock are intent on securing a solid future, and at the end of the game, 10 of their 11 players were products of the youth set-up, albeit Boyd has spent time away from the club since first emerging. Hope gathers around the likes of Chris Johnston, the young winger, Ross Davidson in midfield, and the two teenage centre-backs, Mark O'Hara and Lee Ashcroft.

The latter was impetuous, though, as he brought down Anton Brady in the second half, conceding the penalty that McGowan scored to put St Mirren in front. There was further poor defending as Newton made room for a shot inside the area with two minutes left, then a weak, and futile, attempt to save his effort from Bell.

"Most of the players in the team are still cleaning other players' boots," said Kenny Shiels. On a personal note, the manager added he hopes to still be around for Kilmarnock's 150th anniversary celebrations. That will be in six years' time. In the meantime, both of these clubs have promise to build on.