JAMES DAYTON was the hero of the hour last night as his debut goal gave St Mirren a precious 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle.
The former Kilmarnock winger, who was signed on loan from Oldham Athletic on Thursday, was only seven minutes into his first game for the Paisley side when his presence was immediately felt at Firhill.
A Stephen Mallan corner was poorly dealt with by Thistle and as the hosts stood idle in the box, Dayton rushed into the area to thump the ball down into the turf and beyond goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.
The goal also triggered an outpouring of emotion from the 26-year-old as he wheeled away behind the goal to celebrate in the snow.
It may yet prove to be a defining moment not only in the Englishman's season but in that of St Mirren too. Having registered six defeats in nine matches under interim manager Gary Teale going into this match, last night's victory represented a significant result for the Paisley side.
As well as bringing a much-needed confidence boost and a valuable three points, it also elevated them out of the SPFL Premiership relegation play-off place and above Motherwell, albeit that may only last until 4.45pm today.
While St Mirren have shown brief flashes of attacking nous and creativity during an otherwise abject season, it was a defensive resolve and will to hang in that earned them only a fifth win of the campaign.
Despite Dayton's debut goal subduing a bumper home crowd within Firhill, the home team still showed enough threat to have levelled and perhaps even to have won the game. However, the visitors were first to every header and every loose ball at Firhill.
After just four minutes Ryan Stevenson, the Thistle captain, sent a snapshot flying into the hands of Mark Ridgers from the edge of the area. The forward would later sclaff a poor shot wide after being teed up by Kallum Higginbotham just at the right of the penalty box.
Stevenson almost turned provider with a cutback after 20 minutes, while full-back Stephen O'Donnell also stung the palm of Ridgers with a shot from 20 yards.
After the break the flow of the ball continued to crash against the St Mirren box. A cute lay-off by Kris Doolan after 53 minutes allowed Higginbotham to sweep a shot at goal, with the ball taking a wicked deflection before being grasped gratefully by Ridgers.
Alan Archibald, the Thistle manager, introduced substitutes Gary Fraser and Declan McDaid to try a different approach and St Mirren were once again forced to defend deep, with a ruck of black and white bodies doing enough to put off Stevenson as he blazed a volley into a different postcode with only 15 minutes left to play.
The visitors continued to ride their luck until the final whistle, content to weather the relentless Thistle storm and protect the advantage earned by Dayton.
In truth, there was no need for them to do anything else. The repeated bombardment of their box was indicative of a lack of creativity and cutting edge among this Thistle side, with little sign of the spark which bought them seven goals in their previous two games.
The defeat leaves the Glasgow side in ninth place, seven points ahead of St Mirren. Yet that will be of little consolation to Archibald on a night of frustration at Firhill.
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