THE FLAMES shot into the sunny Paisley sky as St Mirren were presented with the Ladbrokes Championship trophy after a magnificent campaign.

But while he soaked it all up, Jack Ross almost immediately pondered how he is going to replace his brightest spark. Lewis Morgan was in inspired form in what was his final home game for Saints.

Morgan, loaned back after signing for Celtic in January, has been the talismanic creative force of the season and his performance was indicative of that.

He set up the first goal and finished off a clinical counter attack superbly to win the game for the Paisley side and to give the fans what they wanted to cap off a memorable season.

In a pre-arranged move, Ross brought him off ahead of the full-time whistle to earn the rapturous applause of the supporters. Ross said: “I always wanted to allow Lewis to come off near the end to get the adulation of the crowd.

“And his personal contribution made it even more appropriate and reminded me how difficult it’s going to be to replace him. That ovation he received was well deserved for what he has done for the club in my time.

“It was a different feeling last week because it was an outburst of emotion but this was great because there had been a big build up ad a lot on going on and we were able to enjoy the occasion.

“Even the weather was good! Then the fans followed us through the town, so there are many memories that will live long.

“Morton were the only team we hadn’t beaten in the Championship this season. As champions we wanted to have a record that ensures that we had recorded a victory against each team. So that was our motivation.

“I felt we played well considering the occasion. Their attitude towards the game and their performance level was excellent.

“I enjoyed it. It’s been a busy week with commitments but that’s part and parcel of what we have achieved. I was determined to make sure that all the players and staff soaked it all up and I think they did that. They deserve it.”

Morgan played in Danny Mullen to give St Mirren the lead in 10 minutes but Michael Doyle powered a header into the net following a Frank Ross cross to level in 30 minutes.

However, St Mirren won the derby in 73 minutes with a counter attack. Gavin Reilly released Cammy Smith who, in turn, picked out Morgan on the left side of the box and he slid a right foot shot past Brennan. Morgan was booked for goading the Morton fans but it hardly mattered.

Magnanimously, Jim Duffy praised St Mirren for their efforts this season but feels that his own side ought to have been more competitive.

He said: “Congratulations to St Mirren. They have been outstandingly consistent and that’s the big difference. Other teams have good players but to be as consistent as they have been takes a lot of doing.

“I was bitterly disappointed to lose. St Mirren played well in the first 15 minutes and scored and we looked caught up in the game.

“We settled down and scored a terrific goal – and might have scored a few more as we dominated at that point.

“But then we made a horrendous mistake for the second goal and after that you’re chasing the game but I don’t think we deserved to lose.

“We have had inquiries to key players thus season but I still felt we had good enough players to do a bit better.

“I’m not saying we should have won the league but we should have been more consistent.”