Fraser volley secures St Mirren's Premiership status as Partick miss out again

St Mirren secured Premiership survival as Marcus Fraser’s volley sunk Partick Thistle, while the visitors suffered another painful play-off defeat.

Marcus Fraser’s superb volley sealed St Mirren’s status in the Premiership as they edged past Partick Thistle in a tense play-off final second leg in Paisley.

After a 1-1 draw at Firhill last week, the pressure was obvious from the start, with the home side looking nervous and struggling to create clear chances in a cagey first half.

St Mirren improved after the break and took control of the tie when Fraser arrived at the back post to convert Mark O’Hara’s free-kick. There was a brief wait while the officials checked for offside, but the goal stood and sparked huge relief among the home support.

Thistle had chances before and after Fraser’s goal, but stand-in goalkeeper Ross Sinclair produced key saves to keep St Mirren in front. He stopped Alex Samuel after a sharp turn and shot, before tipping Logan Chalmers’ powerful free-kick over the bar.

Mark Wilson’s side kept asking questions right until the end, but St Mirren stood firm to preserve the clean sheet and could even have added a second late on when Dan Nlundulu’s goal-bound effort was blocked.

After a disappointing end to the regular season, St Mirren finished on a high, with the full-time whistle bringing obvious relief. Their survival means this campaign will be remembered more for December’s League Cup triumph over Celtic than for their indifferent league form.

For Thistle, the agony continues. They have now failed in the play-offs five seasons in a row and are still waiting for a return to the Premiership, where they last played in 2018.

After the match, St Mirren interim boss Craig McLeish said: “I’m delighted for the players and the fans. The remit when I took over the role was to stay in the league.

“We wanted to make sure the players were remembered as legends at this club after winning the League Cup. We didn’t want that black mark against our name.

“First half was nervy, cagey and full of mistakes. It wasn’t really tactical, just us controlling our emotions. We did that better in the second half.

“Our bench was a strength. When Partick started to tire we brought on fresh legs, who saw us over the line.”

Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson said: “It’s really raw. What we put in tonight, both legs, the full season, and it ends just like that.

“There’s been a real connection with the fanbase, you see the ovation they get at the end. I couldn’t be prouder. I think it’s the best group I’ve ever been involved in.

“I was pretty relaxed coming into the game. We just weren’t clinical enough. We dealt with [set-pieces] so well apart from [the winning goal].

“That’s the fine margins that can cost you. Football’s cruel. We have to go again.”