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St Mirren moved out of the play-off spot and up to ninth place in the Premiership by beating Kilmarnock.

There was little excitement until Paul McGowan had a shot well saved by Craig Samson early in the second half.

Marian Kello saved well from Killie's Robbie Muirhead with the scores blank and Kris Boyd later hit the post.

Conor Newton made the breakthrough when he smashed in a shot from 16 yards and Gregg Wylde finished a good run with a nice finish to wrap up the points.

The win puts Saints level with Kilmarnock in the table and only one point covers the four clubs above stranded basement side Hearts.

Despite a bright opening it took until 18 minutes for the first real chance. Making his home debut following his loan move from Aberdeen, Josh Magennis collected the ball at the edge of the box but his shot was deflected just wide of the post.

And on the 33rd minute Kenny McLean fired in a free-kick from 20 yards that whistled just wide of the Kilmarnock post.

Before the interval there was a Kilmarnock penalty appeal following a good run from winger Chris Johnston. The loose ball appeared to strike McLean's hand and the Killie fans roared in appeal but referee Crawford Allan allowed play to continue.

Danny Lennon's side upped the ante after the interval and a low shot from McGowan was touched wide by Samson.

It sparked a flurry of St Mirren pressure and a great run from John McGinn along the byline caused chaos. His cutback appeared to strike a Kilmarnock defender but Samson was there to smother the ball on the line.

Kello then produced a stunning diving save to deny Muirhead after the visiting substitute tried to curl a shot into the top corner.

The game was opening up and the promise of a goal seemed ever closer as Kilmarnock forward Lee Ashcroft sent a header from a Chris Johnston just over the crossbar.

Kilmarnock top-scorer Boyd then fluffed a chance when he was set up by David Moberg Karlsson, the Scotland striker swiping fresh air rather than the ball.

Following that reprieve, St Mirren moved into the lead as Newton crashed in a shot to send the home crowd wild following a swift counter-attack.

Kilmarnock responded as Boyd was set loose in the Saints penalty box but his shot came back off the post.

And St Mirren sealed the victory in style with substitute Wylde showing great pace and producing a fantastic strike which nestled just inside the post to secure an important three points for the home team.