MAKE IT A DOUBLE

Buddies strike twice to KO Thistle and stay on track for more Hampden glory

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ST MIRREN have stopped punching above their weight in the Premiership this year but retain the knack of the knockout blow.

The cup specialists kept their dreams of double silverware alive by inching past promotion hopefuls Partick Thistle.

Stephen Robinson's men were two up at halftime.

However, that didn't stop the Championship side making the second half a harrowing event for the topflight team.

Mark Wilson's boys threw everything at it before and after a strike of stunning technique from Ben Stanway in 61 minutes.

St Mirren got to this point via a shootout success over Livingston and nervy extra-time defeat of Airdrie.

This at least was a 90-minute job but it was far from straightforward getting to another semifinal at Hampden.

For a team who've repeatedly endured a tortuous time with VAR this season, keeping the technology for this tie seemed an odd choice.

Yet a gift from eagle-eyed Greg Aitken gave them a 33rd-minute lead via the penalty spot from Dan Nlundulu.