THIS was a result that effectively confirmed St Mirren won’t be involved in a relegation fight this season and Kilmarnock almost certainly will. 

Jim Goodwin’s men have found a streak of consistency when it matters most, easing to a third league victory from four matches to maintain their place in the top half of the table. It would take the mother of all collapses for them to be dragged down the table from this point. 

They were well worthy of their win in what was a scrappy match, Kyle McAllister and Jon Obika scoring in either half. There were other chances, too, while Obika also looked to have a good shout for a penalty shortly before his goal that didn’t interest referee John Beaton.

It was a solid all-round performance, and one that drew praise from their manager whose only gripe was his players’ failure to embroider it with more goals.

“I thought it was our best performance for a number of weeks,” said Goodwin. “We've been very good in halves, but today from the first minute to the last we were at it with everyone on their game.

“My only criticism is that we could have had a couple more goals. We got into some great areas in the first half and were crying out for someone to pull the trigger. We have great quality with guys like McAllister, Jamie McGrath and Ethan Erhahon and we're asking them to take some more chances.

“But overall it was an excellent performance from the goalkeeper all the way through to Obika.”

Kilmarnock, in contrast, look a side bereft of confidence and in real danger of being involved in the unfolding relegation picture.

This was their fifth successive defeat in a performance that would have delivered little in the way of optimism for their supporters watching at home.

Without a manager following the decision to part with Alex Dyer, it was left to head of football operations James Fowler to lead the team for probably the first and only time.

Seasoned Premiership veterans like Tommy Wright and Stephen Robinson are among those under consideration and an appointment ahead of Wednesday’s game with Motherwell looks a distinct possibility. This is a team desperately in need of any kind of lift.

“It is about the new manager finding something different,” said Fowler. “He might have something that works that they have used previously. He will hopefully find something in the group to bring us success.

“Since Alex has left these things take time to get the interviews carried out and then try to get a deal agreed. Interviews have taken place and we are speaking to the candidates to get things.

“We will hopefully have someone in by the time of the Motherwell game. Ideally we would like to have someone in by Monday to take training.”

Kilmarnock’s back three had looked comfortable enough in the opening 37 minutes but when it came to the crunch were found wanting.

They seemed to have sufficient bodies back to deal with Ilkay Durmus’ cross from the left but none took responsibility to clear it, allowing McAllister – all 5ft7 of him – to nod it beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal imbued St Mirren with additional confidence and they continued to beat a path towards the Kilmarnock goal, even if they ought to have done more to trouble Colin Doyle.

They looked to have a decent shout for a penalty when Obika tumbled after a tangle with Alan Power only for the referee to wave away the claims, Goodwin picking up a yellow card for protesting too much.

The home side, though, didn’t have to wait too long for a second goal. Power was again at the heart of it, failing to deal with Richard Tait’s ball into the box.

Obika picked his pocket, seizing upon the gift to slide home his team’s second goal to all but seal the victory. 

It could have been worse for the visitors had Brandon Haunstrup been shown a red card for a heavy challenge on Jake Doyle-Hayes but Beaton decided that one only merited a yellow. 

The SFA compliance officer might yet feel differently but that is the least of Kilmarnock’s worries right now.