St Mirren 1-2 Hibernian

Leigh Griffiths gave Hibernian their first win of the season as St Mirren endured a frustrating afternoon in the Paisley sunshine.

The striker's double delighted the visiting support as the hosts were made to regret a first-half penalty miss by Paul McGowan after Griffiths' opener.

Steven Thompson pulled one back but the Buddies could not avoid their first defeat of the campaign.

And an injury to Darren McGregor compounded St Mirren's misery.

Hibs and Griffiths, meanwhile, built on last week's battling performance in the 1-1 draw with Edinburgh rivals Hearts.

After a scrappy start from both sides, Griffiths received David Wotherspoon's crossfield pass, took on McGregor and arrowed a low shot into the left-hand corner of Craig Samson's net on the quarter-hour mark.

Griffiths was tormenting the hosts and could have added to his tally after turning inside Lee Mair, the on-loan Wolves forward smacking a shot into the side netting.

St Mirren needed a creative spark but Dougie Imrie and Paul McGowan were struggling to get on the ball.

And Kenny McLean's attempt to replicate last week's spectacular strike against Dundee was blocked by the Hibs defence.

But the Buddies were then awarded a penalty as James McPake was adjudged to have handled while jumping for a high ball with Sam Parkin.

McGowan stepped up to take but his shot low to the right was palmed away by Ben Williams before Hibs scrambled clear.

Hibs finished the first half strongly with Eoin Doyle's downward header kept out by Samson before the forward nodded over at the end of a sweeping passing move moments later.

Parkin headed over for the home side just before the interval and Lennon sought a change in fortunes with a double substitution at the break, Jim Goodwin and Graham Carey making way for Jon Robertson and Gary Teale.

A shot on the turn by McGowan swerved away from the far post and gave the St Mirren fans some encouragement but there was soon concern as McGregor lay injured on the turf after a goal-mouth collision.

The defender was applauded off the park on a stretcher as David Barron came on from the bench.

Hibs then doubled their lead as Doyle meandered his way across the box and touched the ball through to Griffiths, who was clinical on the turn.

St Mirren responded quickly though with Thompson converting Imrie's low drive across the six-yard box.

And Thompson was denied a leveller when Williams stood up well to block the striker's half-volley.

A free-kick gave Griffiths the chance to complete his hat-trick but the striker's curling shot clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Shefki Kuqi was given his Hibs debut as a replacement for Doyle, with the travelling support giving the Finnish forward a warm welcome and Griffiths also received a loud cheer as he made way for Ross Caldwell moments later.

The announcement of six minutes of added time gave the St Mirren fans a second wind as they willed their players on in search of an equaliser.

But Hibs survived the late rally to claim all three points.

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