Dumbarton 0-2 St Mirren

Gavin Reilly heads in the opening goal for St Mirren

St Mirren extended their lead at the top of the Championship to three points with goals in each half earning a hard fought victory at Dumbarton.

Ross Stewart and Stephen McGinn both had efforts cleared off the line for the visitors in the first five minutes.

Their dominance continued and Gavin Reilly gave the Buddies the lead with his 10th goal of the season.

Substitute John Sutton headed in a second for a rare St Mirren win at the Rock.

It was a deserved victory for the Paisley side, who played some really good football, with inventive corner routines and superb distribution from keeper Craig Samson ensuring that the Dumbarton defence were under pressure from all sides.

However, the home side were far from out of it with Dimitrios Froxylias dangerous and he had two great efforts which might have opened the scoring after driving in from the right and curling left-foot shots just past the post.

But St Mirren's dominance finally paid off when Adam Eckersley's cross from the left was headed past Scott Gallacher by Reilly.

Dumbarton started the second period strongly with both Tom Walsh and Mark Stewart coming close to equalising with good chances, before St Mirren's Championship player of the month Lewis Morgan produced a 30-yard effort which brought a terrific save from Gallacher.

Jack Ross then changed things for St Mirren with Sutton replacing Ross Stewart and the big striker was in the right place at the right time to jump above everybody and head his second goal of the season to settle the game.

Another important win for the league leaders, which puts them in a good place ahead of tough games against Falkirk and Greenock Morton to come.