Yoann Arquin trudges off to make way for Kieran Sadlier. Can the former West Ham youth inject some urgency to the home side?

Rafa De Vita flashes in a cross from the left and Michael Gardyne has an age to bring the ball down from a headed clearance and his shot on the turn fizzes just off target.

Cameron Sanderson: "#bbcscotfootball can you please tell the commentators the laws of the game. You cannot get a red card for a last man challenge. Thank you."

Does last man imply denying a goal-scoring opportunity?

Ross County are running the show in Paisley but manager Jim McIntyre will want a second goal to make sure of the points. Remember, a win takes them six points away from Motherwell in the play-off place.

A break in the one-way traffic as John McGinn sends a deflected shot from 22 yards into the arms of County goalkeeper Mark Brown.

Mark Ridgers is being kept busy now as he makes an impressive block to keep out a firm strike from Rafa De Vita, who was running on to a neat Liam Boyce lay-off.

Martin Woods is clipped by Thomas Reilly before dusting himself down to send a real zipper of a free-kick round the defensive wall from 30 yards and it needs a good save from Mark Ridgers to push it round the post.

Ross County break from defending a corner and suddenly the depeleted home side are outnumbered at the back but a bad touch from Craig Curran lets them off the hook.

Michael Gardyne lines up the free-kick from the sending-off foul and his effort from 25 yards cracks off the outside of the post.

A bad night so far for St Mirren gets even worse as Viktor Genev is dismissed for a last-man tangle with Liam Boyce. A straightforward decision for referee Willie Collum...

The biggest cheer of the evening from the home fans goes to a young lad who shows good skill to head a stray, high ball back into play from the stand. He had a drink in his hand and didn't spill a drop...

St Mirren, out of the tunnel a long time after the visitors, get the second half started.

Ross County aren't exactly bothering the top of the scoring charts either but, crucially, their January signings have made an impact, with Craig Curran banging in five goals and Rafa De Vita yet to play in a losing side.

Liam Boyce, once on the books of Werder Bremen, has really picked up of late and that's two goals in two games for the Irishman.

Jack Haugh: "I remember when Gregg Wylde was a huge prospect in Scottish football. Invisible now. #BbcScotFootball"

Arquin, who has been completely anonymous so far, scored two goals for Ross County this season before manager Jim McIntyre allowed the Frenchman's contract to expire in January. That's two more than he has managed in nine appearances for St Mirren.

Ball, who hasn't had a look in since January remains joint top-scorer of those still at the club with two. Yes, two goals...

On this evidence it's not hard to understand why goals have been a big problem for St Mirren, who are yet to reach double figures at home during this campaign.

Skipper Stevie Thompson has had his season curtailed by injury, while forward signings like James Marwood, Ross Caldwell, Callum Ball, Alan Gow and Yoann Arquin have been found wanting.

With County on track for an eighth win in a nine-game unbeaten run, the message from manager Jim McIntyre will be simple. Keep doing what you're doing...

St Mirren's high defensive line is not working too well but, then again, neither is the midfield and the home strikers have been starved of any decent service. Can manager Gary Teale turns things around with a second-half reshuffle or will the Buddies simply keep lumping the ball forward and hoping for the best?

Image source, SNS Group

The visitors are good value for their lead, with Liam Boyce lashing in the only goal on 30 minutes. St Mirren have not tested goalkeeper Mark Brown at all.

Martin Woods works a one-two with Michael Gardyne before letting fly. The County midfielder was slightly off balance and his shot dips over. The visitors are enjoying so much space in the middle of the park.