ST MIRREN................4 (Gallagher 10, Mallan 22, 89, Watson 37, )

DUNFERMLINE.........0

St Mirren booked their place in the semi-final of the Petrofac Training Cup with a comfortable win that eased them past a hapless Dunfermline side.

Three first-half goals from Calum Gallagher, Stephen Mallan and Keith Watson ensured an easy passage through the quarter-finals for Ian Murray's side.

From the minute Gallagher opened the scoring to finish off a fine move involving Sean Kelly and Cameron Howison, they looked unlikely to relinquish their lead over a Dunfermline side who never quite got into the game.

At 2-0 - Mallan had doubled the advantage after the 20-minute mark - Joe Cardle scorned a glorious chance to pull one back for the visitors when he slid in at the back post to meet a Shaun Rooney cross but could only balloon his effort high over the bar.

However, it was a rare forway forward for the East End Park side who found themselves hemmed in for much of the game.

By the time Saints added a third before the interval when Watson got in on the act, the game was long since finished as a contest.

The second period didn't quite live up to the entertainment value of the opening 45 minutes as St Mirren were content to see out the game at a canter.

Mallan put the seal on the performance with a finely executed goal in the last minute of the game whhen he collected from substitute Lewis McClear and fired home the fourth.

The challenge not for Murray's side lies in finding a way to replicate that form in the league where they are currently third bottom having taken just 7 points in 9 games.

Saints have yet to log a winning league performance this season in Paisley but on this afternoon's evidence they clearly have it within them to elevate themselves from such a lowly position.