IAN MURRAY yesterday became the fourth St Mirren manager to leave the club within the space of two years after resigning from his post.

The former Scotland, Rangers and Hibernian defender was appointed successor to Gary Teale in the summer in the hope he could be the man to lead the team’s revival and haul them back into the Ladbrokes Premiership at the first time of asking.

Sixteen games into the Championship campaign and St Mirren’s hopes of doing just that already appear dead in the water. Murray’s team have just two league wins to their name and sit a perilous four points off bottom while a sizeable 12 off a promotion play-off place – currently occupied by Renfrewshire rivals Morton.

There have been murmurs of discontent among St Mirren supporters for a number of weeks. Their wishes for change were finally granted in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Dumbarton, the club Murray left in summer, with it emerging the 34-year-old had stepped down.

He follows Danny Lennon, Tommy Craig and Teale, who have all been unable to bring the desired level of success to the Paisley club.

"I've offered my resignation to the club,” said Murray after defeat at the Cheaper Insurance Direct stadium. “The chairman [Stewart Gilmour] has accepted it and we'll maybe make a statement in the next 24 hours or so.

"I think the club needs a change now. There are some good players here and it needs something new.

"I fully appreciate the squad I've been given and after speaking to the chairman and the players I think a change might be better.

"Just going back in speaking to the players and speaking to my assistant Alex Miller I just think the players need something extra.

"I have absolute no doubt that they will do well and win games there is no question about it."

It has emerged that Miller as well as goalkeeper and coach Jamie Langfield will take temporary charge of matters while the St Mirren board search for a permanent solution to a managerial problem.

"I've accepted Ian's resignation. It's been a very difficult period,” said Gilmour.

"I know he's worked hard and given everything. Unfortunately one of those things not clicked as happens with a lot of managers.

"We had four or five good chances but that's football. We had to come here and win and we need to win now against Alloa next week."

An official club statement read: “It has been confirmed this evening that St Mirren manager Ian Murray has offered his resignation to the chairman, Stewart Gilmour which has been accepted.

“We would like to thank Ian for his hard work in his time at the Club and we are disappointed that it has not worked out for all parties.

“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”