ST MIRREN went back to the future on Saturday as their young colts ran riot against dismal Kilmarnock.

Knowing that their season is not far away from a lost cause, Saints boss Gary Teale put his faith in youth as the stars of tomorrow got an opportunity to shine.

As it transpired, they shimmered brilliantly in a stunning 4-1 win that may just pose Motherwell some concerns as St Mirren now move to within seven points of them with 12 to play for.

While the 36 years of veteran striker Steven Thompson did little to bring the figure down, the average age of the Buddies starting XI on Saturday was a mere 23 including five players either 20 years of age or younger.

With a fair few of the St Mirren first team out of contract in the summer, there may be a focus next season on the next generation stepping up to the mark in what many expect to be a Championship title push.

Goalscorer Sean Kelly, who opened the scoring on Saturday, believes the showing at the weekend is proof they are more than capable of doing just that.

"I think that was a glimpse of the future because you saw a lot of youth team players out there," said the 22-year-old centre-half.

"A lot of the experienced players have dropped out and I think there are only three or four of us under contract next season. It is a complete rebuilding job that is needed.

"The club is still bringing through young players. We all have to hold our hands up and say we've not been good enough this season, young players as well.

"Hearts went down into the Championship with a lot of young guys who were Scotland Under-21 internationals and used to playing at Tynecastle every week.

"Then they have come into this season and run away with the Championship on the back of the experience they have had from playing in a better league. They have become better players and got used to the pressure and the atmosphere. It's a very different thing to come up from a youth team game to the first team."

Not that any of the youngsters seemed troubled by it on Saturday.

This was without a shadow of a doubt St Mirren's finest hour in a long, long season. Two goals from Thompson - who smashed the 50-goal barrier for Saints with his first - as well as strikes from Kelly and 20-year-old Kieran Sadlier did the damage for the hosts who could have quite easily added even more.

It may yet prove to be too little, too late for the Paisley club. Kelly acknowledges that, but added: 'I think we could close the gap a bit but just how far depends on other results. We'll just take it one game at a time."

It is an altogether different story for struggling Kilmarnock.

This was the Rugby Park club's fifth defeat on the trot as they hover seven points above Motherwell.

"It's still a possibility [we could finish in 11th], but then there's a possibility I could walk out and get hit by a bus," said Killie goalscorer Josh Magennis.

"We're not looking below us - we're looking at seventh even though that's hard with Hamilton winning on Friday.

"We've just got to stay away from the bottom and hopefully look forward to next season and finishing in the top six."