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Scottish Championship: St Mirren complete great escape

Rory Loy celebrates his equaliser at Easter Road
Image: Rory Loy celebrates his equaliser at Easter Road

St Mirren have retained their Ladbrokes Championship status after getting the point they needed at champions Hibernian.

But Ayr United are down after a 2-1 loss at Raith Rovers, who go into the relegation play-off following St Mirren's 1-1 draw at Easter Road.

At the other end of the table, Greenock Morton and Dundee United will meet in the Premiership play-off quarter-final after drawing 1-1 on Saturday.

St Mirren were bottom of the Championship table for much of the season but were revived under manager Jack Ross and finished seventh, thanks to their draw at Hibernian.

A huge crowd were out to hail Neil Lennon's champions and they took the lead when Grant Holt got on the end of John McGinn's cross four minutes after the break.

Hibernian celebrate with the Ladbrokes Championship trophy
Image: Hibernian celebrate with the Ladbrokes Championship trophy

But the Buddies got an all-important equaliser on the hour mark, on-loan forward Rory Low finding the net after good work from Kyle Magennis and Stevie Mallan.

Hibs pressed for a winner and Jason Cummings shot wide late on but the visitors held on to ensure they will be playing Champioship football next season.

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Raith Rovers will be in the relegation play-off against Brechin City, despite a gutsy 2-1 win over Ayr, who needed a five-goal win to avoid the drop.

Rovers had goalkeeper Pavol Penksa sent off after only four minutes but took the lead when Jonathan Court (37) was on target.

Ayr equalised through Ross Docherty (70) but Alan Forrest had a penalty saved by sub keeper Conor Brennan and Declan McManus then got Raith's winner in the final minute.

Dundee United began the day with hopes of overhauling second-placed Falkirk but, while they could only draw, the Bairns were 1-0 winners at Dumbarton.

United had the better of the first-half at fourth-placed Morton and were unfortunate not to get the breakthrough, Thomas Mikkelsen hitting the post before Tony Andreu's shot from distance hit the bar.

And they then conceded in the 52nd minute when Kudus Oyenuga found the net with a looping header from a Mark Russell cross.

However, the visitors hit back and levelled 11 minutes later, Blair Spittal finding the target after an Andreu cross.

Morton's Kudus Oyenuga celebrates
Image: Morton's Kudus Oyenuga celebrates his goal against Dundee United

Morton then had to replace goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell with James McGowan but the replacement pulled off a good save to deny Spittal as Morton held on.

And Falkirk secured second place in any case thanks to their 1-0 victory at Dumbarton but they left it late, Nathan Austin heading home with just five minutes left to play.

Morton and Dundee United will play off back at Cappielow on Tuesday before the Tangerines host the second leg at Tannadice on Friday.

The winners will take on Falkirk over two legs, and whoever emerges from that tie will take on the Premiership's second bottom team in another two-legged affair.

Dunfermline were 1-0 winners at Queen of the South in the day's other Championship game.

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