Connor Ronan eased St Mirren's relegation worries and added to Hibernian's woes after scoring the only goal in a narrow 1-0 Premiership victory at Easter Road.

The on-loan Wolves midfielder pounced on a mistake from Jake Doyle-Hayes in the 62nd minute before firing a fierce drive beyond Kevin Dabrowski.

The victory moves Saints 11 points clear of bottom side Dundee and only within one of the top six.

Hibs were booed off by their fans at full-time after their winless league run stretched to five matches, which includes them failing to find the net in four of those games.

The home side had looked lively at the start of the second half following a poor first-half showing but were made to pay for failing to score when they were on top.

Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney continued to show faith in Dabrowski in goal following a man-of-the-match performance on his debut in the midweek draw with city rivals Hearts.

The shot-stopper was the busier of the two goalkeepers in a first half that was edged by St Mirren.

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Following a disjointed start to the game by both teams, the visitors had the first meaningful effort on goal in the 17th minute when Richard Tait angled a drive just past Dabrowski's far post from outside the box.

Jordan Jones was then presented with a chance from a similar range but the outcome was still the same.

St Mirren looked particularly lively on the counter and Jay Henderson forced a save from Dabrowski in the 22nd minute, with Rocky Bushiri clearing up the rebound.

In a rare opening at the other end, Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge combined to set Chris Mueller free in the box but the United States international was denied by a last-gasp Joe Shaughnessy challenge.

Hibs brought on Ewan Henderson for Doidge at half-time and the hosts looked far more threatening.

Henderson was denied by a brilliant Jack Alnwick save from a Nisbet lay-off before the former Celtic youngster shot narrowly wide.

The same two were denied again moments later but this time Henderson's shot was expertly pushed over the bar by the Saints goalkeeper.

The hosts' wastefulness in attack came back to haunt them when Ronan gave St Mirren the lead in the 62nd minute.

The midfielder pinched the ball off Doyle-Hayes just outside the box and drove forward before drilling a thunderous drive past Dabrowski from 18 yards.

Nisbet then came close to equalling moments later with a first-time drive from inside the area but Alnwick somehow managed to push the shot beyond the post.

Maloney rang the changes from the bench as he looked for inspiration but St Mirren held on.

Goodwin backs Ronan for Ireland call-up

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin tipped Connor Ronan for a maiden Republic of Ireland call-up after the midfielder's match-winning performance at Easter Road, where national team boss Stephen Kenny was watching.

Goodwin said: "Connor doesn't score bad goals and that's another one - in front of the Irish manager as well so please God, that will do enough to get him in the set-up.

"I've been banging the drum long enough. I met Stephen Kenny there downstairs. I'm always talking up Connor in the press.

"He knows him well enough from the U21s. I did mention to him not to forget that Joe Shaughnessy and Charles Dunne are eligible as well.

"Jamie McGrath got that recognition for us and I would be delighted if Connor got it playing for us because it would certainly make my job a lot easier when we're recruiting players, young up-and-coming players.

"They are going to get an opportunity here to flourish."

Maloney bemoans missed chances

Hibernian boss Shaun Maloney, whose team have not won in their last five Premiership fixtures, lamented their lack of cutting edge.

He said: "It's a really disappointing result. For about 25 minutes in the second half we created more than enough opportunities to win the game and that's the most frustrating thing.

"The result has to be different, but that's the difference between taking your chances when you have them and being clinical.

"They had one chance from our throw-in that they take and it's a really good finish.

"They had another action from a cross as well, but without that, the result should have been very different and that's what is disappointing."

What's next?

Hibernian travel to Rangers on Wednesday - kick-off 7:45pm - while St Mirren host St Johnstone on the same day, also at 7:45pm.

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