The St Mirren players celebrate the opening goal at Love Street
St Mirren made it two wins in a row with a comfortable victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Andy Dorman gave the home side the lead in the 17th minute after he picked up a through ball from Dennis Wyness and slotted under the body of Ryan Esson.
Less than a minute after the interval, a Garry Brady strike from just six yards out made it two after good work by Jim Hamilton.
The visitors pushed for a consolation but were denied by the Saints.
St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson sent out the same team that served him well last Saturday, looking to build on the valuable three points won at Falkirk the previous week he remained faithful to the same starting eleven.
Meanwhile Craig Brewster reintroduced 20-year-old striker Adam Rooney to the Inverness team, while Ross Tokely was still missing through suspension.
Inverness started brightly, winning three corners inside the first six minutes.
Ian Black tested keeper Mark Howard from distance but the closest the visitors came was when Dougie Imrie's cross forced a save.
After 16 minutes, St Mirren took the lead when Dorman picked up on a headed ball from Wyness and ran into the box before coolly slotting under Esson.
Two minutes earlier, Rooney had crossed to Andrew Barrowman but he failed to connect his header properly and the chance was gone. Minutes later, Rooney passed up another chance.
Inside the first minute of the second half, Brady scored to make it 2-0 to the Paisley club.
A cross from Hamilton was out of reach of all the Inverness defenders but Brady was on hand at the back post to knock it home from seven yards.
Stephen McGinn should have put St Mirren three up but he passed up a chance from close range in front of an open goal.
Wyness had a better effort in the 57th minute but Howard stood strong, pushing the ball away.
In the 66th minute, Inverness tried to re-energise their team and brought on Roy McBain and Rory McAllister for Black and Barrowman.
Esson prevented Hamilton inflicting further damage with a save from his feet in 74th minute following a sweet moving involving Jack Ross and Wyness before Hamilton shot.
With two minutes left of regulation time, Craig Dargo fired in a shot but Howard managed to parry before smothering the ball.
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson: "I think we deserved it. We worked ever so hard and we got the goals at crucial times.
"Before we got the opener there was nothing really in the game but Andy Dorman brings that extra quality to our team, with the timing of his runs and the composure of his finish.
"A lot of his game is based on fitness and now he's starting to get a run of games.
"It's a while since we've had our noses in front at home and that gave us something to defend."
Inverness manager Craig Brewster: "I thought we were second best today, after a bright first 10 minutes. We were all over the place at times.
"The players were deflated after losing the first goal and the defence looked shaky.
"It was a killer to lose a second goal right from the start of the second half and thereafter we just huffed and puffed.
"Let's hope we're more positive next week."
St Mirren: Howard, Miranda, Potter, Cuthbert, Ross, Dorman (Mason 90), Murray, Brady, McGinn, Wyness, Hamilton (Dargo 85). Subs Not Used: Smith, Barron, McAusland, McCay, Brighton.
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