Football: LOVELLY DAY AT LOVE ST.

Byline: ROB FAIRBURN at Love Street

SMASH-AND-GRAB supersub Steve Lovell blasted a late winner to give Dons a rare win on the road.

But he had blundering Alan Reid to thank after the Buddies defender headed a back pass short and allowed Lovell in to snatch the glory six minutes from time.

It was rough justice on Gus MacPherson's troops who had dominated the first half and deserved a share of the spoils at least.

Dejected MacPherson said: "Alan knows he made a mistake. It was an individual error and we are bitterly disappointed.

"We created the chances in the first half and Chris Smith hardly had a save to make.

But one mistake has cost us.

"On a positive note we showed what we are capable of and if we had got a goal when on top that would have been a reward."

Buds played all the decent stuff in the first half with their best moves coming through Franco Miranda wide on the left.

In five minutes the Argentinian drilled in a low cross that was met by Billy Mehmet at the far post - but he fired wide with keeper Jamie Langfield badly exposed.

Miranda then headed over an Alex Burke corner.

Another Burke kick in 22 minutes caused panic and this time Stewart Kean stooped to send a header flashing over.

Miranda had already been warned for a late challenge when he got a yellow for a clumsy tackle on Derek Young.

Aberdeen were relying on the long ball and didn't have a real chance until Young slipped in Lee Miller who lashed his effort wildly wide. They had their first shot on target moments later with a long range effort from Chris Clark being gathered up by Smith.

Stephen McGinn - Buds' Boxing Day matchwinner at Tynecastle - showed a nice piece of skill on the edge of the box soon after the re-start but his chip was too high.

Miranda sent another header over on the hour before McGinn almost got the finishing touch to an Ian Maxwell cross. The double substitution of Sone Aluko and Lovell in 66 minutes pepped up Dons just when the the game seemed to be petering out to a goalless draw.

Smith had a double save from a Lovell shot at the near post in 83 minutes then smothered Lee Mair's try from the corner.

But it was heartache for the home side 60 seconds later when Reid's back header let in Lovell who steered the ball past the advancing Smith.

Buddies staged a cavalry charge in the closing minutes in a push for an equaliser with their best two chances falling to Reid.

But it was just not his day as the former Hibs midfielder slashed a left-foot volley over.

In the dying seconds his 30-yard effort was also well held by Langfield.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood admitted his side didn't deserve the three points.

He said: "The win flattered us and it looked a tired effort.

"St Mirren clearly had the better of the first half but bringing on Lovell and Aluko gave us an injection of pace.

"We got the break and Stevie did what he does best by putting the ball in the net.

"I was settling for a point the way it was going but the win puts us fourth equal with Dundee United. It was a battling performance."

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY kept a strong grip on the proceedings and as a result only needed to flash the yellow card once. He has a lot of experience and it was good to see a ref clamping down on all the barging and bumping at corners. Can be pleased with his display. Rating: 7/10.

MATCH STATS

ST MIRREN

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 11

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 11

CORNERS 7

BOOKINGS 1

ABERDEEN

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 9

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 12

CORNERS 3

BOOKINGS 0

CAPTION(S):

Don and dusted: Goal hero Lovell is chuffed to bits (main) and celebrates with his mates (above)