ST Mirren suffered League Cup heartache as they fell one goal short of progressing after a 3-0 win over Edinburgh City at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The Buddies exited the competition despite taking nine points from a possible 12 in group G, and finishing level on points with group winners Hamilton Accies and second placed Ayr United. One more goal would've seen them leapfrog Ayr and into the next round but Saints fell agonisingly short despite creating plenty of chances, particularly in the first half.

First half goals from Lawrence Shankland, Tom Walsh and Jack Baird had Saints on course. In truth it could've been five or six at half time but St Mirren couldn't find the same attacking verve in the second half as they did in the first and the all important fourth alluded them.

Alex Rae rang the changes after last week's poor showing at Hamilton Accies. Shankland and Walsh made their first starts since signing a fortnight ago, John Sutton and Calum Gallagher dropped to the bench. Scott Gallacher replaced Jamie Langfield in goals while Jordan Stewart started in place of the injured Gary Irvine.

It was a slow start from the Saints but in the seventh minute they fashioned the first good move of the match. Shankland dropped deep to receive possession, he worked space to release Lewis Morgan on the right. Morgan's cross on his less favoured right foot found David Clarkson, the striker's lay off looked perfect for Shankland but it was cut out by Joseph Mbu.

Moments later Clarkson played Hutton in down the right and the midfielder's cross was inch perfect for Shankland at the near post but his strike was saved by Calum Antell.

Shankland wouldn't have to wait long for another chance, which he was in no mood to squander. Morgan skinned Dominico Gibson on the right before standing up a great cross to the back post which Shankland duly nodded in. The decision by Alex Rae to move Morgan from the left to the right had already paid off.

The Buddies were turning up the pressure, knowing they had to rack up the goals. Shankland coasted past a couple of challenges before laying off to Morgan, his square ball was dummied by Clarkson and ran to Walsh, the winger's strike was beyond the goalkeeper but cleared off the line by Gordon Donaldson.

Shankland had a golden opportunity to double his tally after 25 minutes but he could only direct his free header from six yards straight at Antell.

The pressure would finally pay off for Saints. Shankland squared to Walsh who cut in from the left and fired in a low strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner after 30 minutes, his first goal for the club.

The home faithful were celebrating again a few minutes later. There was controversy as an Edinburgh City defender went down in the box injured after a set piece. Saints played on and the ball fell to Shankland, his effort was saved but Jack Baird was on hand to volley in the rebound.

Half-time 3-0.

St Mirren started the second half the way they had finished the first. Chances for Clarkson and Walsh tested Antell.

However the Buddies soon lost the momentum they had built and the pace dropped with their influential players of the first half Morgan and Shankland involved less. Rae introduced new signing Ryan Hardie and Sutton to liven his side up. Clarkson and Shankalnd made way, the removal of Shankland might have raised some eyebrows in the home crowd, the striker had arguably been Saints' best player.

Hardie had a chance for what might have been an all important debut goal when the ball fell to him in the box, he wriggled clear and placed a shot beyond the goalkeeper but Donaldson was in the line to clear.

The home support knew a fourth goal was the minimum requirement for Saints to have a chance of going through and it so nearly came in the 84th minute. Morgan, now on the left, skipped past his man with ease before cutting the ball back for Sutton, his strike was saved by the legs of the goalkeeper Antell and cleared. It would be the last chance of note for St Mirren.