Jamie McGowan and Mark Yardley gave St Mirren a crucial two-goal cushion at Dunfermline in their fight against relegation.

Saints enjoyed the first real chance of the game when Mark Yardley flicked the ball onto Barry McLaughlin but the defender pulled the shot wide after three minutes.

Two minutes later Ian Ferguson released Lee Bullen down the left wing. Bullen's cross into the box was met by Crawford but the striker nodded just over.

Seconds later, Crawford should have opened the scoring with a well struck shot that had goalkeeper Ludovic Roy beaten only to see the effort hit the post.

Saints tested Pars goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek for the first time when Gary Bowman swung a cross into the box pinpointing Yardley.

The big striker had plenty of pace and his header was net-bound but Ruitenbeek somehow managed to claw the ball off the line.

Eight minutes later, Dunfermline were pushing for the opener again.

Youssef Rossi went on a great run unchallenged before squaring the ball to Crawford in front of goal but the Scotland international sent the ball yards over the crossbar.

The Pars were enjoying the best of the chances and were threatening again after 25 minutes.

Jason Dair flighted a cross into the box which was met by the on-rushing Nicholson but the former Rangers player fired the ball over.

Despite most of early pressure coming from Dunfermline it was St Mirren who opened the scoring after 31 minutes.

Bowman's corner was met by Graham Fenton who nodded the ball into the path of Jamie McGowan whose header from six yards out had goalkeeper Ruitenbeek well beaten.

Just three minutes before the break Saints doubled their lead.

Andrius Skerla tried to nod a Stephen McPhee cross back to the Pars goalkeeper but Yardley intercepted to fire home St Mirren's second of the day.