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Stevie May and Sam Cosgrove combined to propel Aberdeen up to fourth in the Premiership as St Mirren remain grounded at the bottom.

In a season where both have struggled for goals, the Dons duo hit the net as the usually shot-shy visitors made it five goals and six points in a week.

May scored from the penalty spot, but within five minutes Saints were level through Cameron MacPherson.

But Cosgrove headed a second-half winner for the Dons.

St Mirren are tied bottom with Dundee, with just one win in their last 17 top-flight games.

Dons find their scoring touch

The Dons had scored just 17 in 15 league games before the midweek win over Livingston, while St Mirren went into this encounter with 12 from 17.

Cosgrove and May have been two of the main culprits for Aberdeen's lack of punch up front, but after manager Derek McInnes elected to start them both in midweek their partnership paid dividends with the side scoring three.

He stuck with the same tactic in Paisley and was again rewarded as both combined.

On Tuesday, the energetic May had done everything but score. But after Andrew Considine was fouled in the box by St Mirren's Alfie Jones, May grabbed the ball and slammed home the penalty for just his second of the season.

Moments before, Niall McGinn had a free-kick tipped over and minutes after the goal Connor McLennan, who started after impressing in midweek, drifted a header just wide.

But St Mirren then showed the character their manager Oran Kearney had demanded before the match.

The Northern Irishman had been angry at the way his side threw away the lead the previous week against Livingston. Within five minutes of falling behind, Adam Hammill's free-kick landed perfectly for MacPherson, who took advantage of Considine missing the ball to fire home from close range.

The game flowed from end to end, and St Mirren's debutant goalkeeper Dean Lyness blocked May from close range after Cosgrove played him through.

The 27-year-old was unlucky not to deny the Dons again when he palmed Considine's header on to the bar, but Cosgrove got there first to the rebound to head Aberdeen in front.

St Mirren were up for the battle though. Ryan Edwards shot into the hands of Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis, and they spent much of the final 15 minutes camped in the visitors' half.

But their lack of discipline was letting them down as time ticked away, while for all their pressure Lewis had little to occupy him.

Both sides show promise - analysis

BBC Scotland's John Barnes at the Simple Digital Arena

In atrocious wintry conditions, credit goes to the players for the manner in which they tried to get the ball down and play.

Aberdeen dominated for most of the match with St Mirren seen more as a counter-attacking side, particularly in the second half.

The Dons have found form at the right and busy time of the season, but there were promising and encouraging performances from both sides.

MacPherson was making only his fourth league start of the season and he impressed in the Buddies' midfield alongside the experienced Stephen McGinn. The 19-year-old showed an eagerness to be the more offensive of the two and he provided an excellent piece of composure and skill for his goal - his first for St Mirren's top team.

For goalkeeper Lyness it was his debut for the Buddies with Danny Rogers unable to play against his parent club. After a couple of slack passes trying to play out from the back he showed what he's capable off with a number of quality saves.

Cosgrove showed he is becoming a focal point for the Dons with his link up play improving with every game. He was a handful for the Saints defence and showed quick reactions for his winning goal.

Cameron MacPherson (second left) pounces inside the box to steer St Mirren level

Post-match reaction

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney: "I thought our performance was a lot better and a marked improvement from last week.

"We had the game in a place where we wanted it after 60 minutes and things were starting to get edgy, so just disappointed to concede at that time and let them off the hook.

"The big concern for me is still the sporadic nature of the performances. The second half at Livingston last week was embarrassing, yet we hit a performance like that today where we got at it strongly.

"We have nine points to play for before January, and those nine points are massive."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "It was a tough watch at times, it was scruffy at times. We were untidy after the opening goal.

"I'd need to see it again, but I thought Connor MacPherson was offside for their goal, but the linesman assures me one of my players was playing him on.

"In terms of chances created and being the away game, I thought we just about deserved the points.

"I thought Sam Cosgrove led the line brilliantly today. Him and Stevie May go away feeling good about themselves getting a goal."