Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

St Mirren stunned Motherwell for the second time in a week to earn a vital Scottish Premiership win at Fir Park.

The visitors won an epic 4-4 Scottish Cup tie on penalties last week but had goals from Jon Obika and Ilkay Durmus in the closing stages to thank here.

Liam Donnelly's penalty put the hosts ahead early on only for an insipid second-half showing to follow.

St Mirren remain in 10th but now sit four points above Hamilton as Motherwell stay a point clear in third.

The hosts, who failed to be inspired by the return of long-term absentee David Turnbull, are now on a winless run in all competitions of eight games with a chance to open up daylight on themselves and Aberdeen missed.

St Mirren enjoy return to happy hunting ground

The story pre match was the inclusion of Turnbull on the home bench after spending all season recovering from surgery.

The twist was a fantastic St Mirren turnaround capped by Durmus' thunderous winner. How they must love a trip to Fir Park.

The drama of their cup meeting last week did not quite materialise but there was still a twist with a similar pattern. This time though it was Motherwell that asserted themselves in the first half. A switch to a back three initially seemed to pay off with those in claret and amber winning battles all over pitch. They were determined and authoritative, seemingly intent on taking a grip on third place.

Rolando Aarons had an early chance to hit the target but shot horribly wide. It didn't take long for him to redeem that.

Jermaine Hylton released the winger who raced towards the penalty area at pace. Akin Famewo attempted to match him but clearly upended his opponent to concede a spot kick. Liam Donnelly confidently despatched it home low to Vaclav Hladky's left.

St Mirren lacked much creativity at all at that stage with Durmus close from an angle as Stephen Robinson's men forced the issue seeking a second. Hladky had to look lively to divert Declan Gallagher's header and then Tony Watt's rebound. Watt threatened once more as he raced 60 yards down left before seeing his strike diverted past.

It was sustained pressure and when a corner fell to Allan Campbell it seemed he would stretch their lead but he scooped it over on his weaker foot.

St Mirren's performance was in stark contrast to the thumping 4-1 lead they established just one week ago by half-time. However, they looked an entirely different proposition when the game restarted and hauled themselves level when Lee Hodson danced into the box and pulled across the six-yard area for Obika.

The ball seemed to hit off his foot but the striker had the presence of mind to remain calm and lift the ball home. It was a crucial moment for Jim Goodwin's side.

Durmus then cut inside and unleashed a low shot that Mark Gillespie touched past. Suddenly, St Mirren carried a threat.

The key to the turnaround seemed to lie in Goodwin pushing his wingers higher up the pitch to effectively create four forwards. That generated pressure and kept Motherwell's width in check for the most part.

The home crowd needed a lift as the game wore on and got one when Turnbull came on to a rousing reception. His comeback will give Robinson such a lift in the run in to the season as they chase a European place. It was not to be his night, though, as St Mirren earned a huge result.

It had seemed the visitors might accept a point having trailed in the match. Not a chance. The one thing they've needed after some decent performances was three points and they earned it in style. With 87 minutes on the clock, Durmus gathered the ball inside the area and powerfully smashed the ball high into the net on the volley.

Junior Morais then came close to a third but fired narrowly wide.

They had to endure five minutes of injury time that must have seemed like an eternity, but what a shot in the arm in St Mirren's relegation fight.

Man of the match - Ilkay Durmus

After 45 minutes the only candidates lay within the home side. Aarons had been threatening and his pace earned the penalty. Watt looked impressive down the left side as Motherwell players all over the pitch stood up.

It swung entirely the other way after the break with Hodson instrumental in creating the equaliser.

The award has to go to Durmus though. His finish was superb and has handed St Mirren a massive boost.

'They had two chances and scored both' - reaction

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "I don't know how many chances we need to win a game of football. I think we had 14 shots on goal in the first half and goodness knows how many corners. They were always going to come back into the game at some point. They had two chances and scored both.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "I've got to give enormous credit for my players for the character they showed in the second half. It's not the first time we've come from behind to take something. I would've been delighted with a point at half-time.

"It's important that we refocus ourselves and look forward to Saturday in the cup and let this be the catalyst now to kick us on in the league."