St Mirren snatched a dramatic victory with a stoppage-time howitzer to beat Rangers 2-1 at the SMiSA Stadium and severely dent the visitors' fleeting chances in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Philippe Clement's side had looked to have turned a corner in recent weeks performance-wise, but they were caught napping by a resolute display from the Buddies, who leapfrog Motherwell into fifth place.
Having seen Aberdeen lose 4-0 to Kilmarnock earlier, this was a real chance to put some distance between themselves and the Dons, but it's a chance they've dramatically failed to take.
St Mirren utterly bossed the first half as Rangers struggled to get any sort of foothold in the game and it was no surprise when Oisin Smyth gave his team the lead on the half-hour after a rush of blood saw Jack Butland race from his line and clatter into Greg Kiltie to give away a spot-kick, which Smyth coolly dispatched in a manner similar to a previous Paisley penalty kingpin, Jamie McGrath.
After a rocket at half-time from their manager, Rangers peppered the Saints goal in the second half and deservedly levelled through Danilo after an almighty stramash in the box, but they were unable to grab a second during this period of dominance before Stephen Robinson rung the changes, and ultimately, changed the course of the match.
St Mirren's winner in the 93rd minute owed all to their determination and pressing prowess as Jonah Ayunga robbed Dujon Sterling, raced forward and crossed for Evan Mooney, who showed great composure to lay it off for fellow sub Caolan Boyd-Munce to lash it home into the bottom corner.
It's been a proper pearler in Paisley this Boxing Day night, so stick with us as we bring you all the reaction, LIVE right here.
Key Events
Clement consistency claim blown apart
Philippe Clement claims that Rangers have been consistent over the last two months. But the form guide tell a different story.
The Belgian was left beelin' by his side's first half showing in St Mirren. But an improved second half was undone by a stoppage time winner for the Buddies to leave Gers trailing Celtic by 12 points.
Clement admitted he was an angry man at the break in his post-match debrief. And he was so incensed because of how consistent he believes his side have been in recent weeks, only for them to produce what they did over the first 45 minutes in Paisley.
Calculator goes in the bin
Raging Philippe Clement slammed an unacceptable first-half mentality as Rangers were sunk by St Mirren.
The irate Ibrox boss admits he didn’t see the flop coming and could have changed almost an entire team at the break.
Danilo equalised in an improved effort after the restart only for Caloan Boyd-Munce’s later stunner to leave the Belgian’s team floored.
Clement tears Rangers performance apart
There was no holding back from Philippe Clement after the game!
He said their first half left him raging at the break - and tore his team apart for 'throwing away' 45 minutes.
You can read his full explosive rant on Premier Sports right here.
Talking Points
There are plenty of talking points to digest from this Paisley slugfest as St Mirren throw a spanner in Philippe Clement's mini-revival.
Full-time: St Mirren 2-1 Rangers
It's full time at the SMiSA Stadium as St Mirren stun Rangers in stoppage time to claim a 2-1 victory.
Caolan Boyd-Munce is the man to give them all three points with a stoppage-time howitzer after Danilo had levelled up Oisin Smyth's penalty.
Final score: St Mirren 2-1 Rangers.
Tavernier fires over the bar
It's a desperate effort as the Rangers captain hits it on the volley after the ball falls for him in the box, but it's way over the bar.
Wonder goal
Jonah Ayunga does brilliantly to close down Sterling and win the ball, he breaks forward and squares for Mooney, who lays it back and Boyd-Munce has absolutely smashed that into the bottom corner.
It's pure desire and pressing perfection that allows Saints to score there and that's a goal fit to win any contest.
GOAL: St Mirren 2-1 Rangers
It's a stunner from the Saints as Caolan Boyd-Munce leathers it past Jack Butland to surely condemn Rangers to defeat.
What a goal.
Six added minutes
There are six added minutes to play in Paisley. Can either side grab a winner?
Final minute
We're into the final minute of normal time here, as both sides await the fourth official's verdict on stoppage time.
Gogic clears
Balcombe looks a bit less comfortable on his next interaction with the ball, awkwardly pushing Tavernier's cross onto his own team-mate, Gogic who's composed as he clears.
Yilmaz cross claimed
Balcombe comfortably claims the long cross from Ridvan, as Rangers seem to have lost the initial spark they had at the start of the second half.
Late subs
Cyriel Dessers is on for the final 10 minutes for Rangers, can he make it a hat-trick of Paisley winners for the visitors.
He replaces Hamza Igamane.
Meanwhile, Evan Mooney and Callum Penman are on for the hosts, replacing Fraser and Olusanya.
Rangers snuff out break
Olusanya does brilliantly to rob the dithering Propper, but Raskin is back to get across and snuff out the chance, but he looks to have picked up a knock in the process.
Saints weathering the storm
The home side have looked a lot better in the last 10 minutes or so after a barrage of Rangers pressure and chances at the start of the second half.
It's now on a knife-edge as to who will go on and collect the three points, if we're to have a winner in this one.
Ridvan on for Jefte
The Turk comes on to replace the Brazilian in a straight swap at left-back for the visitors.
Rangers corner
Rangers win a corner as Igamane and Taylor clash.
It looked to come off the Moroccan last, but the corner is given and they nearly score from it as the ball is flicked on in front of the near post and cleared by the Saints defence, with the keeper coming to claim, but missing.
Jefte cross off-target
Jefte is played in to the byline, but his delivery is way-off and goes behind for a St Mirren goal-kick.
CROSSBAR: ST MIRREN
The Buddies hit the bar from the corner, with the ball looking to come off of Propper after another wicked delivery from goalscorer Oisin Smyth. What a chance that was for the home side to retake the lead.
Saints want another penalty
St Mirren are claiming for a penalty as the shot goes behind off Diomande. They reckon it's hit his arm, but it's off his thigh.
Saints break
Olusanya times his run in behind to perfection, but Sterling is across to block the Buddies' striker's shot. A great counter from the hosts and they have a corner.
Cerny just over
Vaclav Cerny picks the ball up after Raskin had released Tavernier with an excellent cross-field ball and the winger unleashes a rocket from distance that dips just over the bar.
That was travelling, to utilise an oft-used footballing cliche.
Tavernier blocked off
Rangers are trying to battering-ram the ball into the Saints net but Tavernier is blocked off in his latest pursuit.
Big chance
Rangers miss a great opportunity to go in front as Igamane does brilliantly to hold off his man, play a good one-two but the final effort is over the bar.
Rangers are not letting up here. They know they can't afford to drop any more points.
Further delay
There seemed to be another VAR check there after it was cleared, for an offside.
Anyways, it's cleared again and the goal is awarded, Rangers are level.
Saints subs
Alex Iacovitti and Jonah Ayunga are on for Saints, replacing Greg Kiltie and Elvis Bwomono.
GOAL: St Mirren 1-1 Rangers
Rangers finally level it up as Balcombe clears the delivery from just under his bar, there's an almighty stramash as the ball pinballs around the area but Danilo is on-hand to slide his shot under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
There was a VAR check, but it's completed and the goal is confirmed.
St Mirren 1-1 Rangers.
Danilo denied
Danilo's shot is kept out on the line by Balcombe. The Brazilian wants a penalty for a shirt pull, but it's no dice and another corner.
Another corner
Rangers win another corner as Tavernier is denied by Balcombe. The pressure is relentless here.
