HUNDREDS of jubilant fans invaded the pitch after St Mirren sealed their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals following a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Kilmarnock.
And it was goalkeeper Shamal George who was earning the plaudits in the aftermath as team-mate Alex Gogic carried him on his shoulders towards the euphoric away end.
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George produced the crucial save in the shoot-out denying Kilmarnock’s Kyle Magennis.
Before that the Saints opened the scoring through Mikael Mandron but were pegged back by Robbie Deas just before the break.
Jayden Richardson produced a stunning effort to restore Stephen Robinson’s men’s lead ahead of the hour mark.
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But Killie striker Bruce Anderson netted a penalty for the hosts a few minutes before the end of normal time to ensure the game would go to extra-time.
Neither side could be separated in the following 30 minutes so it came down to a nerve-shredding shootout.
St Mirren, like they did in the previous round against Hearts, emerged triumphant to become the first team to book themselves a place at Hampden.
And the excitement from the supporters spilled on to the pitch at full-time after Malik Dijksteel converted to give the Saints a 5-3 win on penalties.
The former Cork City attacker wheeled away to celebrate along with his team-mates after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
They raced towards the far end of Rugby Park to share the moment with fans.
But they got as far as the 18-yard box before being met by a wave of euphoric Saints fans coming in the opposite direction from over the hoardings.
Goalkeeper Shamal George could barely be seen as he was mobbed by adoring fans before he was raised on to the shoulders of team-mate Alex Gogic after his crucial save to deny Magennis in the shootout.
He was then carried towards the 2000-strong travelling support as they lauded their hero.
St Mirren’s last League Cup trophy came 12 years ago in 2013 when they beat Hearts 3-2 and they are now just 90 minutes away from another final.
Hoping to join them in the last four are Aberdeen and Motherwelll who kick off at 3pm on Saturday.
Then it’s Rangers against Hibs as Russell Martin fights for his job in a 5.45pm kick off at Ibrox.
Before Partick Thistle and Celtic lock horns at Firhill on Sunday.
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