by Stuart Gillespie at Hampden Park

It was Hampden heartache for Saints this afternoon as their big day out ended in defeat to Rangers in the League Cup Final - and they will never have a better chance to beat one of the Old Firm at the national stadium.

After a superb first half performance in which Saints were the better side, Steven Thomson, David Barron and Michael Higdon all going close, they started the second half poorly before the game took a remarkable twist. First, Rangers had Kevin Thomson dismissed for a shocking challenge on Steven Thomson and soon after, incredibly, Rangers were down to nine men when Danny Wilson was sent off for a tug on sub Craig Dargo.

That should have opened the way for a Saints victory but they failed to test Neil Alexander when they had their two man advantage and were made to pay with seven minutes left when Stevie Naismith charged downfield before delivering a cross for Kenny Miller to head just out of Paul Gallacher's reach. It was classic Rangers - up against the odds and suddenly they produce a smash-and-grab to win a trophy.

Saints had given their all and were arguably the better side, but that doesn't disguise the fact they lost - and the Rangers fans' chants of "We only need nine men" as they celebrated the first leg of a potential treble only served to highlight just how good a chance it had been to lift some silverware. As the Rangers players celebrated at full time, the likes of Billy Mehmet were reduced to tears thinking of what might have been. It may well go down as a pub trivia question in the future - name the team that lost a cup final to just nine men.

Saints fans travelled in numbers to Hampden and before kick-off were treated to a parade of legends from both clubs, the Saints contingent including the likes of 1987 heroes Billy Abercomby, Tony Fitzpatrick and Campbell Money as well as more recent stars such as Tommy Turner, Ricky Gillies and Mark Yardley. The potentially legendary line-up of 2010 featured Paul Gallacher in goals, John Potter, Lee Mair and David Barron at the back, Jack Ross and Graham Carey patrolling the flanks, Steven Thomson, Hugh Murray and Garry Brady in midfield and the giant Michael Higdon and Billy Mehmet up front. The bench consisted of Andy Dorman, Craig Dargo, Steven Robb, Stephen O'Donnell and Mark Howard, with Chris Innes forced to miss out through injury. As with the semi-final it was 1-11 instead of squad numbers, although Brady and Barron were the only ones wearing a different number than usual. Steven Davis shrugged off a sickness bug to start for a Rangers side that included Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Nacho Novo from the off.

There were worries Saints' lack of experience could cost them in the early stages, but it was the most experienced man on the park who made the first mistake after just three minutes. Davie Weir miscontrolled a pass and tried to kick it out before Mehmet nipped in and charged towards the box. His cross was deflected and Sasa Papac did just enough to nod it behind for a corner, despite being under intense pressure from Steven Thomson.

The good start continued when a fine pass to Ross from Murray allowed the wingback to cross for Higdon, but Steven Whittaker slid in to block the striker's shot. His next involvement was a flick-on to Mehmet, but this time it was Weir who was to deny him as he got ready to shoot. There was good fortune at the other end when Miller played a delightful pass just out of Boyd's reach when he would have been one-on-one with Gallacher.

The whole Saints team appeared to be up for this, as opposed to their last visit to Hampden, and Hugh Murray in particular was getting stuck in before being booked for what looked a fair challenge on Lee McCulloch. Gallacher was the first of the two keepers forced to make a meaningful save, but Whittaker's low drive midway through the first half failed to cause him any real problems.

The Rangers defence seemed to be struggling to cope with Saints and another mistake allowed Higdon to flick the ball wide for Thomson, although his cross was poor - as was Carey's when he retrieved the ball. However when Carey got it back again quickly, he was fouled by Whittaker, who earned himself a yellow card for his trouble. 12 minutes before the break Whittaker played a good ball into the middle of the park that Miller collected before making his way towards goal, but fortunately he ballooned his shot over the bar. Kevin Thomson was lucky not to give away a free-kick for flattening Barron, before Ross charged up to a hesitant Alexander, won the ball and in the process injured the Rangers keeper, although he was able to continue.

The golden chance arrived five minutes before the break and may well haunt Steven Thomson for the rest of his days. Higdon got himself to the byeline, cut the ball back and Thomson pinged the ball towards goal, only for Alexander to boot it away. Barron then went even closer moments later when he unleashed a long range pile-driver that hit the bar before going over. The Rangers response was a shot from McCulloch that drifted wide. Higdon was next to try his luck, out muscling Danny Wilson to get onto Mehmet's flick-on and fire a shot into the side netting, although it appeared to get some help from Alexander's finger-tips.

It had been an excellent first half performance from Saints while Rangers had struggled, but you did wonder if they'd be made to pay for not taking one of their chances. Rangers had been poor and there was surely no way they would play so badly in the second half.

Half-Time: St Mirren 0-0 Rangers

Rangers made one change at the break, Davis being replaced by Old Firm goal hero Maurice Edu.  Inside the first minute of the second period, Rangers forced a free-kick when Novo got the better of Mair before being fouled by the defender, who had to receive treatment and was unable to defend the set-piece. Fortunately it came to nothing, the ball breaking to Kevin Thomson at the edge of the box who fired wide. A fine move almost brought the opener at the other end, Higdon getting the better of Edu before passing back to Murray, who crossed for Ross. He headed the ball into the danger area and Mehmet was able to turn before stretching to shoot, the ball rolling into Alexander's arms.

Rangers had clearly been given a kick up the backside at half time and Miller and Sasa Papac had chances in quick succession that they blazed high into the stand. Things threatened to boil over after that. After a skirmish between Potter and Kevin Thomson, play was allowed to continue before Miller decided to grapple with Mair. When Saints won the ball it found its way to Steven Thomson before he was flattened by namesake Kevin. After a third Thomson, referee Craig, sorted everything out, he had no option but to send the Kevin variety off for the shocking lunge. A few minutes later Mair picked up a booking when he disagreed with a decision to award a free-kick for his foul on Miller. When Novo played the free-kick in, Boyd headed it just wide.

The game certainly had a bit of bite after that - not that it was needing any - and Potter gave away a free-kick for a high challenge on Boyd, this time Edu heading it wide. Immediately the booked Murray was withdrawn, Dorman coming on in his place. It's fair to say the legendary number seven was not impressed with his manager's decision, but considering his earlier caution and the way the game seemed to be going, it was a wise move.

Despite having a man advantage, Saints seemed to struggle in the aftermath of Thomson's dismissal, with Rangers perhaps fired up by a sense of injustice. Further proof of this came when Ross gave away a free-kick for a foul on Edu and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, someone somehow got a body part in the way of Miller's shot from about two yards out. Brady picked up a stupid booking for a silly tug on Miller before another "if only" moment arrived, Barron sending a great pass into the channel for Thomson to run onto before Higdon put the cutback just wide. It was time for another change after that with Craig Dargo introduced, but surprisingly it was semi-final hero Mehmet he replaced.

The striker made an immediate impact. He chased onto a long ball over the top, Wilson pulled him back and suddenly Rangers were down to nine men, referee Craig Thomson wasting no time in showing the young defender a red card. Although Weir was getting back, it was probably the right decision, and was quickly followed by a booking for McCulloch at the other end when he dived under a challenge from Barron. With 11 minutes left Boyd, who the Saints defence had dealt with brilliantly, was withdrawn, with Stevie Naismith - a different type of forward - replacing him.

With seven minutes left, he helped break Saints hearts. Weir played an early pass to Naismith, who had far too much time and space on the right, and when he crossed Miller was there to send a header past the despairing grasp of Gallacher. The Rangers fans, having witnessed their side reduced to nine men, were understandably overjoyed at the Scotland striker's goal - especially as it turned out to be decisive.

Saints brought Stephen O'Donnell on for Brady in a bid to push for an equaliser and the midfielder did have a chance, but it was a tight angle and Alexander wasn't going to be troubled. To shore up the defence, Walter Smith replaced Novo with Steven Smith in the final minute. Ross became the final's final booking for a foul on Whittaker, before Mr Thomson called time on one of the most remarkable cup finals any of us will ever see, either in person or on TV.

It's been a remarkable journey for Saints and it could, perhaps should, have ended in glory. The Buddies couldn't have asked any more from their players, but losing to nine men will stick in the throat for some time - especially as Saints had been the better side for much of the game.

It's now back to the league and the all important bid to beat the drop.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers

St Mirren: Gallacher, Barron, Mair, Potter, Ross, Carey, Murray (Dorman 60), Brady (O'Donnell 85), Thomson, Mehmet (Dargo 70), Higdon.
Subs Not Used: Robb, Howard (GK).

Rangers: Alexander, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Wilson, McCulloch, Davis (Edu 45), Thomson, Boyd (Naismith 79), Novo (Smith 89), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Beasley, McGregor (GK).

Referee: Craig Thomson.

Star Saint: Every player gave their all and more. Garry Brady, a surprise pick in midfield, was excellent but the award goes to Michael Higdon, who was outstanding up front.

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