Stephen Robinson praised Toyosi Olusanya for banishing his Dundee United frustration with a clinical early double as St Mirren beat Queen of the South 3-1 to book their place in the last 16 of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.
The Buddies striker endured a torrid afternoon in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by the Tangerines in the William Hill Premiership as he missed a great chance at 0-0 and then saw a stoppage-time penalty saved by Jack Walton.
Saints boss Robinson was delighted to see his top scorer respond with two close-range finishes in the opening 21 minutes in Dumfries to put his side in control against their League One hosts.
Brennan Dickenson hit back for Queens in the 75th minute before substitute Caolan Boyd-Munce secured the Buddies’ victory with a breakaway goal in stoppage time.
“Toyo’s responded really well,” said Robinson. “He missed a chance last week. He missed a penalty. He showed great character and bravery. For anybody who takes a penalty credit to them, he stepped up. Our penalty taker had gone off at the time.
“For a player, you miss a penalty, you miss a penalty. He’s shown a great response to that with two great goals.
“His movement was excellent and he gave us a comfortable lead.”
Saints, who had lost their previous four league games, were in command until Queens staged a late rally after Dickenson’s strike.
“I thought we were in total control of the game for a large period,” said Robinson. “We started the game really well, started the second half well as well. Then it became a little bit casual, we got a little bit complacent with things.
“Then a little bit of momentum increases (for Queens), especially when we haven’t won games in recent weeks. But I thought the boys managed that well, they deserve a lot of credit for that.”
Queens boss Peter Murphy felt his side should have had a penalty just before St Mirren’s third goal following a challenge by Alex Gogic on Adam Brooks.
“Looking back at the footage, Adam cuts inside and Gogic puts his forearm up and connects with his face,” he said.
“I’d be screaming for it. If it was given against me, I don’t think I’d have any arguments.
“I won’t argue about it now. It is what it is. I thought we were excellent throughout the whole game, we’re a League One side against a top-five Premiership side.
“If we’re going to go out the cup, that’s the way to go out.”
