A Paul Wright hat-trick ensured Kilmarnock took all three points against 10-man St Mirren - despite being a goal down.

Graham Fenton gave Saints a first-half lead when he grabbed his first goal for the Love Street side.

Heavy fog meant the game could have been abandoned a half-time but referee John Underhill ruled that the game could go ahead much to the delight of the home support.

But that joy turned to despair after the interval when Wright's header past goalkeeper Ludovic Roy threw Killie a lifeline.

That was quickly followed the sending off of Paul Rudden. Five minutes from time Wright grabbed a second and completed his hat-trick with a last minute penalty.

Despite heavy fog, this game was allowed to go ahead but icy conditions on the pitch meant both sides struggled to create much in the opening minutes.

St Mirren were boosted by the return of goalkeeper Ludovic Roy - who had recovered from a length groin injury - and he was called into action after eight minutes.

Kilmarnock striker Craig Dargo unleashed an effort that was blocked by the Frenchman before sweeper Tommy Turner cleared.

But it was the home side who took the advantage. Scott Walker's long through ball found Graham Fenton. The former Leicester striker beat the offside trap before taking the ball round goalkeeper Gordon Marshall and slotting home his first goal for the Paisley club.

The opener seemed to boost Saints and Ricky Gilles could have grabbed the second after 22 minutes.

Maikel Renfurm sent a cross to the former Aberdeen player who unleashed a powerful effort only to see the ball slide wide of the post.

As the fog grew thicker, it was becoming more difficult for each side to put pressure on their respective opposite goals but Dargo's inswinging cross into the box after half an hour could have provided the leveller had it been picked up by the awaiting Killie players.

Instead the ball was scrambled to safety by Roy and the chance for Kilmarnock to equalise was lost.

But St Mirren were looking like the better side and Tom Brown could have doubled their advantage two minutes before the break but his on-rushing header was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Despite shouts of "What a waste of money" from the Kilmarnock support, the fog lifted dramatically during the interval and referee John Underhill ruled that the game could continue.

That decision proved popular with the St Mirren supporters who had found out that rock-bottom Dundee United - and nearest league rivals - were 3-0 down at Tannadice.

But Saints received a blow 10 minutes after the break when scorer Fenton looked like he had picked up an injury and he was replaced by Steven McGarry.

This was followed by a promising period for Killie and Andy McLaren could have snatched the leveller after 56 minutes when he burst into the box but was blocked by Turner before he could pull the trigger.

But he was threatening again a minute later and this time his shot deflected off Paul Rudden and fell wide.

Gary Holt was next to try his luck when he went on a superb solo run only to pull the shot wide.

McGarry had the chance to make an impact for Saints when he almost set up Brown for the second but he drilled wide.

But it was Killie who had the ball in the net next. Holt sent the ball through to Paul Wright who bulleted a header past Roy in 66 minutes.

In 70 minutes St Mirren were hit with another blow when Rudden was ordered off.

The referee judged that the Saints player tripped last man Dargo just outside the box when he was clear on goal. McLaren stepped up for the free-kick but it deflected over the crossbar.

Kilmarnock took full advantage of their extra man and piled the pressure on the St Mirren goal.

And with just five minutes to go, Wright grabbed his second when he fired home a McLaren pass to steal the three points.

But right on the full-time whistle, Walker brought down Peter Canero inside the box and the Killie striker stepped up to complete his hat-trick.

St Mirren: Roy, Turner, Barry McLaughlin (Rudden 46), Walker, Nicolson, Murray, Brown, Gillies, Bowman, Fenton (McGarry 56), Renfurm (Kerr 77).

Subs Not Used: Yardley, Trialist..

Sent Off: Rudden (69).

Booked: Barry McLaughlin.

Goals: Fenton 14.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux, Hay, Holt, Mahood, Davidson (Cocard 63), Wright, Dargo, McLaren.

Subs Not Used: Baker, Fowler, Innes, Meldrum.

Booked: McLaren, Mahood.

Goals: Wright 66, 85, 90 pen.

Att: 5,649

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).