Gretna's relegation from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League was confirmed after the crisis-hit club lost 2-0 to St Mirren at Love Street.

Craig Dargo and Billy Mehmet scored for the home side as Gretna, whose administrators made 22 players redundant in midweek, avoided a humiliating result.

But they face a future in the Scottish Football League, if they can avoid going out of business this summer.

Going into administration earlier this month meant Gretna were deducted 10 points, and with seven games of their first SPL campaign remaining they have just six points.

Ben Wilkinson started as a lone striker in a cobbled-together Gretna side while Nicky Deverdics slotted into the hole in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

St Mirren had selection problems of their own, having to call in a makeshift defence as David van Zanten, Franco Miranda and David Barron were all missing through injury.

Alan Reid, Ian Maxwell and Garry Brady returned to the home side's starting line-up, as Craig Dargo and Jim Hamilton spearheaded their 3-5-2.

St Mirren were the first to threaten when Jim Hamilton's half-chance was blasted just wide in the ninth minute.

Gretna centre-back Daniel Hall nearly shocked the hosts when his header, following a flapped clearance by Chris Smith, looped beyond the St Mirren defence and fell just off target.

In windy conditions that suited neither side it was Gretna who settled more comfortably.

In the 27th minute a 30-yard free-kick from Andy Dorman drew the first save from Gretna goalkeeper Greg Fleming who parried the thunderous effort away.

Moments later Dargo scored his first goal for St Mirren when he coolly scored from seven yards.

It was no more than the former Inverness man deserved as his work rate in recent weeks had merited better luck in front of goal.

In the 32nd minute Dargo nearly doubled his tally and his team's lead with a cheeky lob which beat Fleming but dipped too late and then fell behind for a goal kick.

Seconds later Dargo hit a post with a clever right-footed strike, leaving Fleming helpless but the woodwork denied him.

St Mirren finished the half stronger, seemingly happy for their midfield to sit deep and hit Gretna on the break with some regularity.

Gretna made a change at the break with Craig Barr replacing Ben Wilkinson.

Barr slotted into midfield with Kyle Naughton pushing forward into the striker's role.

Dorman came close after 49 minutes as Fleming did well, narrowing the angle and saving with his feet.

From the resulting corner a scramble ensued and Billy Mehmet converted a chance from 10 yards, hitting a low shot into the net via the post to give St Mirren a 2-0 advantage.

Brendan McGill had a great chance to pull one back for the Borderers, but to the despair of the small group of travelling supporters behind the goal he failed to connect as he looked to head home.

Gretna kept going at St Mirren but the introduction of John Paul Kissock, who replaced Daniel Hall, did little to turn their possession into real chances.

In the 70th minute St Mirren brought on Stewart Kean for Jim Hamilton who moments earlier had watched his header crash off the crossbar.

With 12 minutes left the lively Kissock went on a mazy run, ghosting past two St Mirren players and homing in on goal, but he eventually ran out of steam and the ball rolled out of play.

As the clock ticked down Kean had a golden chance to make it 3-0 as he found himself with time and space in the box, but his shot was well blocked by Fleming.

Teams:

St Mirren Smith, Reid, Potter, Haining (McAusland 79),Maxwell (Docherty 61), Dargo, Murray, Dorman, Brady,Hamilton (Kean 70), Mehmet.

Subs Not Used: Howard, Brittain, Corcoran, McGinn.

Goals: Dargo 27, Mehmet 49.

Gretna Fleming, Naughton, Skelton, Hall (Kissock 56), Meynell,McGill, Baldacchino (Taylor 68), Osman, Murray,Wilkinson (Barr 46), Deverdics.

Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Hogg, Griffiths, Schultz-Eklund.

Booked: Skelton.

Gretna are relegated

Att: 3,577

Ref: D Somers (Scotland).