A dramatic final few minutes saw 10 man St Mirren snatch a victory over Livingston at the SMiSA Stadium and move into third place in the cinch Premiership.

Keanu Baccus scored his second Saints goal around 20 minutes from time to put the Buddies ahead before Jonah Ayunga was shown a straight red card seven minutes later and Livingston were awarded a penalty. Ex-Saint Sean Kelly missed from 12 yards, but Livingston would find equalise on 86 minutes through Bruce Anderson. It looked like the 10 men would have to accept a point only for substitute Alex Greive to score in the final minute of normal time to secure all three points for Stephen Robinson's men.

The manager was forced into a reshuffle from the side that defeated Celtic before the international break with Curtis Main ruled out and Ryan Strain only fit enough for a place on the bench. That meant Alex Gogic and Greg Kiltie started in place of the two, while Eamonn Brophy dropped out of the squad with an injury.

A scrappy first-half saw very little in the way of goalmouth opportunities. Gogic shot wide on eight minutes in his first start since returning to the club on a permanent basis after Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George has failed to clear from a corner, while Scott Pittman saw an effort for the visitors saved by the feet of Trevor Carson. 

The second-half was much the same, but burst into life with a little over 20 minutes to go when Baccus headed St Mirren ahead. The Australian - fresh from his first Socceroos cap last Sunday - rose above Stephane Omeonga to meet a lovely cross from substitute Ryan Flynn and nod beyond George. 

But that was just the start of what would prove to be a dramatic end to what had - until that point - been a scrappy affair. 

Jonah Ayunga was given his marching orders on 75 minutes when referee Craig Napier ruled that the forward has blocked Anderson's effort with his hand. Ex-St Mirren Academy graduate Sean Kelly stepped up to take from 12 yards but fired over to the delight of the SMiSA Stadium. 

It felt like maybe this was going to be St Mirren's day - only for Anderson to get his head on the end of a terrific cross from Joel Nouble and guide into the back of the net on 86 minutes.

Yet there was still time for more late drama. Saints felt they could have had a penalty in the final minute of normal time when Declan Gallagher's header looked to have come off a Livingston arm. Only a corner was awarded, but Scott Tanser's delivery was forced on by Joe Shaughnessy and Greive was there to turn the defender and force home to secure all three points for the 10 men. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-1 Livingston

St Mirren: Carson, Gallagher, Gogic (Strain 60, Flynn 67), Dunne, Fraser, Baccus (Shaughnessy 75), Erhahon, O'Hara (c), Tanser, Kiltie (Greive 59), Ayunga
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Taylor, Reid, Henderson

Livingston: George, Devlin, Obileye, Sean Kelly (Shinnie 81), Bahamboula, Omeonga (Stephen Kelly 72), Pittman, Holt, Penrice (Anderson 72), Nouble, Guthrie
Subs Not Used: Konovalov, Hamilton, Brandon, Cancar, Boyes, Longridge

Referee: Craig Napier 
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Chris Rae
Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane

Attendance: 5,366

An inspired Saints performance saw us defeat Celtic 2-0 at the SMiSA Stadium and inflict a first league defeat on the Champions in almost a year.  

It was our first home win against the Bhoys since a famous 4-0 victory in 2010 with Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga scoring either side of half-time to ensure another memorable result for the Paisley Saints. Scott Tanser returned to the starting line-up in place of Richard Tait in Stephen Robinson's only change from the side that faced St Johnstone two weeks ago.

Saints were organised and looked to threaten Celtic on the counter with Ayunga playing a dangerous looking ball across the face of the Celtic goal early on with no one in the black and white there to attack it.

The closest Celtic came was through ex-Saint Aaron Mooy when he curled over the bar from 20 yards on 12 minutes. The visitors dominated the possession but did little to trouble the solid Saints defence. 

With the interval fast approaching St Mirren would take the lead on 43 minutes. Ryan Strain hanged a terrific ball up to the back post to meet O'Hara who had charged in ahead of his marker to bullet home. 

O'Hara bulleted home the header to put us in front (Image: Jeff Holmes) 

Less than 10 minutes into the second 45 Saints doubled their lead. Celtic couldn't clear a long throw-in from Declan Gallagher which allowed Curtis Main to flick on for Ayunga to nod in a second and send the SMiSA Stadium into raptures. 

O'Hara could have had a second - and a third for the Buddies - 10 minutes later but he headed wide from close range.

As would have been expected Celtic made a number of changes as they searched for some route back into the match and one of their substitutes, Giorgios Giakoumakis, should have pulled a goal back for the visitors but sent his point-blank header straight at Trevor Carson. 

For all Celtic's possession in the final stages Saints were more than comfortable as they saw the game out to claim a fully deserved three points. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Celtic

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher, Dunne, Strain (Gogic 72), Baccus, Erhahon, O'Hara (c), Tanser (Tait 68), Ayunga (Kiltie 80), Main
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Shaughnessy, Flynn, Henderson, Greive, Brophy

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Jenz, Welsh, Taylor (O'Riley 75), McGregor (c), Turnbull (Giakoumakis 57), Mooy (Hatate 46), Abada (Haksabanovic 57), Kyogo, Maeda (Jota 46)
Subs Not Used: Siegrist, Bernabei, Abilgaard, Forrest

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson

St Mirren's winning run came to an end as the the Buddies lost 3-0 at St Johnstone. 

Nicky Clark scored in the first-half to give the Perth Saints the initiative before goals from Drey Wright and Graham Carey secured the points for the home side.

Stephen Robinson had went with the same starting eleven that had defeated Hibernian and Dundee United, with Scott Tanser returning to the bench after injury. 

A scrappy opening period saw little opportunities though Jonah Ayunga knocked just wide after getting on to a Curtis Main cross on 15 minutes.

St Johnstone were seeing more of the ball in opening exchanges minutes and took advantage on 25 minutes with Nicky Clark scoring on his debut for the Perth side. The ball fell to the forward at the back post and he made no mistake from just a few yards out to put the home side ahead. 

Saints almost had a big opportunity to draw level when Ayunga found Main in plenty of space but the touch was heavy which allowed Alex Mitchell to recover and clear the danger.

St Mirren were looking more lively early in second 45 but didn't create anything clear cut which prompted the manager to make a triple substitution just before the hour mark. Scott Tanser, Jay Henderson and Eamonn Brophy replaced Richard Tait, Ryan Strain and Curtis Main. But within a minute of the changes Melker Hallberg went close to doubling the home side's advantage when he curled inches over from 20 yards.

St Johnstone would make it two on 66 minutes when Adam Montgomery got to the byline and cut-back for Drey Wright who slammed into the net from close-range. 

St Mirren could have pulled one back with 16 minutes remaining when the ball fell kindly to Declan Gallagher at the back post, but the defender didn't catch it properly and dragged wide. Two minutes later Saints were agonisingly close to reducing the deficit when Tanser headed off the bar before Ayunga hit the post on the follow-up. 

The Buddies were committing bodies forward in the hope of finding a way back into the game, but those hopes were extinguished when St Johnstone put the seal on the victory with just four minutes of normal time remaining. Marcus Fraser was penalised for a challenge on Connor McLennan in the penalty box and ex-Saint Graham Carey slammed home from 12 yards to give the Perth side a 3-0 win at McDiarmid Park. 

Full-Time: St Johnstone 3-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher, Dunne, Strain (Henderson 59), Baccus, Erhahon (Greive 70), O'Hara (c), Tait (Tanser 59), Ayunga, Main (Brophy 59)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Shaughnessy, Gogic, Flynn, Kiltie

St Johnstone: Matthews, Wright, McGowan, Mitchell, Considine, Montgomery, Hallberg (Gordon 83), Carey, Murphy (Bair 77), May (McLennan 77), Clark (Phillips 77)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Kucheriavyi, Crawford, O'Halloran, Brown

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: David Doig
Fourth Official: Scott Lambie

Saints made it three wins on the spin as a goal from a land down under proved enough to see off Hibs in Paisley.

Anyone who was late missed the decisive moment as the only goal arrived within six minutes. Ryan Strain showed great ability to find himself acres of space and he made full use of it, delivering a wonderful cross for fellow Aussie Keanu Baccus to slot home from close range.

While Hibs had a few chances – Elie Youan missing the best of them - it could have been a far more comfortable victory as Saints squandered some late opportunities – Eamonn Brophy hitting the post before firing over while Baccus was inches away from getting his second in the final minute.

Unsurprisingly, Saints boss Stephen Robinson stuck with the same side that had thumped Dundee United a week earlier, meaning the returning Alex Gogic had to make do with a place on the bench. One-time Buddie Jake Doyle-Hayes started for the visitors, whose attack was spearheaded by Christian Doidge.

Hibs may have started brightly but it was Saints who showed early cutting edge, scoring with their very first attack. Strain's cross from the right was just begging for someone to run onto it and smash it home and Baccus duly obliged, side-footing away his first goal since arriving in Paisley in the summer.

Keanu Baccus celebrates with provider Ryan Strain (Image: Allan Picken)

Chances were few and far between despite both sides being more than willing to get both the ball and bodies forward, Chris Cadden sending a header miles wide of the Saints goal the pick of a rather poor crop. A fine touch allowed Curtis Main to bring the ball down in a decent position but his shot was always going well wide.

The same couldn't be said for Doidge's glancing header, the striker looking to have sent Ryan Porteous' cross into the bottom corner only for the ball to flash past the post. Mark O'Hara went even closer at the other end, arriving unmarked to meet Marcus Fraser's cross but the Saints skipper's header was parried away by David Marshall. There were scares in the Saints defence just before the break, Carson just getting to the ball before Doidge after Charles Dunne was short with a pass before Elie Youan fired into the side netting moments later.

Hibs should have been level moments after hostilities resumed. The home defence couldn't stop a cross making its way to the unmarked Youan at the back post but he failed to make a clean connection and the ball trickled agonisingly across goal, the Hibs fans in the stand unable to suck it over the line. The chance still gave the visitors a lift, Carson doing well to turn behind Joe Newell's low drive before Richard Tait blocked a shot from Cadden.

Main headed over from Erhahon's free-kick before Cadden got the better of both Tait and O'Hara to send in a teasing ball that was just beyond the outstretched toe of Doidge. Jonah Ayunga's last involvement before being replaced by Brophy was to deliver a great cross that Main fired inches wide. It looked like the striker's first involvement had doubled Saints' lead as great work by Main got Brophy in behind the visiting defence, only for his shot to beat Marshall but not the woodwork as it hit the far post, rolled along the line and into the arms of the grateful Hibs keeper.

As Hibs pushed for an equaliser, Saints were being reduced to threatening on the counter attack. Dunne broke forward from defence and then sent Baccus away but this time he shot over from the edge of the box. He went closer a few minutes later when his shot was deflected wide after Hibs failed to clear their lines.

Gogic was handed his return when he replaced Ethan Erhahon and headed a late corner well wide before Brophy should have wrapped things up in stoppage time, robbing the dithering Porteous on the touchline and charging towards goal before blazing a shot well over. An even better chance arrived right at the death when Brophy played in Baccus, the midfielder having the whole goal to aim at but he shot narrowly wide. Thankfully, it proved to be the last kick of the game as Saints picked up both a third successive win and clean sheet.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Hibernian

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher, Dunne, Strain, Baccus, Erhahon (Gogic 79), O'Hara (c), Tait, Ayunga (Brophy 67), Main (Kiltie 76)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Shaughnessy, Flynn, Henderson, Offord, Greive

Hibernian: Marshall, Cadden (Miller 87), Porteous, Hanlon, Cabraja (Stevenson 70), Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Campbell (Henderson 70), Boyle, Youan (Melkersen 57), Doidge (Bojang 87)
Subs Not Used: Schofield, Kenneh, Jair, McGregor

Referee: Graham Grainger
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Kevin Clancy 

Attendance: 5,343

St Mirren made it two wins from two as Curtis Main's double as well as a late Alex Greive strike saw Saints defeat Dundee United.

Main scored either side of half-time to have the Buddies deservedly ahead before Greive put the seal on the victory at Tannadice in stoppage time as Saints left the City of Discovery with all three points.

Stephen Robinson made two changes to the side that defeated Ross County last weekend with Declan Gallagher coming back in from suspension in place of skipper Joe Shaughnessy with Mark O'Hara picking up the captain's armband as he replaced Greg Kiltie. 

Saints were right at it from the off and almost took the lead inside the opening minute when a perfect cross from the right side found Jonah Ayunga who nodded just wide. 

Keanu Baccus went close on nine minutes when he perfectly caught a volley 20 yards from goal. It was viciously struck with United captain Ryan Edwards denying the goal-bound effort with his head. 

Then O'Hara had a great opportunity to put St Mirren ahead on the half-hour mark. Ayunga did brilliantly to pick out Ryan Strain with a cross-field pass and the Australian cushioned the header into the path of O'Hara whose low curled effort from the edge of the area was pushed away by United goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson. 

Saints were denied a stonewall penalty two minutes later when Aziz Behich handled in the box. It was as clear as penalty as you're likely to see and should have led to a second yellow for the United man, but nothing was given. 

It looked like the Arabs were starting to come into the game more as it approached half-time with Trevor Carson forced into a big save on 38 minutes when he tipped a Glenn Middleton free-kick over. 

But St Mirren would take the lead with five minutes of the half remaining. O'Hara drove forward with his pass reaching Main via the aid of a deflection off Dylan Levitt. The striker broke into the box and fired beyond Eriksson to put Saints ahead. 

Main then got his and St Mirren's second just six minutes into the second-half. O'Hara was involved again when he found Ayunga and the striker weaved his way into the box before finding Main who slammed high into the net for his third goal in his last six matches. 

Curtis Main fires into the net to put St Mirren 2-0 ahead (Image: Andy Barr)

Saints looked for a quickfire third with O'Hara denied by an Eriksson save just three minutes after the second goal. 

Carson made a brilliant save with a little under 15 minutes remaining to keep St Mirren two in-front. The Northern Ireland international got a strong hand to turn away substitute Ilmari Niskanen's effort. But that was as close as United would come with Saints comfortable and restricting the home side to very little opportunities.

Greive - who had only come on minutes before - wrapped up the win in the dying moments in a move that involved all the substitutes. The New Zealand forward raced on to Brophy's pass and poked home from distance after getting ahead of onrushing goalkeeper Eriksson who had raced out of the box to try and deny the striker. 

Full-Time: Dundee United 0-3 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher, Dunne, Strain, Baccus (Kiltie 72), Erhahon, O'Hara (c), Tait, Ayunga (Brophy 77), Main (Greive 87)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Shaughnessy, Flynn, Reid, Henderson, Offord

Dundee United: Eriksson, Smith, Mulgrew, Edwards (c), Behich (Niskanen 61), Middleton, Levitt, Harkes, McGrath (Cudjoe 46), Watt (Clark 61), Fletcher
Subs Not Used: Birighitti, McMann, Graham, Sibbald, Meekison, Freeman

Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

Attendance: 7,540 (474 away supporters)

On a sizzler of a day in Paisley, it was appropriate that a scorcher of a goal gave Saints a well-deserved first win of the season against Ross County.

The deciding moment came early in the second half from a perhaps unlikely source. As the ball rolled out of the Staggies box, Richard Tait strolled onto it and sent a tremendous shot into the top corner.

Saints had been the better side to that point and could already have been in front, Jonah Ayunga hitting the post in the first half. Unsurprisingly, County rallied after falling behind with Owura Edwards heading against the same post before Trevor Carson made a late save to deny Olaigbe and secure the victory.

Both sides went into this one looking for their first points of the season and it was the Buddies who made the brighter start, Ryan Strain fashioning a chance for himself but failing to find the target from 20 yards before sending in a tantalising cross that Curtis Main couldn't quite get on the end of. Moments later Keanu Baccus did brilliantly to win the ball back and play in Jonah Ayunga, the forward getting in a shot from the edge of the box that got the better of keeper Ross Laidlaw but not the woodwork as it smacked the far post and bounced away.

Ross County hadn't threatened at all in the opening half hour but it needed good tackling from Charles Dunne to keep out Owura Edwards and Dominic Samuel as the visitors made rare attacks. Edwards had a better chance at the end of some neat County passing but could only kick the ball off his face before it was cleared behind for a corner. Saints could have been in front just before the break, Strain releasing Baccus to burst through to the edge of the box but he couldn't keep his shot down and Laidlaw watched it sail a yard or two over the bar.

The Buddies continued on the front foot in the second half and took the lead in spectacular fashion. Baccus won possession and again charge forward but opted to pass rather than shoot. His team-mates seemed to be in a similar quandary as the ball bounced around the box before falling to Richard Tait 20 yards from goal. He was in no doubt about what to do and curled a tremendous first time shot beyond the reach of Laidlaw into the top corner.

Eamonn Brophy and Mark O'Hara replaced Main and Greg Kiltie before Ayunga fired over from the edge of the box. As the clock ticked down Joe Shaugnessey's header from Strain's corner was easy for Laidlaw – probably a relief for the County keeper after his mis-control had given away the set-piece in the first place. Opposite number Trevor Carson had virtually been a spectator all afternoon but was finally called into action with just a couple of minutes, reacting brilliantly to keep out Olaibe's deflected shot. It was to prove the Staggies' final chance, Saints comfortably seeing out stoppage time to pick up a fully merited three points.

Richard Tait celebrates after his stunning strike gave Saints the lead (Image: Allan Picken)

County initially struggled to muster a response but should have been level after an hour when a wonderful cross from Callum Johnson found the unmarked Owura but his diving header rattled the post, much to the relief of the home support. The Staggies were beginning to get into gear, Josh Sims seeing a shot blocked before sub Jordan White sent the rebound over the bar. The pressure continued with a series of corners that eventually ended when Ross Callachan sent a shot well wide of the far post.

Eamonn Brophy and Mark O'Hara replaced Main and Greg Kiltie before Ayunga fired over from the edge of the box. As the clock ticked down Joe Shaugnessey's header from Strain's corner was easy for Laidlaw – probably a relief for the County keeper after his mis-control had given away the set-piece in the first place. Opposite number Trevor Carson had virtually been a spectator all afternoon but was finally called into action with just a couple of minutes, reacting brilliantly to keep out Olaigbe's deflected shot. It was to prove the Staggies' final chance, Saints comfortably seeing out stoppage time to pick up a fully merited three points.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Ross County

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain, Baccus, Erhahon (Flynn 87), Kiltie (O'Hara 69), Tait, Ayunga (Greive 90), Main (Brophy 69)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Kenny, Henderson, Olusanya, Offord

Ross County: Laidlaw, Johnson, Baldwin, Iacovitti, Purrington (Harmon 46), Cancola (Dhanda 77), Callachan, Owura, Sims (Paton 86), D.Samuel (White 46), Hiwula (Olaigbe 59)
Subs Not Used: Eastwood, Loturi, Watson, Tillson

Referee: Grant Irvine
Assistant Referee: David Roome
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Don Robertson

Attendance: 4,557 

St Mirren B were knocked out of the SPFL Trust Trophy after losing 4-2 on penalties to East Stirlingshire.

Neither side could be separated in 90 minutes and despite Fraser Taylor and Toyosi Olusanya netting from the spot the Saints were defeated. 

After a fairly tepid first 45 the game sprung to life in the second-half. Scott Honeyman had two big opportunities to give the visitors the lead. First, on 53 minutes, the East Stirlingshire man shot into the arms of Kenzie Smyth from close-range. The Saints goalkeeper then made a terrific one-handed to push away Honeyman's attempt from distance. 

Olusanya should have put St Mirren ahead five minutes later when he was the recipient of a Kieran Offord cut-back, but the Saints forward shot straight at Ross Connelly in the Shire goal. Substitute Gavin Gallagher was inches away from opening the scoring on 66 minutes with his strike flying inches over from 20 yards. 

10 minutes later a good run from Offord looked like it might yield the first goal but he struck the side-netting. 

The visitors were denied by a brilliant Smyth save from Kenny Barr heading into the final 10 minutes, while Luke Kenny made an incredible goal-saving challenge in the closing moments to ensure the game ended goalless. 

Penalties were needed to decide the game, but Offord and Jay Henderson had their spot-kicks saved by Shire goalkeeper Ross Connelly and the away side made no mistake with their efforts to progress to the second round. 

Full-Time: St Mirren B 0-0 East Stirlingshire (East Stirlingshire win 4-2 on penalties)

St Mirren: Smyth, Henderson, Gilmartin, Thomson, Kenny, Campbell, Reid, Taylor (c), Brophy (Gallagher 46), Offord, Olusanya
Subs Not Used: Gaffney, Sutherland, Foster, Phinn

East Stirlingshire: Connelly, Clocherty (Ewing 90), Brown, Coutts, Greene (c), Fotheringham (Sludden 80), Honeyman (Allan 80), Kay, Kirkpatrick (Wilson 80), Barr, Watson (Hodge 71)
Subs Not Used: Shira, McDonald, Ure

Referee: Chris Fordyce
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: Jamie Andrews

10-men St Mirren endured a tough afternoon at Pittodrie as we were beaten in Aberdeen. 

Declan Gallagher was sent off after just 22 minutes following two yellow cards and Aberdeen took full advantage to go 3-0 up at half-time. Saints dug in and pulled a goal back early in the second-half, but substitute Luis Lopes added a fourth as the Dons picked up all three points. 

There were three changes to the side that lost narrowly to Motherwell last week. Scott Tanser and Mark O'Hara missed out through injury to be replaced by Richard Tait and Greg Kiltie, while Curtis Main made his first start of the season in place of Alex Greive. 

Saints had started fairly well with Kelle Roos having to get a strong hand to push away a Main ball across the face of goal with a Dons defender getting a toe in just before Ayunga could get on the rebound. Before that Gallagher had been booked for a late challenge on ex-Saint Hayden Coulson who had to be substituted after being injured in the tackle.

10 minutes later the Buddies defender was given his marching orders for a second yellow. Vicente Besuijen cracked the post from 20 yards and Gallagher was adjudged to have blocked Liam Scales' follow-up attempt with his hand. Bojan Miovski stepped up to notch the resulting penalty into the net to give Aberdeen the lead. 

Aberdeen took control of the match after the red card and threatened a second with Scales heading just inches wide on two occasions. The Dons - and Miovski - would get their second with eight minutes of the first-half remaining. The forward scored again as he nipped in ahead of Trevor Carson and Charles Dunne to divert a low Jonny Hayes cross into the net.  

The home side added a third on the stroke of half-time in spectacular fashion. Miovski, looking for his hat-trick, was denied by a good block from Carson. Matty Kennedy was first on to it and played the ball back to Aberdeen debutant Leighton Clarkson who fired a stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards. 

Stephen Robinson made a change at half-time with Ryan Flynn introduced in place of Curtis Main. 

After Carson made another decent stop to Miovski his hat-trick, Saints started working their way into the game with Keanu Baccus shooting wide from 20 yards after a good counter from Kiltie. And the Buddies would pull a goal back through Ayunga from the penalty spot on 53 minutes. Jonny Hayes fouled Kiltie in the Dons box and Ayunga scored from 12 yards to net his fifth St Mirren goal since joining from Morecambe in the summer. 

Jonah Ayunga pulled a goal back for Saints from the penalty spot to score his fifth goal for Saints (Image: AFC Media)

But Aberdeen still had the man advantage and looked to make that count with Carson making two big saves on the hour mark to keep the deficit at two. The Northern Ireland international blocked Miovski's effort before getting a strong hand on a powerful strike from Besuijen. 

Aberdeen would have to end the match with 10 men also with Callum Roberts going off injured on 82 minutes after the Dons had made all their stoppages. But any hopes of Saints pulling a second goal back to make the final minutes interesting were extinguished when Lopes broke the offside trap and deftly lifted the ball over Carson on 87 minutes to see the game end 4-1 to the hosts. 

Full-Time: Aberdeen 4-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Gallagher, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain (Taylor 90), Baccus (Greive 78), Erhahon, Kiltie, Tait, Ayunga (Brophy 78), Main (Flynn 46)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Reid, Henderson, Olusanya, Offord

Aberdeen: Roos, Richardson, Scales, Stewart, Coulson (Clarkson 12), Kennedy (Roberts 63), McCrorie, Ramadani, Hayes (Lopes 72), Besuijen, Miovski (Ramirez 72)
Subs Not Used: Lewis, Watkins, Polvara, Duncan, Milne

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Calum Scott

Attendance: 14,420

Saints somehow ended their cinch Premiership opener with no goals and no points to show for their efforts against Motherwell.

A large part of the lack of goals was down to visiting goalie Liam Kelly. He made a tremendous one-handed save to deny Jonah Ayunga in the first half, then produced one almost as good in the second to keep out Curtis Main. Ayunga, Main and Ryan Strain also had chances but Saints just couldn't find a way through – even when they were handed a man advantage late on after Ricki Lamie was sent off for a shocking tackle.

The lack of points was down to a moment just before half-time. Blair Spittal launched a shot towards goal that thumped into Scott Tanser, who was deemed to have used his hands. Kevin van Veen scored what proved to be the game's only goal from the spot.

A new season inevitably means new players with no less than six of the Saints starting line-up making their first league appearance for the Buddies. Trevor Carson started in goal with Declan Gallagher, Keanu Baccus, Mark O'Hara, Ryan Strain and Jonah Ayunga also making the cut. Former Buddie Paul McGinn started in defence for the visitors with Liam Kelly – brother of ex Saint Sean – in goals.

It was a cagey start from both teams, Saints skipper Joe Shaughnessy volleying over from a Keanu Baccus throw before Motherwell's Sean Goss strode forward from midfield only to drag his long range effort well wide. With barely a quarter of an hour gone Motherwell were forced into a change when Paul McGinn came off worse in a challenge with Mark O'Hara and had to be replaced by Stephen O'Donnell. O'Hara continued – after a change of shirt until half-time, when he was replaced by Ryan Flynn.

There had been little of note to get excited about but that was about to change as Saints went hunting an opener. A tremendous ball over the top from Baccus saw Jonah Ayunga get in between Ricki Lamie and Sondre Solhom Johansen and through on goal, but after taking a touch with his head to get the ball under control he then blazed it well over the bar. The pressure continued and moments later Ryan Strain shot over from close range after being teed up by O'Hara.

If those wasted chances were down to poor finishing, it was incredible goalkeeping that denied the Buddies next. Strain delivered an inviting cross to the back post and Ayunga powerfully headed it towards goal only for Liam Kelly to produce a tremendous one-handed save to keep it out before then managing to stop Alex Greive forcing it home.

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly was in inspired form as he denied Saints on numerous occasions (Image: Allan Picken)

The fact Saints should have been ahead made what happened a few minutes before the break even more painful. A Motherwell corner was headed out as far as Spittal, who thumped it towards goal. Scott Tanser blocked it – and ref John Beaton decided he had handled it, wasting no time in pointing to the spot. The incensed defender was booked before Kevin van Veen sent Trevor Carson the wrong way from a spot to put Motherwell into the lead at the break.

It proved to be Tanser's last involvement of note as early in the second half he suffered a muscle injury and had to be replaced by Richard Tait. Saints had made a positive start to the second half and had another decent chance when Tait's was was diverted to Strain but he fired over. At the other end Goss curled one over from long range before tumbling to the ground rather easily inside the box and was deservedly booked.

The hardworking Greive was replaced by Curtis Main and he almost turned provider against his old club, delivering an inviting cross that Baccus headed straight at Kelly. It was Main's turn to get onto the end of a cross next time, heading wide from Strain's delivery, before only the attentions of Declan Gallagher stopped 'Well sub Joseph Efford from doubling his side's lead and surely putting the game out of sight.

Instead, Saints should have been level moments later when Main headed Tait's cross towards the bottom corner only for Kelly to produce his second tremendous save of the afternoon and keep his side in front. Ayunga had a shot deflected narrowly wide as Saints continued to push.

It had been an exciting afternoon but things got really explosive 10 minutes from the end. Lamie went through the back of Baccus just outside the Motherwell box and was shown a straight red, with Ayunga and Barry Maguire both being booked for their involvement in the scuffle that followed. The free-kick was in a good position and Main hit the target but Kelly was able to palm it away. An Ayunga header a couple of minutes from time was easier to deal with and the visitors comfortably saw their way through five minutes of stoppage time - despite being a man down – to take all three points.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Motherwell

St Mirren: Carson, Gallagher, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain (Henderson 73), Baccus, Erhahon, O'Hara (Flynn 46), Tanser (Tait 52), Greive (Main 62), Ayunga
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Fraser, Reid, Brophy, Offord

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn (O'Donnell 20), Solholm, Lamie, Carroll, Maguire, Goss (Speirs 68), Spittal (Cornelius 62), Morris (Efford 68), Shields, Van Veen (Mugabi 85)
Subs Not Used: Fox, Tierney, Mahon, Ferrie 

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official: Graham Grainger

Attendance: 5,668

St Mirren closed off their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over FC Edinburgh. 

First-half goals from Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga had Saints 2-0 ahead at the break. Ayunga grabbed his second as he made it three less than a minute after the restart. Danny Handling pulled one back for the visitors, but there was no danger of the Buddies surrendering the lead in the final Group E game. 

Keanu Baccus was given his St Mirren debut in place of the suspended Greg Kiltie, while Richard Tait, Joe Shaughnessy and Ryan Strain came in for Marcus Fraser, Scott Tanser and Toyosi Olusanya. 

It took Saints just eight minutes to hit the front when O'Hara netted from the penalty spot. Ayunga was fouled by Robbie McIntyre and O'Hara sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards to give Saints an early lead.

Mark O'Hara celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot (Image: Allan Picken)

The Buddies had an appeal for another penalty just two minutes later when Baccus went down in a similar area to Ayunga but the referee said no on that occasion. 

Ayunga had the ball in the net on 16 minutes when he brilliantly met a cross from the right but his header was ruled out by the offside flag. The forward wouldn't be denied nine minutes later though as he doubled St Mirren's lead. A lovely through pass from Ethan Erhahon found Baccus charging into the box and the Australian picked out Ayunga with a low pass across the face of goal. The Saints striker knocked beyond FC Edinburgh goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom to score his third goal for the Buddies. 

Ayunga - who netted a double last weekend against Cowdenbeath - almost got his second on 32 minutes, but was denied by a strong hand from Ramsbottom who was at full-stretch to turn the forward's strike from 20 yards wide. 

Australian midfielder Baccus was impressing in his first Saints appearance and he nearly grabbed a debut goal on 35 minutes after driving into the box before clipping just by the post. 

The visitors tested Peter Urminsky late in the half with the Slovakian goalkeeper down well to hold Innes Murray's close-range effort. 

Saints made the perfect start to the second 45 as Ayunga scored his second just 46 seconds after the restart. The striker headed Tait's cross from the left and while Ramsbottom got a hand to it he couldn't keep it out the net. 

FC Edinburgh pulled a goal back when a long pass from Kieran MacDonald picked out Handling who had managed to get clear of the Saints defence before finishing from 20 yards. 

Stephen Robinson was able to give St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Fraser Taylor his first-team debut as he replaced Baccus. And the 19-year-old midfielder looked to make an immediate impact when he arrived late in the box to meet am Alex Greive cross on 75 minutes, but he headed over. Taylor was unlucky again six minutes later after brilliantly bringing the ball down his chest with his volley blocked by the FC Edinburgh defence.

Callum Crane should have added a second for FC Edinburgh on 82 minutes when he blasted high over the bar from inside the Saints box. 

Saints had a number of opportunities to add a fourth in the final minutes of Greive was denied his first goal of the season when Ramsbottom made a good block with his legs from the New Zealand striker's shot, before the goalkeeper pushed away a Tait volley from 25 yards. Taylor then almost scored from the resulting corner as the ball in came off the far post. 

It was a good workout for the Buddies ahead of the cinch Premiership opener against Motherwell at the SMiSA Stadium next weekend. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-1 FC Edinburgh

St Mirren: Urminsky, Gallagher, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain (Fraser 89), Baccus (Taylor 73), Erhahon (Reid 46), O'Hara, Tait, Ayunga (Olusanya 62), Offord (Greive 62)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn, Henderson, Jamieson

FC Edinburgh: Ramsbottom, MacDonald, McIntyre (c), Tapping, See (Shanley 66), Handling, Brydon, Fontaine, Brian (Jardine 46, Hamilton 87), Murray (Robertson 76), Crane
Subs Not Used: Quate, Travis, Watson, N.Reid, Docherty

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Steven Wilson