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

10-men St Mirren exited the Premier Sports Cup after a 2-0 defeat at Airdrieonians. 

Saints were reduced to 10-men when Greg Kiltie was shown a red card on 33 minutes and Airdrieonians took full advantage of the extra man with Justin Devenny and Kyan Gunn scoring in the second 45 to secure victory for the Diamonds.

There were four changes to the Saints team that defeated Cowdenbeath on Saturday with Marcus Fraser, Declan Gallagher, Greg Kiltie and Toyosi Olusanya coming in for Ryan Strain, Joe Shaughnessy, Ryan Flynn and Kieran Offord. With Shaughnessy on the bench, Mark O'Hara took the captain's armband. 

The Buddies dominated the early proceeding without creating really creating anything to worry Airdrieonians goalkeeper Josh Rae. Initially it was a poor pass-back from a Diamonds player that put the goalkeeper under pressure on 11 minutes. Alex Greive was quick to press the goalkeeper who cannoned the ball off the New Zealand striker before gathering. 

Seven minutes later Jonah Ayunga had a decent opportunity to add to his two goals at Cowdenbeath on Saturday. Olusanya's ball across the box was cleared only as far as the Saints forward but he didn't get the connection he would have wanted and the effort was comfortably held by Rae.

Saints were reduced to 10-men when Kiltie was given his marching order for a challenge on Euan Deveney that was high and late. 

Despite being down to 10-men the best chance of the half came for Saints on 44 minutes when Greive weaved brilliantly in the box before turning a low strike inches by the post.

The game was a bit more open in the early exchanges of the second 45 with Adam Frizzell going close for the home side in the early minutes of the half when his attempt with the outside of his boot fizzed just wide from 20 yards. Six minutes later a brilliant through ball from Ayunga found Greive on the chase, but the striker's effort was well pushed away by Rae. 

Airdrieonians took the lead on 66 minutes with Devenny the first to react to slam home after Callum Smith's shot was blocked. 

Joe Shaughnessy and Eamonn Brophy were brought on as Saints looked for a route back into the match, but Airdrieonians extended their lead in the dying moments when Gabby McGill pounced on a pass-back and rolled into substitute Gunn who put the gloss on the win for the Lanarkshire side.

Full-Time: Airdrieonians 2-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Urminsky, Fraser (Shaughnessy 67), Gallagher, Dunne, Tanser (Strain 53), Kiltie, O'Hara (c), Erhahon, Olusanya (Flynn 35), Greive (Brophy 67), Ayunga
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Reid, Henderson, Offord

Airdrieonians: Rae, Ballantyne, McCabe, Fordyce, Gallagher (Kouider-Aissa 80), Frizzell, Smith, Watson, Devenny (Gunn 85), Deveney (Gibson 85), McGill
Subs Not Used: Hutton, Tran, Spalding

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland

A Jonah Ayunga double gave St Mirren a comfortable win over Cowdenbeath at Central Park.

The English striker netted twice in four first-half minutes to give Saints three points in Group E of the Premier Sports Cup. 

Stephen Robinson made five changes to the side that lost to Arbroath last week. Goalkeeper Peter Urminsky made his first start for Saints in place of the injured Trevor Carson. Ryan Strain made his debut with Charles Dunne, Ryan Flynn and Kieran Offord also starting in place of Marcus Fraser, Declan Gallagher, Greg Kiltie and Toyosi Olusanya. Saints Youth Academy graduate Ethan Erhahon started the game to make his 100th appearance for the first-team. 

Saints had the bulk of the possession in the opening exchanges of the game and forced a couple of early corners but it was Urminsky who was forced to make the first save with a good stop on 16 minutes to push away Scott Sinclair's low free-kick from 20 yards. 

Despite that opportunity, the Buddies would take the lead on 19 minutes when Ayunga netted with a tidy finish after good work from Kieran Offord down the left and the forward grabbed his and Saints' second four minutes later when he knocked home from close range after Joe Shaughnessy's flick-on. 

Jonah Ayunga celebrates after scoring his second

St Mirren dominated possession in the second 45 but it took until 70 minutes for the Buddies to really go close to adding a third. Alex Greive turned well in the box but crashed his effort off the crossbar. 

Substitute Richard Tait wasn't far from extending Saints lead with a little under 10 minutes to go when he let fly from 25 yards with the ball whistling just over the bar. 

Two goals were enough in the end for Stephen Robinson's men to claim three points ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Airdrieonians. 

Full-Time: Cowdenbeath 0-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Urminsky, Strain, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser (Tait 60), Flynn (Kiltie 60), O'Hara, Erhahon (Reid 79), Ayunga, Offord (Olusanya 60), Greive (Henderson 75)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Gallagher, Fraser, Jamieson

Cowdenbeath: McCready, Lemon, Newman, Armstrong (c), Martins (Robinson 46), Garrad, Donaldson, Struthers, Sinclair (Aikamhenze 48), Berry, Graham
Subs Not Used: Farrell

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Assistant Referee: Michael McCart

Attendance: 638

St Mirren were beaten by a last-minute goal in the opening Premier Sports Cup match against Arbroath. 

Saints had plenty of opportunities in the first competitive game of the new season but couldn't find a route to goal and deep into injury time Arbroath substitution Dylan Paterson netted the winner for the visitors. 

Stephen Robinson gave debuts to new signings Trevor Carson, Declan Gallagher, Mark O'Hara, Toyosi Olusanya and Jonah Ayunga, while fellow new boy Ryan Strain was on the bench. 

The Buddies almost got off to the perfect just with just three minutes of the clock when Alex Greive met Marcus Fraser's cross from the right but nodded just wide of the right-hand post. The New Zealand international came close again on 18 minutes - this time getting his head on the end of a Scott Tanser ball from the left. Greive rose above his marker but glanced the effort wide. 

Greg Kiltie had the ball in the net four minutes later but it came after referee Kevin Clancy had blown for a foul by Ayunga on Arbroath goalkeeper Derek Gaston. 

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock in the final minute of the first-half when Scott Stewart cracked the post from 20 yards. 

The manager reacted to the goalless first-half by bringing on St Mirren Youth Academy graduate Jay Henderson coming on for Olusanya. And Saints dominated the early second-half proceedings with Greive, Henderson and Joe Shaughnessy all having big opportunities to put the Buddies ahead within the first 10 minutes of the restart.

Greive fired over from close-range after bringing the ball down well on his chest two minutes into the second 45, while Henderson clipped inches over the bar on 52 minutes as he looked to have an immediate impact. Saints skipper Shaughnessy came the closest a minute later when he crashed a header off the bar. 

Gallagher almost opened the scoring on his debut when he rose the highest to meet a corner on the hour mark, but his effort was headed off the line. 

Kieran Offord was introduced to the action on 76 minutes and his brilliant run fashioned a good chance for O'Hara five minutes later. The Saints youth academy graduate beat a few Arbroath players as he drifted in from the left before teeing the ball up for O'Hara who struck wide. 

It seemed as though the game would head to penalties for a bonus point, but in injury time Paterson nipped in at the back post to score for the visitors and give them the victory. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Arbroath 

St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Gallagher, Shaughnessy (c), Tanser, O'Hara, Kiltie, Erhahon, Olusanya (Henderson 46), Ayunga (Jamieson 90), Greive (Offord 76)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Tait, Dunne, Strain, Flynn, Reid

Arbroath: Gaston, Thomson (Fosu 66), Hamilton, Little, O'Brien (c), Gold, Jacobs (Low 66), Stewart (Paterson 83), McKenna, Shanks (Hilson 61), Linn (Craigen 61)
Subs Not Used: Gill

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland

Attendance: 1,923

St Mirren were defeated 3-1 by Northampton in their final pre-season game before competitive action begins this weekend.

The Buddies had got off to an ideal start when Mark O'Hara put Saints ahead early in the first-half. But Northampton equalised soon after before scoring two late goals to secure their win at the SMiSA Stadium.  

Saints hit the front on 14 minutes. Marcus Fraser's cross picked out Alex Greive who laid it off perfectly for O'Hara with the midfielder driving low into the net with laser precision from 20 yards.

Mark O'Hara celebrates after putting St Mirren ahead (Image: Allan Picken)

The visitors equalised seven minutes later when Ben Fox forcing over the line after a stramash in the Saints six-yard box. 

Fox almost put Northampton ahead with just two minutes of the half remaining, but the effort was well saved by Trevor Carson who got a strong hand to turn it away. 

Both sides made a raft of changes and it was Saints substitute goalkeeper Peter Urminsky who made a wonderful save to deny Joshua Tomlinson on 72 minutes. Three minutes later Kieran Offord almost put Saints ahead with a rasping strike from the edge of the area the flew just by the post. 

Northampton went ahead of 77 minutes when Danny Hylton scored from close-range. And seven minutes later the visitors sealed their win with Hylton scoring his second from the penalty spot after being fouled by Murray Campbell. 

Offord could have reduced the deficit four minutes from time, but the Academy graduate was denied by an outstanding save from Cobblers goalkeeper Maxted. 

It's competitive action for Saints next with Stephen Robinson's side facing Arbroath at the SMiSA Stadium in Premier Sports Cup action on Saturday.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-3 Northampton Town

St Mirren: Carson (Urminsky 61), Fraser (Tanser 46), Gallagher (Shaugnessy 74), Dunne (Campbell 61), Tait (c), Flynn (Taylor 74), O'Hara (Reid 61), Erhahon (Kiltie 61), Olusanya (Henderson 46), Ayunga (Jamieson 61), Greive (Offord 61)
Subs Not Used: Strain

Northampton Town: Burge (Maxted 46), Trialist (Odimayo 46), Sherring (Nolan 46), Guthrie, Dyche, Haynes (Koiki 46), Sowerby (Abimbola 46), Fox (McWilliams 46), Pinnock (Hoskins 46), Trialist (Cross 46), Appere (Hylton 46)

St Mirren rounded off their training camp in Northern Ireland with a win over Linfield at Windsor Park. 

Alex Greive and Jonah Ayunga netted first-half goals as Stephen Robinson's men followed up Monday night's 3-0 win over Crusaders with victory over the NIFL Premiership champions. 

It took the Buddies just 90 seconds to hit the front when Greive capped off a well-worked move. The New Zealand international was on hand to knock Ayunga's ball across into the net from close-range. 

Linfield loanee Daniel Finlayson - who completed his temporary move from the Paisley Saints to Linfield last month - levelled for the home side on 19 minutes. The defender slotted home after being teed up by Stephen Fallon.

Saints re-took the lead on 37 minutes when Jonah Ayunga smashed home a stunning strike from inside the area. And the English forward could have notched his second three minutes later when he sent a free header over from close-range. 

It was Ayunga who came closest to extending Saints lead in the second-half. He showed great footwork to fashion the chance but cracked the effort off the bar with substitute Lewis Jamieson slamming the rebound wide. 

Trevor Carson made a big save in the dying minutes to deny Chris McKee and ensure Saints would go home with two wins in the bag. 

Full-Time: Linfield 1-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Carson, Campbell (Dunne 46), Shaughnessy (c), Gallagher (Fraser 60), Strain (Tait 46), Erhahon (Taylor 70), O'Hara (Reid 70), Tanser (Flynn 60), Kiltie (Henderson 60), Greive (Jamieson 60), Ayunga (Offord 70)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Urminsky

Linfield: Johns, Roscoe, Finlayson (Pepper 60), Hall (Devine 60), Shields (McClean 46), Trialist (Newberry 60), Mulgrew (Palmer 46), McDaid (McKee 60), Cooper (Millar 46), M. Clarke (A.Clarke 60), Fallon (Stewart 46)
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Archer