St Mirren defeated Aberdeen in a five goal thriller to pick up their first league win of the season.

Connor Ronan fired Saints ahead, but Jim Goodwin's men found themselves behind at the break after Scott Brown and Christian Ramirez had scored for the Dons.

Teddy Jenks was shown red for Aberdeen early in the second-half and the Buddies made the man advantage count with Ronan grabbing his second before Curtis Main headed home the winner. 

Jim Goodwin made one change from the side that drew with Hibernian last week as Saints looked for their first league win of the season. Dylan Reid dropped out of the squad with injury and was replaced by Ethan Erhahon.

The Buddies got off to the ideal start - taking the lead on 14 minutes. A poor kick-out from Joe Lewis was pounced upon by Alan Power. He knocked on to midfield partner Erhahon who played a stunning through ball for Ronan. The Irishman brought the ball in brilliantly before firing home via the aid of a deflection off Aberdeen defender David Bates. 

Connor Ronan fires Saints ahead (Image: Jeff Holmes)

Saints joy was short-lived with Aberdeen finding themselves level four minutes later in fortuitous fashion. A free-kick into the box bundled off Ramirez before knicking off Dons captain Brown's foot and into the back of the net. 

Aberdeen started taking a grip of the game after their equaliser. Marcus Fraser made an excellent challenge to block Jenks' attempt two minutes after the Dons leveller. But the Dons would take the lead on 34 minutes when Ramirez headed home. The American forward peeled off his marker to bullet Calvin Ramsay's free-kick into the net. There were arguments from the Saints defence that Fraser had been impeded by Brown, but referee Willie Collum said no. 

Saints started the second-half brightly as they looked to get themselves back into the match. Scott Tanser almost scored just two minutes after the restart when his free-kick from the right-hand side drifted all the way through with Lewis clawing off his line. 

On 51 minutes, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Jenks was given his marching orders. The Dons man had been booked in the first-half for a late challenge on Fraser and was shown a second yellow after a foul on Jamie McGrath. Jim Goodwin responded to that red card by going with two upfront, bringing on Main for Erhahon. 

Within six minutes of the red card, Saints found themselves level. McGrath slid the ball through for Ronan who took a touch to steady himself before lashing into the back of the net to score his, and St Mirren's, second of the afternoon. 

Just after the hour mark the Buddies turned the game on its head with substitute Main making it 3-2. Fraser's ball over the top looked like it drifted beyond Lewis, but the English striker was adamant he'd gotten a touch to force in. 

Curtis Main gets in ahead of Joe Lewis for the winner (Image: Allan Picken)

Saints had more chances to add to their lead with Eamonn Brophy and Main having opportunities, but in the end three was enough for the Buddies to claim their first three points of the season.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-2 Aberdeen

WATCH: JIM GOODWIN MATCH REACTION 

Jim Goodwin celebrates after Saints defeat Aberdeen (Image: Allan Picken)

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (Flynn 74), Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Millar (McAllister 72), Power, Erhahon (Main 56), Tanser, McGrath, Ronan, Brophy (Dennis 83)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Erwin

Aberdeen: Lewis, Ramsay, Bates, McCrorie, MacKenzie, Brown (c), Jenks, Hedges (Samuels 72), Hayes, Ferguson, Ramirez (Emmanuel-Thomas 72)
Subs Not Used: Woods, Gallagher, McGeouch, Campbell, Longstaff

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: John McCrossan
Fourth Official: Alan Muir

Attendance: 4,513

St Mirren took a share of the spoils at Easter Road as Joe Shaughnessy's late header earned Saints a point in the capital. 

It was nothing more than Jim Goodwin's men deserved after a battling performance against high-flying Hibernian. 

Eamonn Brophy put Saints ahead in the first-half, but two goals in four second-half minutes from Paul McGinn and Martin Boyle had the home side in-front. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Saints skipper Shaughnessy headed the Buddies level to take a point back to Paisley.

The manager made just one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Dundee United last weekend. Alan Power, returning from suspension, took the place of Curtis Main who dropped to the bench. 

The opening exchanges of the first-half saw very few clear cut chances for either side. Martin Boyle curled wide from 20 yards on 16 minutes, while Brophy also had his own opportunity from similar range 60 seconds later, but his low strike was straight at Hibs goalkeeper Matt Macey.

With just three minutes of the half remaining, Saints took the lead and it was the lively Brophy who would get it. Connor Ronan sent a ball down the left channel for the striker to chase. He cut into the box before firing low into the near post to put St Mirren ahead and score his second of the season. 

Eamonn Brophy celebrates after putting Saints ahead (Image: Craig Brown)

Hibs made a change at the break with Scott Allan coming on for Chris Cadden and the midfielder showed his quality in the early part of second-half. It was his play that won the corner from which thought they had equalised. Ryan Porteous' header from the corner was goal-bound, but the offside Boyle got a touch on it before it crossed the line with the linesman raising his flag.

The home side would find themselves level on 57 minutes and it was Allan who was integral to it. His first time ball found ex-Saint McGinn running in at the back post to smash beyond Alnwick to even the scores. 

And four minutes later the Hibees were ahead. Matt Millar was adjudged to have fouled Porteous in the box with referee Kevin Clancy pointing to the penalty spot. Boyle stepped up from 12 yards and lashed home to put the hosts in front. 

Saints almost levelled on 67 minutes when Shaughnessy met a perfect cross from Millar. The captain got a toe to it but it cracked off the cross bar with the Hibs defence eventually managing to get clear. 

The Buddies appealed for a penalty with 15 minutes remaining when substitute Curtis Main went down in the Hibs box under the challenge of Hibees captain Paul Hanlon. To his and his teammates frustration, Kevin Clancy was unmoved. 

Saints continued to press for an equaliser with Brophy sending just wide from 20 yards with a little over 10 minutes remaining. That pressure would eventually tell when Shaughnessy appeared in the box to meet Scott Tanser's cross and head beyond Macey to level. 

Joe Shaughnessy heads home to level (Image: Craig Brown)

There was still time for drama in the closing moments with both sides having chances to win it. Allan had a shot deflected on to the post, while Kyle McAllister had an effort saved by Macey after brilliantly working his way into the box.

Full-Time: Hibernian 2-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Millar (McAllister 82), Power, Reid (Main 62), Tanser, McGrath, Ronan (Erhahon 62), Brophy
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Flynn, Dennis

Hibernian: Macey, McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig, Doyle-Hayes (Gogic 82), Newell, Magennis, Cadden (Allan 46), Boyle, Nisbet
Subs Not Used: Dabrowski, Stevenson, Gullan, Wright, Wood-Gordon

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Craig Napier

St Mirren and Dundee United couldn't be separated as it ended goalless at the SMiSA Stadium. An open game saw both sides create chances, but neither could find a winner as Saints made it three draws from their first five cinch Premiership matches. 

Jim Goodwin made three changes to the starting eleven that faced St Johnstone before the international break. Matt Millar and Connor Ronan made their debuts after signing for Saints over the past week, while 16-year-old Dylan Reid made his first start. 

Dylan Reid made his first start for St Mirren (Image: Andy Barr)

A quiet first-half in which Saints really never got going saw United create the best opportunities. Joe Shaughnessy had to head off the line after Jak Alnwick's save from Ian Harkes spun up in the air and almost found the net. Eight minutes later, Peter Pawlett raced through on goal but blazed well over from 20 yards. 

16-year-old Reid did well to deny United as the first-half drew to a close. He raced back after United burst forward on the counter and put in a brilliant challenge to stop ex-Saint Liam Smith driving into the box.

After a disappointing first-half, Saints started the second 45 better and went on to have the bulk of the possession. Jim Goodwin's men had the ball in the net just before the hour mark when Eamonn Brophy slammed home after he met Curtis Main's header only for it to be ruled out. It was a dubious decision from referee Colin Steven as he penalised Main for what he perceived as a foul on Scott McMann. 

United then had the two best chances of the game to that point. Alnwick was called into action on 62 minutes when he spread himself to block substitute Louis Appere before Marc McNulty missed a gilt-edged one-on-one opportunity - slamming wide from inside the area.

From then until the end of the match it was Saints who created all the pressure and it almost paid off when Richard Tait forced United goalkeeper Trevor Carson into a brilliant stop. The defender met McGrath's clipped delivery but was denied by the excellent one-handed save from Carson.

Richard Tait forces a top save from Trevor Carson (Image: Andy Barr)

Despite more pressure, the Buddies couldn't create the chance that would bring a winner and had to settle for a point. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dundee United

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Millar (Tait 67), Reid (Flynn 74), McGrath, Ronan (McAllister 66), Brophy, Main
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Dennis, Erwin

Dundee United: Carson, Smith (Levitt 45), Mulgrew, Niskanen, Pawlett (Appere 61), McNulty, Edwards (Connolly 78), Butcher, Harkes, McMann, Fuchs
Subs Not Used: Newman, Sporle, Reynolds, Clark

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Stewart Luke

Attendance: 4,894

The Saints derby ended in a goalless as St Mirren and St Johnstone drew a blank in Paisley.

Both sides went close in a goalless first half, Conor McCarthy having an effort ruled out for offside and Jak Alnwick denying both Callum Hendry and David Wotherspoon. Just on half-time it looked as if the Paisley Saints had gone in front only for Zander Clark to somehow claw away Richard Tait's shot before it crossed the line.

Sadly, the second half didn't come close to matching the first for goalmouth action with chances at a premium. The Perth Saints almost snatched all three points in the final minute but Glenn Middleton's free-kick cannoned off the bar. That was an escape for the Buddies but there was a blow in stoppage time when Ethan Erhahon was sent off, shown a second yellow card for a foul on Chris Kane.

Saints boss Jim Goodwin – now recovered from his bout of coronavirus – made three changes to the side that had lost against Celtic a week earlier. Eamonn Brophy came back into the side as did fit-again Charles Dunne and Richard Tait. Greg Kiltie and Ryan Flynn dropped to the bench with Alan Power absent through suspension. There were plenty of changes to the St Johnstone line-up following their European exit, with Stevie May and Wotherspoon among those coming into the side.

Alnwick was barely troubled by early efforts from Wotherspoon and Jamie McCart, the Buddies briefly thinking they had taken the lead in between those efforts. Scott Tanser delivered a free-kick with pinpoint precision and Conor McCarthy headed past Clark, however his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Conor McCarthy heads home for the Buddies but the offside flag was raised (Image: Allan Picken)

Jamie McGrath could have been forgiven for having a pop at the Saintees goal after heading the ball past a defender and bursting forward but he unselfishly opted to tee up Curtis Main instead. Clark couldn't save the striker's shot but McGrath looked ready to force home the rebound only for Hayden Muller to block his effort. At the other end May flicked an attempt miles over Alnwick's goal, the keeper called into meaningful action for the first time a few minutes later when he turned behind Hendry's header.

The home Saints were creating plenty of chances, skipper Joe Shaughnessy heading just wide from Tait's cross before both Tanser and Brophy shot over from the edge of the area. Alnwick was arguably the busier of the keepers and had to get down low to tip Wotherspoon's low drive behind after it took a deflection off Shaughnessy. In first-half stoppage time the hosts went desperately close to taking the lead when a free-kick was flicked on to Tait at the back post and he looked to have poked it over the line only to be denied by a terrific save by Clark.

You could be forgiven for thinking an exciting second half was in store when Main flicked Tanser's cross just wide, however it didn't live up to the promise. McCarthy almost got on the end of another tasty delivery from fullback and Shaughnessy headed a free-kick wide, while at the other end Alnwick did well to gather a shot from sub Glenn Middleton and Shaun Rooney's long-range drive whistled past the post.

The visitors almost snatched victory in the final minute with a moment that would have been giving the home fans flashback. After Shaughnessy was booked for upending Muller, St Johnstone had a free-kick in a dangerous position and Middleton stepped up in a bid to repeat his heroics from last season's Scottish Cup semi-final. He almost managed it too – although this time his effort crashed off the bar rather than nestling in the net. That was as close as either side came, Erhahon blotting his copybook somewhat in stoppage time when he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Chris Kane.

St Johnstone strike the bar in the final minutes of the match (Image: Allan Picken)

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-0 St Johnstone

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, McCarthy, Tait, McGrath, Erhahon, Tanser, Brophy (Dennis 69), Main (Erwin 77)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Henderson, MacPherson

St Johnstone: Clark, Muller, Kerr (c), McCart, Rooney, McCann, Craig, Devine (Booth 82), May (Kane 72), Wotherspoon, Hendry (Middleton 65)
Subs Not Used: Parish, Brown, O'Halloran, Ballantyne

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Fourth Official: Alan Muir

Attendance: 4,326

Saints suffered a tough afternoon at Celtic Park - losing 6-0 and being reduced to 10 men. 

Liel Abada had the hosts in front with 17 minutes played before Alan Power was given his marching orders for a foul on David Turnbull two minutes later. Abada scored again, while Turnbull scored a brace to put Celtic 4-0 up at half-time. Odsonne Edouard added a fifth with Turnbull scoring to complete his hat-trick to cap off a disappointing afternoon for the Buddies.

With manager Jim Goodwin absent due to Covid, Lee Sharp took charge of the team with three changes from the side that faced Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup the week before. Conor McCarthy, Alan Power and Ryan Flynn came in for Charles Dunne, Richard Tait and Eamonn Brophy.

Saints were fired an early warning shot when Turnbull cracked the right-hand post from 20 yards on six minutes. The Scotland midfielder was picked out by Abada at the edge of the box and took a touch to fashion a bit of space before rattling the woodwork. 

Celtic continued their pressure with Marcus Fraser clearing an Edouard free-kick and Power making an important block to deflect an Abada shot over. The home side's pressure would tell on 17 minutes when Abada put them ahead. The winger cut in from the right and fired towards the far corner. Jak Alnwick got two hands to it but couldn't keep the ball out of the net. 

The St Mirren task was to be made more difficult when Power was shown a straight red for a foul on Turnbull. The Irishman was late as he slid in and caught the midfielder on the left touchline. A few minutes later, Celtic were two ahead when Abada headed home. 

St Mirren had ball in the net on 28 minutes when Curtis Main got a flick on to Greg Kiltie's header, but the linesman's flag was raised despite the forward being played onside by Anthony Ralston. And to compound Saints frustrations, Celtic added a third just a minute later when a swerving effort from Turnbull flew into the net from 20 yards.

Curtis Main had a goal disallowed for offside (Image: Craig Brown)

Celtic continued to create chances against the 10 man Saints before the break with Kyogo Furuhashi blazing over from close range and Edouard hitting the bar. With a minute of the half remaining they would add a fourth. Alnwick could only push Abada's cross into the path of Turnbull who forced home.

Celtic made it 5-0 just after the hour mark when Edouard got the break of the ball inside the Saints box and slammed into the back of the net from close range.  

Alnwick made good saves to deny Furuhashi and substitute Tom Rogic as the game wore on, but Turnbull grabbed his hat-trick with six minutes to go on a day to forget for Saints.

Full-Time: Celtic 6-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tanser, Flynn (Brophy 45), McGrath, Power, Erhahon, Kiltie (MacPherson 45), Main (McAllister 70)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, Finlayson, Erwin

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Taylor, McGregor (Rogic 67) Turnbull, Abada, Christie, Kyogo (Soro 67), Edouard (Ajeti 82)
Subs Not Used: Bain, Bitton, Urhoghide, Montgomery

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

St Mirren's hopes of reaching the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals were ended after a penalty shoot-out loss at Livingston.

Conor McCarthy's late goal took the match to extra-time after Alan Forrest had given Livingston the lead.

Neither side could make the breakthrough in the added 30 minutes with the game heading to a penalty shoot-out. Despite Jamie McGrath, Joe Shaughnessy and Lee Erwin netting from 12 yards, Saints lost 4-3. 

Both sides had chances in the opening stages of the match with Odin Bailey sending an effort just wide of the post on 14 minutes for the home side. Saints passed up a gilt-edged chance seven minutes later when Greg Kiltie had an abundance of time and space in the box, but had his low effort pushed away by Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek. 

The Buddies were having the best of the first-half and again had another opportunity after a brilliant bit of skill from McGrath allowed the Irishman to fashion space on the left-hand side before clipping a wonderful ball into area. Richard Tait was leaning back as he managed to get his head on it but flicked wide.

Despite Saints' pressure, Livi took the lead with four minutes of the half remaining. Sibbald drove forward and slipped through to Forrest who had burst down the left channel unopposed. The winger made his way into the box before slotting beyond Jak Alnwick to open the scoring.

St Mirren should have been level immediately though when Brophy broke the offside trap and raced clear on goal a minute later. The forward was one-on-one with Stryjek but had his low strike blocked by the goalkeeper. Stryjek couldn't hold which allowed Brophy a second bite at it, but he sent wide from an angle with Livi defenders having got back on the line to cover.

The second-half was a scrappy affair with neither side creating much in the way of goal-mouth opportunities and with time ebbing away it looked like it wouldn't be St Mirren's day.

But with less than 10 minutes of normal time left, Saints found a leveller through substitute McCarthy. A free-kick on the left was swung in deep to the back post by Scott Tanser with McCarthy ghosting in ahead of the Livingston defence to slam home. 

And Saints thought they were ahead just a minute later when Curtis Main had the ball in the net, only for the far side linesman's offside flag to be raised. 

Conor McCarthy celebrates levelling for Saints.

The game went to extra-time and Livingston were convinced they had scored with 10 minutes remaining. An Ayo Obileye header came crashing off the post with Nicky Devlin forcing the rebound goal-ward. It was scooped up on the line by Alnwick with the Livi players and supporters protesting to the referee and linesman that it had crossed the line.  

Despite being forced to play the remainder of extra-time with 10 men when Tanser had to come off injured, Saints took the match to penalties.

McGrath, Shaughnessy and Erwin all scored from the spot, while Alnwick saved from Keaghan Jacobs and Craig Sibbald. But Stryjek stopped the decisive penalty from Kyle McAllister in sudden death to give the West Lothian side the victory. 

Full-Time: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren (Livingston win 4-3 on penalties)

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser (McAllister 72), Shaughnessy (c), Dunne (McCarthy 27), Tait (Henderson 58), McGrath, Kiltie (MacPherson 58), Erhahon, Tanser, Main, Brophy (Erwin 91)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Finlayson, Flynn, Jack

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Longridge (Jacobs 103), Holt, Pittman, Sibbald, Bailey (Kelly 62), Forrest (Hamilton 66), Anderson (Panayiotou 66, Shinnie 78)
Subs Not Used: Bardon, Reilly, Bartley

Referee: David Munro
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Fourth Official: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 1,855

Peter Urminsky saved THREE penalties in a penalty shoot-out victory for St Mirren B over cinch League Two side Kelty Hearts.

The Young Buds fell behind when Kelty captain Michael Tidser scored with 20 minutes of play remaining. But the Saints took the game to penalties when Josh Jack slammed home on 89 minutes to level. 

Urminsky saved penalties from Jamie Barjonas, Botti Biabi and Joe Cardle while Kieran Offord, Dean McMaster and Jack netted from 12 yards as the Buddies progressed to the second-round of the SPFL Trust Trophy where they will face Albion Rovers.

Full-Time: St Mirren B 1-1 Kelty Hearts (St Mirren B win 3-0 on penalties)

Josh Jack slams home the winning penalty

St Mirren: Urminsky, McDonald, Ellis (Thomson 81), Finlayson, Kenny, McMaster, Struthers, Reid (Gallagher 45), Offord, Jack (c), Taylor (Donaldson 75)
Subs Not Used: Thackery, Gilmartin, Czpala, McManus

Kelty Hearts: Donaldson, McNab, Peggie, Hooper, Hill (Philip 45), Barron (Biabi 51), Tidser (Finnan 79), Black, Cardle, Russell (Barjonas 51), Agyeman (Higginbotham 51)
Subs Not Used: Jamieson, Forster, O'Ware

Referee: Chris Graham
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Assistant Referee: Brian Christie

St Mirren's first cinch Premiership home match of the 2021/22 season ended in defeat as the 10 men Buddies lost against Hearts.

Some neat passing allowed Andy Halliday to curl Hearts into the lead early on before Saints began to come more into the game and were perhaps unlucky not to find themselves level by the break. Eamonn Brophy and Curtis Main both went close to equalising in the second half only for Liam Boyce to add a second in a rare Jambos attack.

It looked as if that would be enough but it seemed Saints skipper Joe Shaughnessey had set up a grand stand finish with a great header five minutes from time -  only for Kristian Dennis to ruin that when he was almost immediately sent off for a foul on Peter Haring. As a result, the visitors were comfortably able to see out what little time remained to record their first league win in Paisley for more than a decade.

Saints boss Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that drew with Dundee a week earlier,  Richard Tait and Greg Kiltie coming in for Ethan Erhahon and Jay Henderson. Hearts were along similar lines to the side that beat Celtic on the opening day, the only change being Haring replacing Stephen Kinglsey.

It was both sides' respective number tens who had the first chances, Hearts' Boyce heading narrowly wide a few moments before Main turned and shot inches past the post at the other end. The visitors had been enjoying plenty of early possession and used that to good advantage to get themselves in front after little more than a quarter of an hour. Beni Baningime slid the ball through to Boyce and he held on to it before pulling it back for Halliday, who curled a great shot beyond the reach of Jak Alnwick into the far corner. 

Josh Ginnelly almost lashed a wild shot out for a throw-in as the Jambos looked to double their lead before Craig Gordon was called into action for the first time, gathering Scott Tanser's dangerous cross when the slightest of touches from Richard Tait would probably have levelled the scores. Some wonderful work on the left from Jamie McGrath saw him create the space needed to deliver a delicious ball into the box and Main was unlucky to see his header rattle the crossbar, although it was irrelevant as ref Gavin Duncan had already blown for a foul in the box.

Richard Tait heads off the cross-bar but the defender had already been penalised for a foul.

Shaughnessy headed wide from McGrath's corner as Saints pushed again, the midfielder being wiped out by Beni Baningime the next time he got on the ball. Mr Duncan opted to play advantage but when Kiltie's shot was blocked, Hearts countered and Gary Mackay-Steven should have done better than drag a shot wide. The winger had another great chance when Ginnelly dummied a John Souttar pass from deep but he shot well over. Just before the break the returning home fans claimed for a penalty when Main hit the deck under Alex Cochrane's challenge, but Mr Duncan was unmoved.

Brophy turned and fired shots straight at Gordon twice in the opening stages of the second half before a tempting ball across goal from Kiltie found no takers. Main's volley from the edge of the box went agonisingly wide as the Buddies threatened again. Hearts had rarely looked like getting a second since the break but doubled their advantage with just over 15 minutes left.  Armand Gnanduillet somehow managed to retain possession despite sliding to the deck and the sub was able to slip the ball to Mackay-Steven. It was soon with Boyce at the edge of the box and he took a touch before drilling a low shot through the grasp of Alnwick to seemingly put the game to bed.

It appeared the Edinburgh side could now relax, sub Arron McEnuff just wide with a dig from long range, but there anxiety levels rose again with five minutes left when Shaughnessy thumped home Tanser's cross. However, hopes of a Saints comeback were thwarted within seconds of the restart when Dennis, who had only been on a few minutes, was shown a straight red card for clattering into Haring. Alnwick stopped Boyce adding a third for the visitors to ensure the hosts went into injury time with half a chance of salvaging something, the goalie in action again when he brilliantly denied Michael Smith. However, there were no similar chances at the other end meaning Saints rather harshly ended the afternoon with nothing to show for their efforts.

Captain Joe Shaughnessy celebrates pulling a goal back for Saints.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Hearts

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tait (Henderson 77), McGrath, Power, Kiltie (MacPherson 77), Tanser, Main, Brophy (Dennis 77)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, McCarthy, Erhahon, Erwin 

Hearts: Gordon, M.Smith, Souttar, Halkett, Cochrane, Haring, Baningime, Halliday, Mackay-Steven (McEneff 76), Ginnelly (Gnanduillet 64), Boyce (Henderson 88)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, C. Smith, Watson, Denholm

Referee: Gavin Duncan
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson

Eamonn Brophy and Jamie McGrath scored as Saints picked up a point at Dundee on the opening day of the cinch Premiership season. 

The Buddies led twice at the Kilmac Stadium, while the Dens Park side were reduced to 10 men when Max Anderson was sent off with 20 minutes remaining. But Jim Goodwin's side had to settle for a point.

Dundee raced out the traps early with ex-Saint Paul McGowan having an opportunity in the opening minute, but it was the Buddies who would strike first with only four minutes on the clock. Jak Alnwick launched the ball forward where Curtis Main flicked-on for Eamonn Brophy to chase. The forward ran on to the nod down from his strike partner and finished with aplomb to score his first St Mirren goal. 

Eamonn Brophy puts Saints in front with his first St Mirren goal (Image: Willie Vass)

Main could have doubled the Saints lead on 23 minutes but for a good save from Adam Legzdins, with the striker then having his attempt from the resultant corner deflected over.

Jason Cummings, who came on for the injured Danny Mullen, came close to levelling a minute later. He latched on to a pass from Paul McMullan but had his effort pushed away by a powerful hand from Alnwick.

Dundee levelled with just a minute of normal time remaining in the first-half. A corner into the six-yard area came off Shaughnessy and found its way into the net. 

Saints could have retaken in added time after a quick counter attacking move. Jamie McGrath showed his quality to burst away from the Dundee midfield and roll down the line for Brophy. The forward then lifted the ball across to Main who had his shot turned behind by Legzdins. 

St Mirren would find themselves ahead again less than 10 minutes into the second-half. Jay Henderson was fouled by Cummings in the box with Craig Napier pointing to the spot. McGrath made no mistake from 12 yards as he rolled into the left corner to put Saints 2-1 in front.

Jamie McGrath celebrates scoring his second goal of the season and his 19th for Saints (Image: Willie Vass) 

Dundee were level six minutes later though when Cummings rolled home Jordan Marshall's ball in from the left. The Saints defence protested the striker was offside but those remonstrations fell on deaf ears. 

The home side were reduced to 10 men when Max Anderson was shown a straight red for a late, high challenge on Brophy. The Dundee man could really have no argument with the decision. 

Scott Tanser was denied by a brilliant Legzdins save on 76 minutes before sending in a dangerous low ball across the Dundee box that Main just missed with 10 minutes remaining as Saints searched for a winner. 

Despite the man advantage, the Buddies couldn't find the winner and took a point back to Paisley.

Full-Time: Dundee 2-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy [c], Dunne, Henderson (Tait 74), Power, McGrath, Erhahon (Kiltie 72), Tanser, Brophy (Dennis 79), Main
Subs Not Used: Lyness, McCarthy, MacPherson, Erwin

Dundee: Legzdins, Marshall, McGhee, Ashcroft, Robertson (Sheridan 58), Anderson, Elliot (Sweeney 39), Adam, McGowan, McMullan, Mullen (Cummings 17)
Subs Not Used: Lawlor, McDaid, McCowan, Painter

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official: Mike Roncone

St Mirren will face Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena after qualifying for the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup after a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Jamie McGrath and Joe Shaughnessy were on the scoresheet as the Buddies picked up the required result to ensure seeding in the next round of the cup.

Jay Henderson lifted the ball over Richard Foster and burst into the box before being hauled down by the experienced Thistle defender. McGrath was the man to step up and as he did so often last season, rolled home from 12 yards to put Saints ahead. 

Jamie McGrath scores his first goal of the season to put St Mirren in front (Image: Allan Picken)

Paisley blistered in 24 degree heat and a quick water break took place following McGrath's penalty. Three minutes after play resumed, the visitors could have been level through Brian Graham but for a brilliant stop by Jak Alnwick. 

McGrath almost grabbed his and Saints' second of the afternoon a little over 10 minutes after the restart. Striding into the box from the left side, the Irishman found his way on to a beautiful weighted pass from Henderson. His first effort was blocked by a Partick defender before he fired over the second attempt. 

A minute's applause took place from the St Mirren fans in attendance in tribute of 1959 Scottish Cup winner Tommy Leishman who sadly passed away this week at the age of 83.

With 20 minutes remaining, Saints needed a second to guarantee seeding in the next round of the cup. Chance after chance was created with Curtis Main going close twice in four minutes. First, the striker did brilliantly to steal the ball off Stuart Bannigan at the edge of the Thistle box, but slammed his effort wide. Main then nodded just wide after being on the end of a pinpoint Scott Tanser cross from the left.

Shaughnessy headed over from a corner, while Henderson volleyed into the arms of Partick Thistle goalkeeper Harry Stone from close range as time ticked away.

The five minutes of additional time were almost up as Jim Goodwin willed his side on for one last push, telling goalkeeper Alnwick to get the move started. Captain Shaughnessy pressed forward from centre-half and was in the right place at the right time to tap home Lee Erwin's ball across to secure St Mirren's place in the next round of the Premier Sports Cup.

Full-Time: St Mirren 2-0 Partick Thistle

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Henderson, McGrath, Power (MacPherson 82), Kiltie (Erhahon 69), Tanser, Main, Brophy (Erwin 66)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Tait, McCarthy, Flynn, McAllister, Finlayson

Partick Thistle: Stone, Foster, Holt (Niang 61), Turner (Owens 79), Bannigan (Gordon 74), Graham, Rudden (Murray 74), Bell, McKenna, MacIver, Docherty (c)
Subs Not Used: Sneddon, Ocholi

Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Steven Reid

Joe Shaughnessy scores the goal that secures Saints place as a seeded team in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup (Image: Allan Picken)