Saints have to settle for point despite terrific first-half comeback

Tawanda Maswanhise and Regan Charles-Cook saw Motherwell take control in the early stages. But Saints produced a stunning comeback thanks to goals from Paul Nsio, Declan John and Samuel Ramos that gave us the advantage at the interval.

The Buddies had numerous opportunities to add a fourth and wrap up the game in the second-half, but failed to take them. Motherwell substitute Jardell Kanga fired home deep into injury-time to ensure the Steelmen left with a share of the spoils.

Manager Craig McLeish handed debuts to new signings Calvin Ramsay and Nikolas Agrafiotis, while Louis Jackson took a place on the bench. Paul Nsio and Henry Fieldson also came in from the start as the gaffer made four changes to the side that faced Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup. Alex Gogic took the captain's armband in the absence of Marcus Fraser who missed out through injury, as did Killian Phillips.

The Buddies couldn't have wished for a worst start though as Motherwell hit the front inside two minutes. Alex Lowry played a terrific pass for Maswanhise who managed to race clear of John. Jacob Chapman had come out, but Maswanhise rounded the goalkeeper and showed good composure to slot into the net.

Motherwell were presented with a brilliant opportunity to double their lead when Gogic hand-balled a crossfield pass from Nsio. It was missed by the officials, but a VAR check was recommended with Kevin Clancy awarding the penalty. Maswanhise stepped up to take but saw his effort saved by Chapman.

The Steelmen would extend their advantage on 25 minutes. Regan Charles-Cook fired home from distance to give the visitors a second.

Despite the set-back, Saints started showing more endeavour as they searched for a route back into the match. Chris Mochrie fed the ball wide to Ismeal Kabia on 30 minutes but his low strike was into the arms of Alex Paulsen.

The Buddies had a big opportunity to pull one back on 36 minutes when Ramsay's brilliant delivery to the back post was almost nodded in by Fieldson. The defender only got the slightest of touches though and couldn't turn into the net.

Saints would get themselves within one on 39 minutes with Nsio scoring his first goal for Saints. Mochrie reached the ball in the box and fed it back to Ramos who in turn looked to play it to Agrafiotis. The forward dummied the ball allowing Nsio to get on to it and turn a lovely finish from 15 yards.

Five minutes later the Buddies drew themselves level. John started the move, winning the ball off Maswanhise with a tremendous tackle deep in the Saints half. He knocked to Nsio and continued his run while Nsio played it to Mochrie who turned and found Ramos. The Spaniard took one touch before sliding through to John. He drove on and lashed in at the near post to make it 2-2.

The turnaround was complete when Ramos, who had provided two assists, got himself on the scoresheet. Ramsay was fouled by Joseph Hodge in the middle of the park. Ramsay's initial free-kick was only cleared as far as Mochrie who headed on to Gogic and he flicked into the path of Ramos and he sent a wonderful left-footed finish high into the net to cap a stunning comeback going into the break.

Saints felt in control at the beginning of the second-half and could have extended their lead after the hour mark. Substitute Fraser Taylor found Kabia in the box, but his shot was well blocked by the Motherwell defence. Five minutes later it was Eseosa Sule who was the recipient of another good Taylor pass. The forward strode into the box and tried to beat the goalkeeper at his near post with Paulsen down well to get a strong hand to it.

With the game heading to its climax, Paulsen was forced into a good two-handed save as he turned away Sule's strike from 20 yards on 88 minutes. A minute afterwards it was Chapman that made a wonderful stop as he tipped over Lowry's powerful effort.

Jake Young should have secured all three points after he brilliantly raced away from the two Motherwell defenders to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But Paulsen denied the forward with his feet to keep Motherwell in it. And how that missed chance would come back to haunt us. Lowry sent a corner in from the left, Chapman came to punch but it landed at Kanga who sent a super finish high into the net to give the visitors a point. Despite that late sucker punch, Saints remain unbeaten in the William Hill Premiership.

Full-Time: St Mirren 3-3 Motherwell

St Mirren: Chapman, Ramsay (Richardson 61) Gogic (c), Fieldson, John, Nsio, Carr, Ramos (Thomas 71), Kabia (Young 75), Mochrie (Taylor 61), Agrafiotis (Sule 61)
Subs: Mullen, King, Jackson, McEvoy

Motherwell: Paulsen, Sparrow (c) (O'Donnell 46), Knight-Lebel, Moormann, Longelo, Hodge (Williams 71), Fadinger, Lowry, Said (Bjorgolfsson 73), Maswanhise (Kanga 58), Charles-Cook (Palmer-Houlden 58)
Subs: Connelly, Ross, Whyte, Vogt

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 6,816