St Mirren 2
Ross County 2
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

St Mirren picked up their first home point of the season after coming from behind twice against fellow strugglers Ross County.

Paul Quinn headed the staggies ahead from a corner on 11 minutes, with Adam Drury stooping to nod in a leveller on the stroke of half-time.

A precise finish from former Buddie Graham Carey gave the Premiership's bottom side the lead again.

But the paisley side replied swiftly as Jeroen Tesselaar crashed in a powerful strike in what was an open, entertaining match.

The Staggies remain at the foot of the table but have edged closer to Motherwell, while St Mirren stay in 10th spot after finally finding their scoring touch in Paisley.

Tommy Craig's side did all the pressing in the opening 10 minutes, but Callum Ball was guilty of delaying in front of goal and Kenny McLean's header from a corner was ruled out for shoving.

But, with the rain hammering down, County took the lead as the St Mirren defence gave Quinn the freedom of the penalty box to power in a header from Carey's corner.

Mark Brown then made a brilliant double save to keep out a Thomas Reilly volley and Ball's follow-up effort before a moment of controversy.

Manager Jim McIntyre was apoplectic when a very late offside decision was given against Michael Gardyne, who had coolly rolled a shot beyond Marian Kello, who did well to tip away a header from Jackson Irvine soon after.

And McIntyre's mood will have darkened further when his defence failed to deal with a long throw-in, as Drury arrived at the back post to connect with Ball's flick-on.

Ball passed up a glorious chance after the interval when the cumbersome striker lost his bearings in front of goal, failing to connect with a cushioned lay-off from Reilly.

With the action ebbing and flowing, County moved in front for a second time on 58 minutes as Yoann Arquin outmuscled Jim Goodwin before moving the ball on to Martin Woods, who picked out the influential Graham Carey for a fine low strike into the net from 18 yards.

But St Mirren's response was immediate, with Tesselaar smashing in a great shot from the edge of the penalty box.

County were the more menacing side in the final stages but the only real moment of concern for Kello came when a lofted free-kick from Graham Carey caught the wind and clattered down on the crossbar before bouncing behind.