Match ends, St. Mirren 2, Ross County 2.
St MirrenSt Mirren2Ross CountyRoss County2
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 visitors ahead from a corner on 11 minutes, with Adam Drury stooping to nod in a leveller.
A precise finish from former Buddie Graham Carey gave the Premiership's bottom side the lead again.
But the hosts replied swiftly as Jeroen Tesselaar crashed in a powerful strike in 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.
Prior to kick-off, five league matches had passed on home soil, with a miserable yield of just one goal.
Tommy Craig's side did all the pressing in the opening 10 minutes, but Callum Ball was guilty of dithering 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 splendid double save to keep out a Thomas Reilly volley and Ball's follow-up effort before a moment of controversy.
Visiting 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 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 Carey caught the wind and clattered down on the crossbar before bouncing behind.
Line-ups
St Mirren
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 28Kello
- 2Naismith
- 4McAusland
- 22Tesselaar
- 3Kelly
- 17Drury
- 6Goodwin
- 7McGinn
- 8McLean
- 14Reilly
- 16BallSubstituted forCaldwellat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Marwood
- 12Ridgers
- 19Brown
- 21Teale
- 29Caldwell
- 30Baird
- 34Morgan
Ross County
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 21Brown
- 25Toshney
- 5Boyd
- 43Quinn
- 13Barr
- 40GardyneSubstituted forDingwallat 76'minutes
- 36Irvine
- 8Brittain
- 23Carey
- 10KissSubstituted forWoodsat 58'minutesBooked at 82mins
- 15ArquinSubstituted forJervisat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Reguero
- 9Jervis
- 16Boyce
- 17Ross
- 18Frempah
- 24Dingwall
- 26Woods
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 3,459
Match Stats
Home TeamSt MirrenAway TeamRoss County
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away4
- Corners
- Home11
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Mirren 2, Ross County 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Graham Carey (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Graham Carey (Ross County) hits the bar with a left footed shot from long range on the right.
Post update
Jake Jervis (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jeroen Tesselaar (St. Mirren).
Post update
Foul by Jeroen Tesselaar (St. Mirren).
Post update
Graham Carey (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jeroen Tesselaar (St. Mirren).
Post update
Jackson Irvine (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Ross Caldwell (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Martin Woods (Ross County).
Post update
Foul by Jim Goodwin (St. Mirren).
Post update
Jake Jervis (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Martin Woods (Ross County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Sean Kelly (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Martin Woods (Ross County).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Adam Drury (St. Mirren) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Paul Quinn (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Jason Naismith.
