Super sub John O'Neill scored a last minute equaliser to earn St Mirren a deserved share of the points against Ross County at Victoria Park. County had the better of the first half, but it was a different story after the break with the Buddies well on top.
Brian McGinty had a chance to put St Mirren ahead after just 30 seconds, but his header flew wide of Stuart Garden's left hand post. But it was County who took the lead in the 3rd minute when Alex Burke rose above the Saints defence
to head in a John Robertson cross.
Martin Canning put his keeper under pressure with a slack pass back but Garden managed to clear the ball under pressure from McGinty. At the other end McGarry was almost through on goal after Burke and Winters set up the chance, but Craig Hinchcliffe was quick off his line to boot the ball clear.
County were well on top although Saints looked dangerous on the break with McGinty the main threat. But it was mostly County, and McGarry was only inches away with a glancing header after Don Cowie got behind the Saints defence. Then David Winters came close with a curling free kick from 25 yards.
County almost doubled their lead a couple of minutes from half time when they broke away following a Saints corner. McGarry and Ranking teamed up to set up Burke but Hinchcliffe was on hand to turn the striker's shot past for a corner.
John O'Neill replaced Hugh Murray in the middle of the Saints midfield, and the visitors stepped up the pace with Mixu Paatelainen not far away when he got on the end of a Ricky Gillies, but his header went over the bar. The Buddies were certainly up for it in the second period and enjoyed a lot more possession, but the County defence were holding on to their lead.
O'Neill almost snatched an equaliser in the 72nd minute when his close range effort was scooped off the line by Garden. But the Buddies got a deserved levelled when the County defence failed to clear their lines and O'Neill drilled the ball low into the corner of the net from 12 yards. O'Neill was booked by referee Alan Freeland for over celebrating.