The first half was lacklustre, to say the least. Stranraer set out to surrender possession to Saints' back players and defend in numbers to restrict their hosts to long-range shooting opportunities.
Andy Millen drove past and Stewart Kean curled a 25-yard shot which flew wide as the home side tried to exert pressure. Hugh Murray's free-kick was nodded down by Kean, but Kirk Broadfoot stabbed the ball wide.
Debutant Billy Mehmet blazed over as the Paisley side dominated, but Stranraer were not entirely passive, Paul Walker firing in an angular shot which Craig Hinchcliffe gathered easily.
Mehmet had another shot saved after Barry-John Corr flapped at an Ian Maxwell cross but, as the first half closed, there was a suspicion that the second half would be no different.
It wasn't. Millen had a drive comfortably saved, and Walker's snap-shot at the other end caused Hinchcliffe no concern. John Potter struck a decent shot towards goal which was bizarrely deflected behind by resolute defender, Murray Henderson.
Allan Jenkins almost stole victory for Stranraer four minutes from time, but his crisp low shot scraped wide of the relieved Hinchcliffe's right-hand post.
The managers made their predictable comments after the game, but the truth is that it was a dire spectacle, the only satisfied customers the miserably few souls who had travelled from the south-west.