St Mirren 2-2 Inverness CT

St Mirren and Inverness earned a point apiece as their league campaigns got underway at a rain-soaked Paisley.

The hosts broke the deadlock when debutant Lewis Guy slid the ball past Inverness keeper Ryan Esson from the edge of the six-yard box.

Inverness levelled through Nick Ross's close-range strike before Billy McKay put them in front.

But a dramatic injury time produced a Darren McGregor equaliser for St Mirren and a red card for Guy.

The match kicked off in glorious sunshine in front of a lively crowd, with three largely full home stands and a few hundred visiting fans.

St Mirren missed the suspended trio of Jim Goodwin, Marc McAusland and Steven Thompson.

However, new signings Sam Parkin and Guy started for the Paisley side.

The visitors were without suspended striker Richie Foran and injured defender Chris Hogg, so Inverness manager Terry Butcher handed debuts to David Raven, Gary Warren, Ross Draper and Simon King.

And it was the Highlanders who carved out the first chance, when Andrew Shinnie cut inside and dragged his shot towards the near post, but his effort went just wide.

A Gary Teale free kick provided an early opportunity for the hosts, but Parkin connected with the back of his head and the chance was wasted.

St Mirren gradually became more dominant as the first half wore on, and with their full-backs becoming more involved, they took the lead.

Debutant Guy bundled the ball into the net from close range after he was picked out by Paul McGowan.

It was all change in the second half as a thunderstorm raged overhead and Inverness applied the pressure, with new boy Raven causing problems for the St Mirren defence.

And Ross made the pressure pay when he lashed the ball into the roof of the net from four yards to level the scores.

The visitors then took the lead when Andrew Shinnie threaded the ball through to McKay who slotted the ball under Craig Samson.

Parkin had a late chance to grab a point for the Buddies, but put his header from John Robertson's cross off target.

And the Englishman rifled in an effort at the death, but again Esson was untroubled.

However, McGregor saved a point for St Mirren when Esson flapped at an injury-time cross and the central defender headed the ball in from close range.

But the drama was not over as Guy was issued with a red card for violent conduct even as his team scored.

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