St Mirren punish goalkeeper error to beat Dundee 2-1 on Premiership return
- Published
Highlights: St Mirren 2-1 Dundee
Dundee manager Neil McCann rued Jack Hamilton's "bad error", which helped St Mirren secure an opening-day Scottish Premiership win.
Danny Mullen's header gave the Paisley side the maiden goal of the league season, but Elton Ngwatala levelled.
Dundee could have gone ahead in the second half after Craig Samson fouled Jean Alassane Mendy, but the goalkeeper saved Sofien Moussa's spot-kick.
And Ryan Flynn robbed keeper Hamilton to set up Mullen for the winner.
"He just caught himself in two minds. He'll learn from that," said McCann.
St Mirren hold their own - with a bit of fortune
After St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott had unfurled the Championship flag to mark last season's title triumph, the match inexplicably started a little before the scheduled 15:00 kick-off time and the hosts seemed eager to make an early impression.
The endeavour of Cammy Smith eventually led to Paul McGinn crossing for Mullen to net.
And following Ngwatala's equaliser, chances also fell the way of Matty Willock and Smith, before keeper Hamilton had to deal with efforts by McGinn and Smith.
Dundee, too, were menacing in the final third and, even before Ngwatala had lashed the equaliser in from distance, Mendy and Moussa had threatened for Neil McCann's side.
Mendy was too high with a shot after escaping his marker and the Senegalese winger then capitalised on a mix-up between Jack Baird and Samson to win Dundee's spot-kick, only for Moussa to have his tame effort saved.
New St Mirren boss Alan Stubbs sent on Flynn in place of Ross Stewart, and the substitute's pressure on the hesitant Hamilton was rewarded as he stole possession, rounded the keeper and squared for Mullen to tap home.
Mullen (second from right) joined the Buddies in December
Analysis - 'sheer entertainment'
BBC Scotland's Jonathan Sutherland at the Simple Digital Arena
A wonderful game in terms of sheer entertainment. St Mirren mark their return to the top flight in style and the feel-good factor as the final whistle sounded was palpable.
There were doubts about how strong the Paisley side would be in the final third, but Danny Mullen stepped up to the mark impressively - although his second will be massively overshadowed by Hamilton's horrible blunder.
In the end, it was hugely frustrating for Dundee. Be in no doubt, the away side battered St Mirren for the first 15 minutes of the second half but squandered five big chances including a penalty. Jean Mendy looks like a talented striker but he should have scored at least once.
You can only imagine the Dundee interest in signing a striker will intensify and that man could well be Lawrence Shankland of Ayr United - Dundee have already made contact about his availability.
'I don't know how my blood pressure will be' - reaction
St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs: "I don't know how my blood pressure will be at the end of the season if there are another 37 days like that.
"We want players who have either played at a higher level or with potential that has not been realised yet. We are active with a few clubs and, if we get the ones we want, I'll be very pleased."
Dundee manager Neil McCann: "In the second half, we've got a number of chances. None more so than the penalty, that Craig makes a very good save at.
"I'm not sure if he should've gone [a red card for the penalty] or not - I know the new ruling is in with the triple punishment but he's got to make a genuine attempt for the ball. I haven't seen it so I can't really comment on it too much."