by Holly McCormack at Glebe Park

St Mirren embarked on their third pre-season game on Wednesday night, and came away with a 2-2 draw against Brechin City, at Glebe Park. St Mirren gave a start to trialist Stephen Glass who was looking to again impress Danny Lennon, and trialist Sean Lynch started the match on the bench.

St Mirren's first real chance of the game came after fourteen minutes when Glass combined with Gareth Wardlaw, but the final shot was well saved by Brechin keeper, David Scott. Just moments later ex Saint Craig Molloy was through on goal at the other end, but fouled Jure Travner on his way to goal, and referee Willie Collum signalled for a free kick. Brechin continued to press though and nearly grabbed a goal with a passback to Craig Samson going adrift from a Hugh Murray pass, but thankfully he managed to cover the final ball.

St Mirren played the passing game well after twenty minutes, with Steven Robb, Wardlaw, Garry Brady, Glass, David van Zanten and Paul McQuade all finding each other in space but the final shot fell to van Zanten, and was blocked by Brechin defender, Paul McLean. Samson would be tested shortly afterwards though when Rory McAllister burst through the box, although initially punched away, it was McAllister who had the final say but his shot from the left smashed into the side netting, keeping the game level.

Brechin continued to press throughout the first half and it would be McLean who nearly put the home side ahead. McLean cleanly met an inswinging corner taken by Neil Janczyk, but on this occasion the shot just sailed wide.

St Mirren were keen to take the initiative in this game and continued to play some good passing football. Brady looked alert throughout the match and his experience was clearly evident as the game progressed, Danny Lennon had opted to play him out on a wider role to see how he would fair and after thirty-five minutes, he combined well with Hugh Murray who had a great chance to go through and beat the keeper, but Scott managed to collect the loose ball before Murray could do any damage.

It was Brechin though who continued to press in the last five minutes of the first half. Brechin played a corner straight to the head of David White, but luckily for St Mirren, Craig Samson was more than equal to the header, and kept the score level.

The home side took the lead just before half-time with some great play. It was Gerry McGlaughlan who played the pass to McAllister, who then let in ex-saint David McKenna, but his final shot was blocked away and it was McAllister who tapped in the rebound, ensuring that Brechin would take a 1-0 lead at the break.

Half-time: Brechin City 1-0 Saints

St Mirren rang the changes at the break with trialist Sean Lynch given forty-five minutes to show his worth to boss Danny Lennon, Jon McShane also made his way on to the field as did Mark McLennan. All three players took over for Glass, McQuade and McAusland who had all picked up slight knocks in the first half.

It was Saints who took advantage early in the second half. McShane played the ball through into the box, where it was met by Brady, who then played Robb in, and he made no mistake to tap the ball home from six yards.

Saints continued to press on and nearly took the lead in spectacular fashion. Brady was again involved in the play, where he sent his pass through to McLennan who then laid the ball off to Wardlaw, who sensationally tried the overhead kick but the final ball was just wide of the Brechin goal. Brady continued to be instrumental in the Saints attack, with fifty-five minutes gone he played the pass through to Wardlaw again, but Brechin defender Andrew Cook easily intercepted the ball and played it to safety.

Brechin were to be again rewarded for their positive play, with another goal. It was Brechin substitute Charlie King who sent in an in-swinging corner from the left, the ball fell to McAllister who dummied it and it was McLean who was there to tap the ball in, and put Brechin ahead. It was a well worked goal from Brechin after sixty-two minutes, who marched ahead as the game went into the final third.

Saints were keen to get back level as soon as possible and nearly did just minutes later, it was McShane who played the ball through to Robb, but on this occasion the final shot was blocked by Scott. Brechin though were not going to sit back on their lead and nearly scored again, after seventy minutes. King who had set up the previous goal nearly became the hero as he raced one-on-one with Samsom, but the final ball just slid away from him and he played the pass back to Docherty, but his final shot was easily palmed to safety by Samson.

St Mirren made another change after seventy-three minutes with Ally Love taking to the field, who replaced goalscorer, Steven Robb. Love had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when his long range pass met McShane, but the ball was just too long and it was easily intercepted by the Brechin defence.

The experience of Brady and Murray left the pitch after eighty-five minutes with a final run out been given to Kyle Faulds and Jamie McKernon. St Mirren continued to press ahead for the equaliser and Wardlaw nearly scored his first goal for the Saints when he ran through on goal, but his final shot trundled into the side netting.

St Mirren would level though and in great style too. Lynch surged down the right-hand side and found Love to the left, who sent a spectacular curling shot into the left-hand side of goal, and levelled the match with just two minutes remaining.

It finished 2-2 at Glebe Park, and although it was not a win for the Saints, we can certainly take many positives from the game, including the development and performance of the younger players who were in the squad who adapted well and did not look out of place, particularly Ally Love who took his goal extremely well at the end.

Full-time: Brechin City 2-2 Saints

Brechin City: Scott, McLean, Cook, McGlaughlan, White, Janczyk, Molloy, Fusco, McAllister, Docherty, McKenna.
Subs: King, Moyes, Byres, Gray, Donald, Potter, Trialist, Nelson (GK).

St Mirren: Samson, van Zanten, Bradley, McAusland, Travner, Murray, Glass*, Brady, Robb, Wardlaw, McQuade.
Subs: Lynch*, Love, McShane, Faulds, McLennan, McKernon, Mathers (GK).

* - Trialist

Referee: Mr Willie Collum.

Star Saint: Danny Lennon opted to give Garry Brady a wider role tonight and he did well, creating many chances throughout the game. The midfielder looked composed throughout the match and was involved in most balls going forward, including an assist for the opening Saints goal.

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