by Holly McCormack at Victoria Park

St Mirren kicked off their Co-operative Insurance Cup campaign this season with a 3-3 (aet) defeat, over First Division side Ross County.

Both St Mirren and Ross County made it to Hampden last season in the Co-operative Cup and Scottish Cup respectively, but tonight it was Ross County who will progress into the 3rd round.

Ross County started the first half by far the better side, retaining the bulk of possession and certainly creating the most chances in the final third of the pitch. After ten minutes it was ex-saint, Richard Brittain who took advantage of the space ahead when he sprinted towards goal and sent his left footed shot towards Paul Gallacher, but the ball just inched to the right-hand side of the post.

Moments later it was Gary Miller who turned the provider to another ex-saint, the sweeping ball forward to Mark Corcoran, though it was just too long and the ball went out for a goal kick. Corcoran would press forward again though after just fourteen minutes, but his final effort was cut out by Ross County who seemed determined to press St Mirren and take an early advantage but their efforts were once again in vain, when Martin Scott's 35 yard effort, was well off target.

McGowan - who was making a return to the first team tonight after being ineligible to play against Celtic - with sixteen minutes gone used his skill and pace to play the ball through to Michael Higdon, but on this occasion the ball ran through for a goal kick. Higdon again tried to take advantage just minutes later, but the forward ball played through by Marc McAusland, was covered again by Ross County defender, Darren McCormack.

Craig Dargo was next to press forward with twenty minutes gone, he ran through to meet a Sean Lynch pass, but Dargo was unable to play in the shot, with County keeper Michael McGovern collecting the loose ball with no issue.

John Potter and Dargo both combined with twenty-five minutes played, again though unable to break down the Ross County defence, with Miller clearing any danger for the home team.

Corcoran certainly had a lively evening no doubt determined to try and score against his former side, and with just under thirty minutes on the clock, his sweeping free kick was well head by Gallacher, much to the relief of the travelling Saints support. Gardyne then combined with Scott for Ross County but McAusland was well positioned to see off any danger.

The home side continued to press throughout the first half, with their best chance of the half coming on the half hour mark. It was Gardyne again who was the creator for County but his left footed drive, just whistled past the right hand post. St Mirren however were unable to keep Scott out just seconds later when his header looked goalbound, but Gallacher was more than equal to the oncoming ball.

With the final five minutes of the first half approaching, St Mirren looked to move into a second gear and created more chances in the Ross County half. It was loan star McGowan who was unlucky not to put the Buddies in the lead, but his shot just sailed to the right of the post and out for a goal kick. Minutes later a McGowan corner found Dargo in the box, but his effort was well intercepted by the Staggies defence.

St Mirren would take the lead just minutes before half time. McGowan was again involved with the play as he sent his corner deep into the box, where it was met by McGregor, who made no mistake heading St Mirren into a half time lead.

Half-Time: Ross County 0-1 St Mirren

If there had been a lack of goals in the first half, the second half would not dissapoint. Ross County brought on Steven Craig not long into the second half for Wood, but it was Brittain who would have the first real chance of the second half. The swirling shot sent into the box by the ex Saint, just past the left hand post and the immediate danger was averted.

Ross County pressed for an equaliser and on the seventy minute mark, Boyd saw his header cleared off the line by Jure Travner, to keep the advantage with St Mirren. Just moments later there was to be an equaliser for the home side. It was Gardyne for County who seemed to skip past the St Mirren defence and rattle his final shot into the net, to see County level.

With seventy-eight minutes on the clock, there was to be a minute of goalmouth madness. Brittain prepared to take a free kick, and his inch perfect shot sailed into the back of the net, to place County ahead, even if just briefly. Determined to get back on level terms, St Mirren excelled up the park from the centre. Michael Higdon found himself with the loose ball inside the County box and showed experience and skill, to launch the ball into the back of the net. A minute of madness saw the game go from 1-1 to 2-2, with just over ten minutes for one team to press home an advantage.

St Mirren made a few changes to the team towards the end of the second half, with Robb and Van Zanten coming on Lynch and Dargo.

Neither Ross County or St Mirren were able to take advantage within the final ten minutes, and at 2-2 this cup tie in Dingwall, went on to extra time.

End of 90 mins: Ross County 2-2 St Mirren

Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Boyd, McCormack, Morrison, Brittain, Lawson, Scott (Vigurs 108), Corcoran, Gardyne, Wood (Craig 56).
Subs Not Used: Di Giacomo, Kettlewell, Malin (GK).

St Mirren: Gallacher, McAusland, Mair, Potter, Travner, McGregor, Murray, McGowan, Lynch (Robb 80), Dargo (van Zanten 83), Higdon.
Subs Not Used: Brady, McKernon, Samson (GK).

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Assistant Referee: Stephen Mitchell
Assistant Referee: Stuart Stevenson
4th Official: Frank McDermott

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