St Mirren's Betfred Cup campaign got off to a winning start as the Buddies came from behind to defeat Stranraer at Stair Park. 

Scott Agnew gave the home side the lead before goals from Gavin Reilly, Ross Stewart, Lewis Morgan and Gregor Buchanan sealed an emphatic win for Saints.

Ian McShane almost made himself an instant Saints hero with just six minutes on the clock. The new signing played a neat one-two with Cammy Smith, finding himself one-on-one with Stranraer goalkeeper Cameron Belford. But the goalie did well to block with the rebound coming off McShane's knee and bouncing wide. 

However, it was the Stranraer who drew first blood as the home side took the lead on 11 minutes through ex-Saint Scott Agnew. It was three on two in favour of the home side with Ryan Wallace slipping the ball through to midfielder Agnew who slotted beyond Craig Samson. 

Saints were level just before the half hour mark with a debut goal from Gavin Reilly. Morgan picked the ball up from McShane and went on a driving run before crashing an effort off the post. Reilly was in the right place at the right time as he took a touch before finishing beyond Belford.

The Buddies kept on the pressure and took the lead four minutes later. This time it was Ross Stewart's turn to notch a debut goal. A free kick from deep in the Stranraer half was headed on inside the box by Gregor Buchanan, falling invitingly for Smith whose shot was well saved by Belford. It then fell to Stewart who was on hand to tap home to put the visitors ahead. 

Stranraer went close to restoring parity when they won a free kick after goalscorer Agnew was felled. Wallace and Agnew stood over the ball, but it was the former who took a pop and he wasn't far away as it whistled just over the bar.

But it was St Mirren who would further extend their lead before the half time interval. Smith picked out an unmarked Morgan 25 yards out from a corner kick. The young winger, Saints Player of the Year last season, rifled an effort towards the ruck of bodies in the box with it striking off a Blues player and nestling into the far corner of the net.

McShane was unlucky not to have added his name to the debutant scorers in the first half when he broke through on the right hand side of the box and saw his powerful effort expertly pushed away by Belford. 

Half Time: Stranraer 1-3 St Mirren

The hosts went close to narrowing the deficit early into the second half when a free kick from the left by Agnew was glanced wide by Tom Lang. 

And how that would prove to be an real chance gone when Buchanan added his name to the list of debutant scorers for St Mirren 10 minutes after the restart. McShane whipped a corner deep to the back post where it met the head of the defender who nodded beyond Belford to put the Buddies out of sight.

Saints were well in control and it would take a minor miracle for the Blues to get back into the match but the visitors still had to be alert. Jamie Hamill twice forced Craig Samson to push away efforts with Agnew also drilling an effort towards the top corner, only to see Samson knock it wide.

Stewart should have nabbed his second of the match, and St Mirren's fifth, after getting on the end of a poor Stranraer backpass. He stole the attempted ball back to the goalkeeper and burst through only to be thwarted by Belford who clawed the shot away.

Samson made another good save late in the match to deny Morgen Neill a consolation goal, but in the end Saints triumphed comfortably and lead Group H after the first round of matches.

Full Time: Stranraer 1-4 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, Irvine, Buchanan, MacKenzie, Stelios, McGinn, McShane (Quinn 73), Stewart, Smith (O'Keefe 78), Morgan, Reilly (Kirkpatrick 69)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Baird, MacPherson, Sutton

Stranraer: Belford, Robertson, Dick, Neill, Lang, Bell (Okoh 59), Anderson (Woods 59), Hamill, Thomson, Agnew, Wallace (Stoney 59)
Subs Not Used: Currie, Barron, McGowan, Turner

Referee: Colin Steven

Attendance: 849

Match Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

The 2017/18 season gets underway for St Mirren tomorrow as they travel to Stranraer in the first match of Group H in the Betfred Cup. 

It's the first competitive match for Saints following last season's dramatic end, with Ladbrokes Championship survival confirmed on the final day. 

A 1-1 draw with Hibernian was enough to see the Buddies avoid a relegation play-off spot and end the campaign in seventh place.

St Mirren's cup form was a bright spot in what was a difficult season with the side reaching the IRN-BRU Cup final and the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup last season.

However, the Buddies narrowly failed to qualify from the Betfred Cup groups on goal difference. Wins over Livingston, Ayr United and Edinburgh City saw the St Mirren finish with nine points, but it was United who progressed ahead of the Saints by virtue of being one goal better off.

Like Saints, Stranraer also finished third in a tough group that contained Premiership sides Rangers and Motherwell. 

Pre-season for Jack Ross' side has saw emphatic wins over Inverness Clachnacuddin and Nairn County, while there was a 3-1 defeat to Dundee at the Paisley 2021 Stadium before a goalless draw against Alloa last weekend. 

Tomorrow's hosts also won two, drew one and lost won with victories over Larne and Partick Thistle, a draw with Dumbarton and defeat to Dutch side FC Twente. 

The manager has been busy in the transfer market with new signing Ian McShane, who officially put pen to paper on a two-year deal yesterday, in line to feature against the League One side. 

Jordan Kirkpatrick, Ross Stewart, Ross Stewart, Gavin Reilly, Dale Hilson, Gregor Buchanan, Cammy Smith and Craig Samson have also joined the Buddies this summer. 

Hilson is set to miss out for Saints due to injury, but the rest could be set for their St Mirren debuts tomorrow. Josh Todd is ruled out due to a dislocated shoulder, while Kyle Magennis and Adam Eckersley both remain out. 

Saints will come up against a few familiar faces with David Barron and Scott Agnew part of the Stranraer squad. The Blues' Kyle Turner - the son of ex-St Mirren captain Tommy Turner - also spent time in the St Mirren youth academy. 

St Mirren finished the 2016/17 campaign on a high and the memory of the 1-1 draw at Easter Road that secured survival is sure to live on in the memories of Saints supporters for a long time.

There's a feeling of excitement around the Buddies and a win tomorrow would be the perfect way to get things underway for the season ahead.

St Mirren new boy Ian McShane believes he's joined a team that can challenge at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.

The midfielder joined the club on a two-year deal yesterday after negotiating his release from Premiership side Ross County. 

And he could be set to make his Saints debut tomorrow as Jack Ross' side take on Stranraer in the Betfred Cup.

Speaking to stmirren.com about the move, McShane said: "I can't wait to get going now and hopefully playing regular football again. 

"I played a couple of friendly games and took part in every training session at Ross County. It was a tough few weeks we had, but I'm glad to be here and have everything sorted. 

"I was delighted to hear of the interest and I can't wait to get going. 

"I think there is a good squad here and I think we can go and do something at the top end of the league.

The 24 year-old joins up with his former Queen of the South manager James Fowler and teammate Gavin Reilly, while he also knows Rocco Quinn from his time at County.

He confessed that makes the transition to a new club easier.

It's good when you come in and know people and they tell you what the club is about.

"It's nice to have a few familiar faces there on the first day."

McShane played with Jason Naismith while at Ross County and he said that the ex-Saint helped sell him on the move. 

I spoke to him about it and he said he loved it here."

"He had brilliant things to say so that put my mind at ease about coming here."

Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 15th July), St Mirren make the trip south-west to face Stranraer in the Buddies' first group match of the Betfred Cup campaign at Stair Park.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Stair Park for the match is as follows:

North End Travel Club

The bus to Stranraer will leave the Sneddon at 11:00am.

All seats on this bus are £8 each. Bus tickets for NON-MEMBERS are now on sale in The Brewers Tap.

Chivas Travel Club

The bus for the cup tie at Stranraer will leave The Court Bar at 11:00am.

Bus tickets are now on sale at the pub.

Any Saints' fans wishing to join the Travel Club for next season should contact The Court Bar and leave their name and a contact number.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 15th July, St Mirren kick-off the new season as they head south-west to face Stranraer in a Betfred Cup group match.

The gate prices have now been confirmed for the fixture at Stair Park and these are shown above.

Disabled supporters/wheelchair users can enter the stadium via the pavilion.

The referee tomorrow is Colin Steven and he will be assisted by Graham McNeillie and Steven Strang.

For fans making the trip through to Stair Park please note that they will be welcome at the ‘Fitba Bar’ which is close to the stadium. There is also a match day bar at the ground which is open to both supports on the day.

For directions to Stair Park click here

St Mirren have this afternoon signed midfielder Ian McShane from Ladbrokes Premiership side Ross County.

The 24-year-old has signed a deal with The Buddies until the summer of 2019.

A youth player with Queen of the South, Ian broke through to The Doonhamers first team squad going on to make 95 appearances for the Dumfries side before heading north to Dingwall in July 2015 where he made 39 appearances for The Staggies.

The 2017/18 Ladbrokes Championship season gets up and going on Saturday 5th August when St Mirren play host to Falkirk and then three weeks later Dundee United are the next visitors on league business to The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Tickets for both of these matches are now on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office and the Online Ticket Shop. The details are as follows:

St Mirren v Falkirk
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 5th August 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Season Tickets ARE valid for this game.

Match is all ticket – tickets will be on sale (subject to availability) UNTIL KICK OFF.

Tickets for this match are now on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office and the Online Ticket Shop.

Ticket Prices

Main Stand (Padded Seats)

Adult – £22
OAP (over 65) – £12
Student – £12
Child (Under 18) – £12

Main Stand (Regular Seats)

Adult – £20
OAP (over 65) – £10
Student – £10
Child (Under 18) – £10
Child (Under 12) – £5
Unemployed – £10
Wheelchair User – £10
Carer – Free

West Stand

Adult – £20
OAP (over 65) – £10
Student – £10
Child (Under 18) – £10
Child (Under 12) – £5
Unemployed – £10
Wheelchair User – £10
Carer – Free

West College Scotland Family (South) Stand

Adult – £20
OAP (over 65) – £10
Student – £10
Unemployed – £10
Child (Under 18) – £5
Child (Under 12) – £2
Wheelchair User – £10
Carer – Free

North Stand (Away Fans)

Adult – £20
OAP (over 65) – £10
Child (Under 18) – £10
Child (Under 12) – £5
Wheelchair User – £10
Carer – FREE

St Mirren v Dundee United
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Paisley 2021 Stadium, Paisley
Date: Saturday 26th August 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Season Tickets ARE valid for this game.

Match is all ticket – tickets will be on sale (subject to availability) UNTIL KICK OFF.

Tickets for this match are now on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office and the Online Ticket Shop.

See 'St Mirren v Falkirk' above for match ticket prices.

The St Mirren Ticket Office opening hours for the remainder of this week are as follows:

Thu, Jul 13th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Fri, Jul 14th – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sat, Jul 15th – CLOSED

St Mirren Ticket Office Tel: (0141) 840-6130.

St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Gregor Buchanan says he can't wait for competitive football to get underway as St Mirren's 2017/18 campaign officially gets underway this weekend.

The Buddies travel to Stranraer on Saturday to face the League One side in the first match in the Betfred Cup group stages. 

And the 27 year-old, who joined the Buddies in May after leaving fellow Championship side Dumbarton, admits he is eager to get going. 

I'm looking forward to Saturday," he told stmirren.com. 

"You look at the calendar all pre-season and see that first game.  

"The Betfred Cup is now a stage where everybody wants to do well.

"It's going to be a tough group but we are expected to get out of it."

Like Saints teammate Gavin Reilly, Buchanan says he is a fan of the group stage format that came into being last season.

The defender believes it has freshened up the competition and points to last year's final between Aberdeen and Celtic as showing its importance. 

It has probably helped the competition," he said.

"It's given it a facelift and I think it's important to keep refreshing things.

"It seemed to be an exciting competition last season and it was two big teams that were in the final and that shows you how important a competition it is.

"We want to do well in it."

Buchanan is delighted to be back in full-time football after his spell with Dumbarton and says he is going to work as hard as he can to earn himself a place in the starting eleven. 

It's been really good," he said of his short time at St Mirren so far.

"I feel like I've come in and settled in pretty quickly which is important.

"Getting back to full time was what I was aiming for, so I'm just giving me all every day and trying to work my way into the team. 

"There's an intensity every day especially with what the manager wants. He wants us to play at a good level so you have to be fit and sharp and he wants that every day.

"That's my main focus - to be at that stage every day so I'm happy with that. 

"I'm just getting used to what the manager wants and I'm doing everything I can to be in his plans."

Tickets for the Betfred Cup Group Stage matches against Livingston and Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium are on sale.

Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. 

Season ticket holders have until Midnight on Sunday 16th July to reserve their own seat for the Livingston match and until Wednesday 25th July to reserve their seat for the Airdrieonians match. After this time all seats will be sold on a first come first served basis. 

Livingston supporters will be placed in the Family Stand creating a mixed family zone as we have done previously against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup in January 2016.

Saints get their Betfred Cup campaign underway this weekend as we travel to Stranraer to face the League One side. That match is pay-at-the-gate with admission prices of £15 (adults), £10 (concessions), £5 (secondary school child). 

Our match against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday 22nd July is also pay-at-the-gate with admission prices of £12 (adults) and £6 (concessions). 

The club is looking for ball boys and girls for the upcoming Betfred Cup matches against Livingston and Airdrieonians at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

We have 14 spaces for kids aged 10-12 years old and these will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Due to such an overwhelming response we are no longer looking for anyone for these matches. Thanks to all who have been in touch.