St Mirren won away to Dumbarton for the first time since 1996 to end the first quarter of the season on top of the league.
Goals from Gavin Reilly and John Sutton saw the Buddies win 2-0 and extend their lead at the top to three points.
Saints looked in the mood from the off - almost taking the lead with less than two minutes gone. Adam Eckersley swung a ball in from the left to the far end of the box where it met Ross Stewart. The striker, making his first league start for St Mirren, had ex-Saints goalkeeper Scott Gallacher beaten only for experienced Sons defender Andy Dowie to head off the line.
Dumbarton quickly broke up the field as they looked to grab an early opener, but Mark Stewart glanced his header wide.
The match's frantic pace wasn't about to slow down with Stephen McGinn going close to breaking the deadlock on four minutes. A short corner routine found the captain in acres of space inside the box. He took a touch to compose himself before seeing his effort blocked by the feet of Gallacher.
Both goalkeepers were made to work in the early exchanges with Craig Samson making a terrific save to deny Dimitris Froxylias. The Cypriot winger was found on the right before cutting inside and curling an effort towards the far post with Samson's fingertips clawing the ball wide. Froxylias went close again on 19 minutes when he curled a similar attempt by the post.
Sandwiched between those Froxylias effort's, Gallacher had to be alert when a snap shot from Cammy Smith bounced in front of the keeper. He did well to push it wide before Jack Baird headed just by the post from the resultant corner.
After an opening 20 minutes in which it was hard to catch breath the game hit a bit of a lull until 33 minutes when Gavin Reilly looked destined to open the scoring. He was slipped in by Cammy Smith but the slightest of touches from Gallacher sent his shot wide.
Reilly wouldn't be denied though as he opened the scoring three minutes later. McGinn, who looked like he could have gotten a shot away from the edge of the box, sent a nice ball out to the left to Adam Eckersley. The left back chipped the ball into the path of Reilly who got ahead of the Dumbarton defence to nod beyond Gallacher to give Saints a deserved lead. It was the striker's 10th goal since joining from Hearts in the summer and gave the Buddies the advantage going into the break.
Half Time: Dumbarton 0-1 St Mirren
The home side started the second half the better of the two as they attempted to get back into the match.
Christian Nade picked out ex-Saints loanee Tom Walsh in a good position inside the box only for the winger to fire over. Mark Stewart then spurned a decent opportunity when he hit an effort straight at Craig Samson. Sons were then awarded a soft free kick when Froxylias went down, but the Cypriot swung the ball beyond the post.
Ian McShane, who arguably had his best game in a St Mirren jersey, almost caught out Gallacher with a free kick. It was driven low with the goalkeeper spilling the ball and Dumbarton managing to get it clear.
The hosts then had a succession of corner kicks as they looked to grab an equaliser on the hour mark. Twice, Craig Samson had to tip the ball over the bar before Saints eventually dealt with the pressure.
Lewis Morgan, back from international duty with the Scotland U21s, almost grabbed the all important second for Saints when he drove forward and unleashed a hell of a shot from 25 yards out. It was a fierce effort which had to be pushed wide by Gallacher.
Saints would get that second goal on 70 minutes to give themselves a cushion. Substitute John Sutton rose above the Sons defence to bullet home his 45 goal in the black and white of St Mirren to all but seal the three points. That goal took the stuffing out of Dumbarton and effectively killed the game.
There was a nice moment for Kyle Magennis as he made his return to first team action after injury in pre-season to a thunderous ovation from the Saints support.
St Mirren saw the match out and ended the first set of fixtures this season with seven wins from nine while extending their lead at the top of the table.
Full Time: Dumbarton 0-2 St Mirren
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Eckersley, Morgan (Magennis 84), McShane, McGinn, C.Smith, R. Stewart (Sutton 55), Reilly (Stelios 87)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, MacPherson, Kirkpatrick, Duffy
Dumbarton: Gallacher, Wardrop, Dowie, Barr, McLaughlin, Froxylias, Wilson, Hutton, Walsh (Johnston 84), M.Stewart (Roy 75), Nade (Morrison 75)
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Gallagher, Prior
Referee: Alan Newlands
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee: Scott Leslie
Attendance: 1,178
Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography
