St Mirren’s new kebab pies went down a treat but it ended up more like a kebab shop at four in the morning as the sides managed to take away a point a piece in a bonkers finale.
The young team contingent of both clubs ended up on the pitch as Ross Tierney grabbed a stoppage time leveller for Motherwell after debut ace Alex Gogic looked to have made it four wins on the spin for the Saints.
It was a mental end to a game that for 80 minutes looked like the new delicacy was going to be the highlight.
The pair of them made a meal of in in the final third and couldn’t find any way past keepers Liam Kelly and Jak Alnwick.
But Gogic sparked a crazy climax and Tierney sent the away section over the hoardings and in to a near rammy with the Paisley singing sections.
Talk about coming out of nowhere.
It was instant impact for two of the January arrivals.
Saints boss Jim Goodwin got busy on deadline day with plenty of scheming to do to land the new boys – with Jordan Jones handed a start and Gogic on the bench..
But he also had to reluctantly bid farewell to Jamie McGrath.
The Buddies gaffer might secretly be relieved he can’t be asked about the talented Irish ace’s future any more, but there’s still no doubt the departure left a hefty hole in the squad.
In contrast, 'Well gaffer Graham Alexander enjoyed a more relaxing final day of the window, with his work for the window done fairly early.
He also managed to fend off Dundee until the summer with Ricki Lamie, even thought the defender didn’t make the jaunt to Paisley.
Bevis Mugabi did and he was back in the side after sitting out the defeat to Hearts at the weekend.
Alexander wanted more of a cutting edge and Sean Goss nearly supplied it early on when he did well to turn and flash a drive just wide of the post amid a cagey start from both sides.
In fairness, the pair of them were probably trying to figure out what the wind was doing.
Mugabi nearly bundled in from a corner but St Mirren were actually the ones zipping the ball around quite nicely considering the conditions.
Conor Ronan had the goal of season award in his mind when the ball dropped to him from a great height but his slightly ambitious volley could have taken out any low flying aircraft.
Eamonn Brophy limping off inside 23 minutes wasn’t part of the Saints plan – but it did get Gogic in to the action, even if it was a strange move going without a recognised striker.
The on loan Hibs enforcer’s first act was to cement Liam Donnelly in the middle of the pitch and leave a calling card
It was a sign Well were beginning to squeeze and Alnwick had to look lively to keep Goss at bay, clutching one effort and then beating away another drive from the same man soon after.
Motherwell were going through a re-jig after Liam Shaw was forced off after a bump on the head when Gogic popped up in the penalty area, only for his back post effort to deflect wide.
The second half didn’t exactly have much to live up to and Saints had to find a way to get Jones in to the game. Charles Dunne almost smuggled in at the back stick against his old club but it
was Well who should have went ahead when sub Ross Tierney managed to find a ton of space after being picked out by Callum Slattery.
He raced through only for Alnwick to block and Donnelly’s dig from distance when the ball was only half cleared couldn’t find a way through the crowd.
Saints must have thought they were ahead moments later – only for Liam Kelly to make a superb save.
The keeper somehow managed to get across the line and claw the ball out from Richard Tait’s goalbound diving header at the back stick.
Not long after Kevin van Veen finally got the sight of goal he craved – but Alnwick stood big to narrow the angle and block the Dutchman’s dig.
Kelly brilliantly tipped over Ryan Flynn’s curling shot from 20 yards.
But he had no chance as Gogic became an instant hero when he headed in off the post after the ball was worked over from the corner.
Alexander chucked Mugabi up front for the final push and the pressure paid off as Tierney pounced on a loose ball in the box and coolly tucked in the top corner to kick start the mayhem.
