ST Mirren warmed up for the start of the new season with a 3-1 win over Stenhousemuir at Ochilview Park on Saturday.

The Buddies’ front men stole the show as David Clarkson and John Sutton got the goals. Clarkson’s second goal was the highlight of the afternoon – a sublime lofted finish from the edge of the box.

St Mirren started brightly as Sutton won a corner in the opening minute. From Stevie Mallan’s delivery the ball broke to Kyle Hutton on the edge of the area but his half-volley was blocked and then cleared.

Rocco Quinn was the next to try his luck for the Buddies. A cross from the right by Jason Naismith eluded everyone and fell to him, in an unfamiliar left midfield position for the day. The former Ross County man took a touch then screwed his shot wide.

But it was Stenhousemuir who took the lead in the 13th minute after the first good move of the match. Kieran Millar did well to keep possession under pressure in midfield before the ball was fed out right to Jack Smith on the right.

He took a good touch inside Gary Irvine, who lost his footing, leaving space for the former Buddie to advance and finish into the far corner past Scott Gallacher.

There was little urgency from either side with both playing in fits and starts. Calum Gallagher forced Stenny goalkeeper Colin McCabe into his first save of the game after 25 minutes. |He chested down a Quinn cross and struck a crisp right-footed shot but it was too close to McCabe, who pushed the ball clear.

The Saints soon had the offside flag to thank for keeping the deficit at one. A free kick from Stephen Stirling was headed in by Jamie McCormack but the flag went straight up.

Alex Rae’s men heeded the warning and were quickly level. After 36 minutes a miscued Stevie Mallan corner was cleared back to the midfielder. He then showed great skill to coast past his man to the byline before cutting back for Ben Gordon to shoot at goal. His effort was spilled by McCabe and Clarkson was on hand to prod home.

The second half trudged on with both teams showing little in the way urgency. St Mirren introduced Lewis Morgan and Nathan Flannigan – who was making his first-team debut – early in the second period, Flannigan was making his first team debut.

Saints were then sparked into life by Sutton, who fired the Paisley side in front. The former Motherwell striker robbed Fraser Kerr before playing a one-two with Clarkson and finishing smartly into the corner.

Clarkson was not to be outdone and he soon produced the highlight of the game. Substitute Jack Baird, with his first touch of the match, picked out the striker. Clarkson took it first time on the half-volley from the left corner of the box, guiding the ball into the far corner.

It was a terrific finish which would prove the standout moment of an otherwise mundane pre-season affair.

Clarkson had a chance for his hat-trick in the closing stages but he screwed a strike from range high and wide.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Webster, Gordon (Baird, 66), Irvine (Stewart, 79), Quinn, Hutton (Morgan, 54), Mallan, Gallagher (Flannigan, 62), Clarkson, Sutton.

Subs (not used): Langfield, Fawkes, McAllister, McLear.