Lifelong St Mirren fan Steven McGarry was the happiest man in Paisley after his 83rd-minute goal gave Saints their first win and first points back in the SPL with a 2-1 victory over Dundee..

The Scotland Under-21 striker volleyed home the winner seven minutes from the end of an exciting encounter at Love Street.

The drama began after only 18 seconds when Dundee's Argentinian striker Juan Sara was booked for diving as he went to ground when tackled inside the St Mirren penalty area.

Sara hit the deck again after four minutes. Referee Hugh Dallas again refused the penalty but showed clemency and allowed Sara to play on.

For the remainder of the first half the Argentinian attacker and his Dundee team-mates were seen doing more defending as Saints pressed forward.

But the home side found the visitors' giant goalkeeper Robert Douglas a barrier they could not breach as he pulled off four saves before the interval.

Iain Nicholson twice failed to beat Douglas in the opening 13 minutes and further saves from Ian Ross and Steven McGarry were also out of the top drawer.

Not that it was all one-way-traffic as Saints veteran skipper Tommy Turner twice made crucial clearances from Sara as Dundee broke with pace and skill.

Sara again came close at the start of the second half but his shot as he fell lacked pace.

Saints quickly countered and one-time Dundee defender Jamie McGowan came close with a snapshot at the back post.

Dundee's Javier Artero had been quiet in the first half but he got forward better after the break and Turner was again a hero for Saints as he twice denied him.

But as the game entered its final quarter Douglas was again the Dundee hero as he turned a Hugh Murray 30-yarder over the bar.

But after 69 minutes Douglas was left helpless as Ricky Gillies curled a 20-yard free kick into the corner to put Saints in front.

Their lead lasted just seven minutes before Sara for the third time went down in the St Mirren penalty area, this time from a McGowan tackle.

It was third time lucky as Mr Dallas gave the penalty which Sara himself converted.

But Saints weren't to be denied and with seven minutes left, up stepped McGarry to fire home that winning St Mirren goal.