Martin Cameron scored his 18th goal of the season to earn all three points for St Mirren against 10-man Ross County at Love Street.

Both teams started brightly but it was Saints who were the first to threaten.

Striker Martin Cameron tried his luck from 25 yards but his speculative right-foot shot flew just over the crossbar.

With new signing Ally Mitchell showing great industry in the middle of the park for the Buddies the home side poured forward, and it took the visitors until the 12th minute to threaten themselves.

Simon Lappin was forced to head clear from the goal-line after County's Graham Bayne managed to head over home keeper Ludovic Roy in the six-yard area.

County's Kenneth Gilbert had a decent long-range effort spilled by Roy but Saints managed to clear the danger.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in 26 minutes when, after struggling to contain a long ball, Sean Webb handled the ball to prevent Junior Mendes' getting in on goal.

County continued to battle away despite being down to 10 men and Roy had to be alert to save Hugh Robertson's free-kick.

At the other end, Mendes sent a good header wide - the closest either team came to a breakthrough.

With just two minutes left before the interval, Ricky Gillies drove a fierce right-foot shot just wide.

The Buddies nearly opened the scoring after 55 minutes when Lappin crossed for Gillies who placed his header inches past the post.

County were now struggling with their 10 men, but they should have done better after 58 minutes, when new recruit Tassos Venetis fastened on to Canning's pass only to blaze the ball wide.

They were made to pay when Saints broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

The impressive Mendes outstripped the Ross defence and knocked the ball through to Cameron who drilled a left-foot shot beyond Bullock into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

St Mirren: Roy, Guy, A Trialist, Denham, Baker, Gillies, Murray, Lappin, Mitchell, Cameron, Mendes.

Subs: Broadfoot, Lowing, Kerr, Dunbar, Robertson.

Ross County: Bullock, Canning, Irvine, Webb, Robertson, Gilbert, Venetis, McCulloch, McLeish, Bayne, Hislop.

Subs: Winters, Perry, Cowie, McGarry, Fridge.

Referee: Brian Cassidy