Match Report - By John Hoey

City and St. Mirren shared four goals in an entertaining friendly fixture at Glebe Park last night.

City got their noses in front twice with goals from Rory McAlllister and Paul McLean, but Saints managed to come back at them with Steven Robb and Ally Love scoring their goals.

City gave a good account of themselves against their Premier League opponents and manager Jim Weir felt that it was a very useful exercise ahead of this weekend's Alba Cup opener against East Fife at New Bayview.

" It was another good exercise for us," said Jim.

" In the first-half I felt we deserved to go in at the break in front in what was quite difficult conditions."

" We had the better chances. We didn't start all that well and I felt that we allowed St.Mirren far too much respect."

" They obviously got a kick up the backside at half-time and they took the game to us in the second-half and probably deserved to level the match.!."

" From our point of view, we had to contend with a few injuries which didn't help and had to draft some under 19 players into the squad but over the piece I felt that it was a good workout for the players."

Asked about whether he planned to add to the squad, the manager said that he had room to bring in possibly one other player but it had to be the right player and he wouldn't be rushing into things and would re-assess the situation in around a month's time.

Defences were on top in the early stages with the game being evenly contested. City almost grabbed the lead after 14 minutes when Hugh Murray almost put the ball into his own net but the Buddies had a chance after 25 minutes when Gerry McGlauchlan headed a Stephen Glass shot off the line.

David White did well in the 37th minute when he headed in a Neil Janczyk corner but Craig Samson brought off a fine save and just seconds later, David McKenna was unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the box hit the post.

The goal though was only delayed, and it came a minute before the break.

Craig Molloy chipped the ball across the penalty-box for Paul McLean whose header looked netbound but Rory McAllister made sure by forcing the ball across the line.

Saints started the second-half on the attack and were level within seven minutes.

Garry Brady passed to John McShane, wide on the right and when his cross came into the box, Steven Robb was on the spot to send a low drive beyond the reach of Craig Nelson.

City battled on however and got their noses in front for the second time when Paul McLean was on hand to drill a Charlie King corner into the net.

Saints probably had just the better of the latter exchanges and they equalised with just a couple of minutes remaining when substitute Ally Love picked up the ball on the left and then cut in before sending a superb left-foot drive into the top corner of the net.