St Mirren 0, Motherwell 1: Van Veen the hero as 10-man Well hold out for win

Ten-man Motherwell got their Premiership campaign off to a bang with a slender opening day win at St Mirren.

Kevin van Veen bagged his first goal of the season from the spot with a controversial penalty award in 42 minutes, and although St Mirren will feel aggrieved not to have taken a point from this, they only have themselves the blame after passing up several gilt-edged chances.

Ryan Strain caused the Well rear-guard all sorts of problems, but if he had his shooting boots on the Saints star could have scored a double.

Motherwell even had the luxury of a red card with Ricki Lamie sent off for a rash challenge on Keanu Baccus, despite Saints' efforts to draw level.

St Mirren had been the better side up until that point, but Jonah Ayungah (twice) and Ryan Strain passed up decent chances from good positions.

Motherwell had battled well, but offered little up front until their goal, with the ball all too often by-passing the midfield.

Both clubs have had summers to forget for very different reasons, though it does remain to be seen if Saints will be looking for a new boss next week.

Motherwell are currently managerless, following their parting of the ways with Graham Alexander by 'mutual consent' on Friday evening, 24 hours after their dismal exit from the Europa Conference League qualifiers with a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Sligo Rovers.

Stevie Hammell and Brian Kerr took over dug-out duties this afternoon, and it remains to be seen if they propose to bid for the job full-time.

Stephen Robinson, in charge of a Paisley club with several of his former players from Fir Park, has been linked with a move back to Motherwell immediately after today's game.

Hammell made three changes to the side that lost in Sligo on Thursday