St Mirren have defeated Ross County in the Scottish Premiership with the visitors ending the match with nine men.

The home side started strongly as Steven Thompson missed an early chance, shooting wide from inside the area.

The hosts' pressure continued as the first half progressed. Kenny McLean failed to find the target when well placed, and a few minutes later his effort was blocked.

It was third time lucky for McLean, however, when he picked up Paul McGowan's pass and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Thompson then missed again, this time with a left-footed effort that drifted wide.

Danny Lennon's side doubled their advantage early in the second half when Thompson found Conor Newton, who calmly placed the ball into the net.

However, the visitors halved the deficit when Steve Saunders struck, although Ivan Sproule was red-carded only two minutes later for a foul.

County's afternoon then got worse as Saunders picked up his second yellow card in the space of three minutes to leave the Staggies down to nine men.

After that, St Mirren pushed forward in search of a third goal and came close through a Newton shot that was saved.