A first Motherwell goal from Ross Tierney salvaged a 1-1 Premiership draw for the Steelmen away to St Mirren.
A tight opening hour played out before Steelmen goalkeeper Liam Kelly was called into an outstanding reflex save on the line as Saints looked destined to score through Richard Tait's header.
Kevin Van Veen had a big chance at the other end and it proved costly when Alex Gogic cannoned a header into the net less than 24 hours after arriving at St Mirren on loan from Hibs.
Graham Alexander's team remain fourth by two clear points after Tierney's strike in stoppage time denied a win for Jim Goodwin's team, who are ninth.
New Buddies signing Jordan Jones and ex-Steelman Tait came in for Jamie McGrath and Scott Tanser. Saints were dealt a transfer deadline day blow with McGrath's move south to Wigan.
Motherwell meanwhile had an absence in Barry Maguire and that opened up Liam Donnelly to return from suspension in midfield. Bevis Mugabi returned to defence, with attacking midfielder Ross Tierney dropping out.
Saints had most of the possession early doors but created next to no attacking chances with it inside the game's opening 10 minutes. They did get behind 'Well's defence on 14 minutes through Jay Henderson, but Sondre Solholm Johansen averted danger.
Connor Ronan's long-range effort from the resulting corner was speculative. Eamonn Brophy went down injured on 22 minutes and the striker forced the home side into a tactical switch, defensive midfielder Gogic on. Motherwell then pressed at the other end and Nathan McGinley's 25th minute shot was blocked.
Sean Goss' effort was better two minutes later but still simple for St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick to deal with. He had another effort on 28 minutes which Alnwick had to react quickly to.
It all petered out after that as neither side managed to obtain a foothold in attacking chances or possession before the break. Gogic went close just minutes before the whistle but that was that.
More final third quality was needed if either side had ambition of winning this one. Tierney had replaced Liam Shaw from the 'Well bench and Alnwick was needed to deny the Irishman a first claret and amber goal on 51 minutes.
Kelly has made many great saves for his team this season and another was needed to deny Saints. Even by his standards, clawing Tait's 58th minute header off the line was impressive.
It was the best chance of the game as both teams toiled in their pursuit of any forward joy. Somebody had to finish one of their few chances and Van Veen really should have.
Callum Slattery's great ball in behind put the Dutchman through with Alnwick, who made light work of a stop with his feet on 71 minutes. Lee Erwin responded with a St Mirren effort 12 minutes from time but it was well over.
Ryan Flynn's effort was superbly tipped over by Kelly a couple minutes later but he could do nothing to prevent the home side going ahead.
Signed on loan from Hibs the day previous, former Hamilton man Gogic haunted his former rivals with a header off the post and in to seal what looked like a big Saints win nine minutes from time.
But Tierney was on hand to claim a 'Well point with the last kick of the game, a nice finish into the top corner. It sealed a late away point when one looked further and further away.
St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy, Dunne, Tait, Power, Ronan, Henderson, Kiltie, Jones, Brophy (Gogic, 22).
Subs: Lyness, Millar, Erhahon, Flynn, Gogic, Erwin.
Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, Solholm, Mugabi, Carroll, McGinley, Goss, Donnelly, Slattery, Shaw (Tierney, 30) Van Veen.
Subs: Fox, Woolery, Ojala, Amaluzor, Efford, Grimshaw, Roberts, Nirennold.
Booked: Slattery.
Attendance: 4937.
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