A dramatic late Motherwell equaliser cost St Mirren two points as their top six push hit a bump in the road.
Deadline day signing Alex Gogic wasted no time in endearing himself to his new supporters after heading in St Mirren's opener.
Having only joined the club the day before, the Hibs loanee found himself thrust into the action from the bench in the first half in place of the injured Eamonn Brophy.
After a woeful opening 45 minutes, the game improved in the second half with Jak Alnwick and Liam Kelly both producing some fine saves to keep the scores level.
That set the scene for former Hamilton Accies midfielder Gogic to rise tallest and nod in for the Buddies from a pinpoint Connor Ronan corner.
That looked to have set the Saints on the road to their fourth victory on the bounce since returning from the winter break.
But there was a late sting in the tail as Ross Tierney fired into the top corner at the start of extra-time to earn the Steelmen a share of the spoils.
St Mirren started life without playmaker Jamie McGrath, who left the club extremely late on deadline day to join Wigan Athletic after a long-drawn out month of transfer speculation.
Boss Jim Goodwin handed a debut to new recruit Jordan Jones, who came straight into the starting XI having joined on a loan deal from McGrath's new club Wigan.
Hibs midfielder Gogic, who also joined on a temporary deal until the end of the season on Monday, was handed a space on the bench alongside Ryan Flynn and Ethan Erhahon.
Motherwell fired off an early warning shot as Sean Goss found a pocket of space before unleashing a long-range effort that sailed harmlessly wide of the post.
The Buddies were disjointed in the opening quarter of an hour, with Connor Ronan and Alan Power unable to link up in midfield and keep hold of possession.
Ronan eventually sent Jay Henderson racing down the wing with a clever through ball as the Saints finally unlocked the Steelmen's defence, with the winger's low cross hacked desperately clear by a retreating defender.
The Buddies suffered an early blow when injury-plagued striker Eamonn Brophy went down with a muscle injury.
He hobbled off to be replaced by midfielder Gogic to make his debut in the stripes, with the home side left without a recognised striker up front.
It was left to winger Jones to lead the line, with the Saints looking increasingly toothless up front.
Goss tested Alnwick's reflexes with a fierce drive from a wide position, with the visitors spending more and more time in the St Mirren half.
A cut back from a break forward saw Goss again go close to opening the scoring, with Alnwick again pulling off an excellent save to deny the winger and keep the scores level.
Saints' passing continued to let them down, with Goodwin's side spurning excellent chances with woeful final balls on numerous occasions.
As a truly forgettable first half drew to a close the Buddies created their best chance of the opening 45 minutes.
Wolves loanee Ronan burst down the right wing before delivering a teasing cross to Gogic at the back post, whose goal-bound shot deflected away for a corner.
After a first half where it seemed like both teams were playing a 'who can give away the ball more times' competition, the Saints faithful were praying their team would click into gear after the break.
It was Motherwell that started the second half more brightly though, with Motherwell skipper Stephen O'Donnell picking out substitute Ross Tierney at the back post. His shot was well-blocked, with the follow-up also deflected away to safety.
St Mirren battled back into the game and almost broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Richard Tait looked to have opened the scoring with a close-range header. Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly did brilliantly to claw his effort away.
Goodwin finally introduced Lee Erwin to the action to give the Buddies a recognised striker and outlet up front, with Ryan Flynn replacing Jones shortly after.
The game was threatening to burst into some form of life as this time the Steelmen threatened to open the scoring. Kevin van Veen was sent in over the top and he unleashed a powerful effort that Alnwick did well to palm away to safety.
Both side's were taking it in turns to go close. Ronan's deep cross eventually found Gogic at the back post who in turn found Marcus Fraser.
The defender cut inside before curling a tame effort meekly over the bar, before Flynn went even closer with a fierce strike that Kelly acrobatically tipped over the bar.
Half a minute later the Buddies did take the lead. Connor Ronan's expertly taken corner picked out Gogic, who glanced a header past Kelly to put his new side in front.
With the game heading into extra-time, it looked like St Mirren would pick up their fourth win on the bounce.
But there was a final twist for the hosts as substitute Kaiyne Woolery fired across the box from the right flank, with Tierney on hand to shoot straight into the top-right corner and earn the Steelmen a dramatic point.
