St Johnstone picked up a Premiership point to open their 2021/22 campaign - but were left to rue a missed Ali McCann penalty.
The influential midfielder blazed over a second half spot-kick in a game where clear-cut chances were few and far between.
Saints pushed for the winner in the closing stages but were unable to find a way through.
Around 300 away supporters - it sounded like more - were in attendance and what a fabulous sight that was to see.
It goes without saying that there were many chants about cup doubles. A personal favourite being “two cups, we only won two cups.”
That incredible achievement will never be forgotten but manager Callum Davidson’s attention had turned to a winning league start.
There was the familiar sight of Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart in front of goalkeeper Zander Clark to begin proceedings.
Manchester United loan youngster Reece Devine occupied the left wing-back role, while cup hero Shaun Rooney patrolled the right.
In the middle of the park was the experience of Murray Davidson alongside energetic Ali McCann, with David Wotherspoon and Michael O’Halloran also in from the start and tasked with creating.
Leading the line and handed a big chance to impress in the forward department was Callum Hendry.
It was up the other end where the first threat of the afternoon arrived and it was Blair Spittal’s cross that almost found Keith Watson at the back post.
And then Regan Charles-Cook was picked out in the box but his header was never going to trouble the net and drifted over.
Perth players, donned in their new red and white away kit, did begin to advance deep into Ross County territory and on nine minutes Devine fancied his chances from distance. His left-footed strike was deflected behind for a corner.
That corner was taken quickly to O’Halloran who drifted along the edge of the box and forced another smart stop out of Ross Laidlaw.
Perhaps the closest to an opener in the first half, though, came from the boot of former Saint Ross Callachan in the 36th minute.
A neat pass sent the midfielder inside the box at a tight angle and, from there, he guided a shot inches wide of the far post.
Little had separated the sides and that remained the case in the early stages of the second half. McCann did send a wicked delivery across the face of goal on the hour mark but there was no Perth taker.
O’Halloran soon opened his legs up and showed off his searing pace to beat Watson to the ball and advance into a promising position. He was unable to pick out one of his team-mates with the cut-back.
Then arrived the big chance when Saints were awarded a penalty on 69 minutes, superbly won by the drive and energy of Devine. McCann was tasked with the responsibility from the spot but blasted over the bar.
Davidson soon introduced Chris Kane and Stevie May in search of a bit of magic and the latter’s low shot along the turf required a strong palm from Laidlaw. Fellow substitute Liam Craig was following up and hit the outside of the post with the rebound.
There was to be no breakthrough and now Saints head for Istanbul for a Europa League qualifier against Galatasaray.
