Elgin 1 St Johnstone 3

St Johnstone got their season off to a winning start with a 3-1 success in their Betfred Cup group match at League Two Elgin.

Goals from Danny Swanson, Graham Cummins and Steven MacLean made it an easy afternoon for the Premiership side.

Elgin, bossed by former Saints favourite Jim Weir who missed the game due to prior commitments, struggled to get out of their own half in the first 45 minutes.

St Johnstone dominated, with home goalkeeper Stewart Black twice denying Cummins while both MacLean and Chris Millar saw efforts go narrowly wide.

Saints opened the scoring after 16 minutes when Swanson cut in from the left and curled a low shot into the net from 22 yards.

New signing from Falkirk Blair Alston almost added a second with a swerver which fizzed past the post.

The pressure continued with Millar and Cummins both off target while Cummins forced Black into another good stop from distance.

But the Premiership men were stunned four minutes after the break when their hosts conjured up an equaliser out of the blue. Daniel Moore's 30-yard free-kick was met by the slightest of touches by defender Jamie Duff to glance it past goalkeeper Zander Clark.

Elgin rallied briefly, though Cummins forced another Black save and Liam Craig headed over from close range on 70 minutes for Saints.

The top-flight side's blushes were spared when Millar released Cummins through the middle and he rounded the keeper before rolling home.

Ten minutes from time victory was secured when Alston crossed for MacLean to force home at the near post.