SCOTT AGNEW expressed his delight after scoring twice on his St Mirren debut – but cursed his misfortune that he couldn’t make it a hat-trick.

The former Dumbarton schemer thundered in two second-half, long-range efforts to help Ian Murray’s side beat Berwick Rangers 3-1 to take their place in the hat for today’s second-round draw of the Petrofac Cup.

Saints suffered an early shock when their League Two visitors got their noses in front through Blair Henderson, but once Steven Thompson had equalised from the penalty spot after a foul on Stevie Mallan, there was only going to be one winner.

It was Agnew who stepped up to the plate to score the goals that earned the home side’s safe passage through to the next round, although he was left frustrated that he couldn’t add another to take the match ball home with him.

One goal-bound effort was touched on to the post by the Berwick goalkeeper, while a second effort was ruled out for offside.

Agnew, though, was delighted with his first contribution in a St Mirren shirt. He said: “It was a great debut. The only thing that could have made it better would have been getting a hat-trick.

"The goalkeeper has tipped an effort on to the post and I don't think I will come closer to getting a hat-trick than that. Overall, it was a good first game for me.

"If I can get the ball shifted on to my left foot I know I can hit the target regularly. I like to have shots from distance and luckily two went in. I was shooting from everywhere after the goals because I was desperate to net a treble. I was close, but not close enough.”

Having spent the majority of his career playing part-time football, Agnew intends to make the most of his belated entry to the full-time game.

He added: "I work hard every day and this is the stage and the chance for me to show what I can do. When the manager came to St Mirren, I knew there might be a chance that I could follow him here.

"In the summer there was a bit of interest from other full-time Championship clubs, but for me it was a no-brainer to come to St Mirren. You just need to look at the facilities, the stadium and the way we play and I have loved every minute so far.

"I have a good relationship with the manager and I have been with him for two-and-a-half years now. He likes the way I work and he knows what I can deliver and what I can do.”

This was also Murray’s St Mirren bow and he was happy with how his players performed. They next face Sheffield Wednesday away in a friendly on Saturday before their Championship opener away to Rangers a week on Friday.

The manager said: “We played well. It was probably as good as we could have hoped for, apart from the goal going in. It was a wee wake-up and a warning for us, but the positives for us far outweighed the negatives.

"All the players looked sharp, they look fit and feel fit. We got through a game with no injuries or red cards, which was vital to us.”