The Clydesdale Bank Premier League season is only two rounds old but already the battle lines have been drawn. If Gretna provided a cushion guaranteeing the more established clubs survival last term, it already appears certain that promoted Hamilton, cast as this season’s whipping boys, have not read the script, collecting maximum points from their two outings.

Gus MacPherson, the St Mirren manager, knows it and, despite a highly encouraging start to the campaign, so does his Kilmarnock counterpart Jim Jefferies.

The sides that met at Love Street on Saturday occupied the tenth and eleventh places on the table as the dust settled on the previous championship struggle, only avoiding serious relegation threat by default. That’s why both were satisfied with a goal-less points share, even at this early stage in proceedings, as MacPherson testified: “With being at home there’s a slight frustration at not winning, but I think both myself and Jim could be happy with that result. I’m just delighted we’ve got a point on the board.”

It was a tit-for-tat encounter in which neither side threatened to streak away. For instance, St Mirren’s best attempt at goal came early in the second half when Jim Hamilton’s header, from a Jack Ross delivery, struck the crossbar. Then, barely ten minutes later, Kilmarnock followed suit with Connor Sammon directing a similar effort on to the opposing met-alwork at the other end, from Danny Invincibile’s centre. Overall, however, despite what the scoreline suggests, this was an entertaining-enough encounter and, for the visiting team in particular, the signs are encouraging.

The significance of the return to full fitness of David Fernandez, the former Celtic forward, cannot be underestimated. He produced a second sterling performance of the season against St Mirren, peeling off his marker and providing an excellent outlet for his colleagues in midfield.

One of those, Mehdi Taouil, has also begun the season in impressive style, with a man-of-the-match award for his performance against Hibernian on opening day and a display marked by ingenuity and effort at Love Street.

The diminutive Morrocan conjurer arrived at Kilmarnock last winter and, after settling well during his debut season in Scotland, looks set firmly establish himself this term.

“We’ve started the season very well with a win over Hibs and then this draw with St Mirren, who are also a good team,” the 25-year-old international said.

“We’re playing nice football and I’m enjoying life at Kilmarnock. I used to play in Montpellier and, of course, it’s really different. But, apart from the weather, I feel really good here. I just want to show the coach and the fans that I could do a good job for the team.”

St Mirren (4-4-2): M Howard 8 - J Ross 7, S Cuthbert 7, J Potter 6, F Miranda 6 – A Tonet 5 (sub: A Dorman 70min, 5), G Mason 7, G Brady 7, S O’Donnell 6 – J Hamilton 6, B Mehmet 6 (sub: D Wyness 80, 4). Substitutes not used: C Smith, H Murray, T Brighton, D Barron, S McGinn. Booked: Mehmet.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2): A Combe 7 – J Fowler 6, F Wright 6, S Ford 7, G Hay 6 – D Invincibile 7, C Bryson 6, M Pascali 6, M Taouil 7 (sub: S Hamill 84, 4) – D Fernandez 8, C Sammon 7. Substitutes not used: D Rascle, D Lilley, G Skelton, I Flannigan, S McInnes, S Simmonds. Booked: Fowler, Pascali.

Referee: D Somers. Attendance: 4,176.