The promise of a new season glittered in front of the St Mirren players they each beheld the Renfrewshire Cup on Saturday.
Their defeated rivals Morton were left only with a dull ache.
That was true for Stefan McCluskey especially, albeit the Morton midfielder could take the edge off a little with the aid of pain-killers; he was taken off early at Cappielow having dislocated a collarbone. The home side was given further cause to wince when Jason Naismith scored the only goal to restore the cup to St Mirren.
The Paisley side have taken a strong grip of the trophy and also hold local bragging rights. It was the reward for battling to win a match which is, in essence, no more than a pre-season friendly but one which Jim Duffy later acknowledged might have been a little too bruising at times.
"Perhaps the game was a bit too competitive for what is really just a friendly," said the Morton manager, appointed earlier this summer. "Stef has a dislocated collar-bone and will be out for a few weeks. We'll miss him."
Despite the defeat and McCluskey's injury, Duffy was otherwise satisfied, though. "We defended superbly and showed great commitment. If we carry that on it's looking optimistic for the season," he added.
Naismith, who spent time on loan at Morton earlier in his career, thumped in his goal 15 minutes from the end and admitted he had no complaints about the manner in which the game was played. "This was a great game to play in with a good atmosphere because of the local rivalry," he said.
Across the Erskine Bridge, meanwhile, Dumbarton were worthy of their 1-1 draw against SPFL Premiership side Partick Thistle. Bryan Prunty opened the scoring for the Championship side before a deflected Ryan Stevenson effort drew the match level.
However, this game had the more customary characteristics of pre-season fare with countless substitutions and a Thistle side featuring no fewer than six trialists. Former Kilmarnock defender Darren Barr and Matt Parsons, a left-back who was freed by Crystal Palace, are among those being assessed at Firhill.
Dundee - a side which will compete with Thistle in the top flight next season - continue to enjoy an encouraging build-up. Kieron Cadogan, a potential new signing at Dens Park, enhanced his chances of a contract with a goal in an impressive 4-2 win against Morecambe. "Kieron did well - we'll speak to him," acknowledged Paul Hartley, the Dundee manager.
There was victory for Inverness Caledonian Thistle too as the Highland side won 1-0 against Raith Rovers, while Ross County enjoyed a 3-0 win at Elgin City and new signing Josh Magennis scored for Kilmarnock in a 2-0 win away to Annan Athletic. However, top-flight side Hamilton Academical were on the receiving end of a 1-0 defeat against East Fife at Bayview.
Queen of the South, a team which missed out on a place in the Premiership having fallen in the play-offs last season, eased to a 5-1 win against Rotherham United, albeit the English club sent only a development team to play in Dumfries. A 5-1 victory perhaps felt more emphatic for Montrose as they defeated Cove Rangers and Berwick Rangers went down 2-1 against Dunfermline Athletic.
Elsewhere, Ayr United were denied victory over Crusaders when Matthew Snoddy's late goal cancelled out Scott McLaughlin's opener, while East Stirlingshire fielded six trialists in their draw against Peterhead. The new men took time to settle before rallying to record a 2-2 draw.
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