The Traks of

Kane and Stefan Scougall. Steven MacLean, given the medical all-clear to play on the plastic pitch as a one off, was listed among the substitutes.

That was a boost for a squad who were backed by a vocal travelling support, numbering around 500 at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius – the venue that will host Scotland’s World Cup qualifier in September.

Trakai were something of an unknown quantity when the teams were pulled out of the pot together in the middle of June. But it didn’t take long for the Lithuanians to prove they possessed quality in dangerous areas.

None more so than in the forward department where the movement of Liberia star Oscar Dorley and strike partner Maksimov made life difficult for the Saints back line.

Maksimov was on the scoresheet in Perth and the Russian almost benefited from hesitation in the Saints defence in the fourth minute. Joe Shaughnessy, Ally Gilchrist and goalkeeper Zander Clark didn’t take control of a loose ball before eventually managing to hack it clear of danger.

There was a bigger scare not long after when Millar’s header back to Clark was short. Mykhaylo Shyshka took over but lifted his lob over.

Wright’s men retaliated and twice Shaughnessy went agonisingly close to scoring with headers.

The first, from a Liam Craig corner, was tipped over the bar by Ignas Plukas before the second was blocked on the line by Valdemar Borovskij.

Saints were turning the screw and in the 25th minute Kane showed his strength to out-muscle Justinas Janusevskij but his shot was weak and straight at Plukas.

As the half-hour mark approached Wright and his players were appealing for a penalty when Janusevskij barged into the back of Kane. Referee Stanislav Todorov was having none of it.

The Bulgarian whistler was being kept busy with another yellow flashed to Trakai centre-back Arunas Kilmavicius on the stroke of half-time. He cleaned out Davidson who was in full flow and bursting deep into opposition territory.

Blair Alston was handed free-kick duty but curled high and wide to bring the opening 45 minutes to a close.

It was a first half where Saints were dominant for large spells with the hosts failing to register a shot on target.

And again there was a feeling missed

TRAKAI .............. 1 ST JOHNSTONE ...... 0