The Jamaican winger featured in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Annan Athletic in the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Peter Hartley saluted his never-say-die young Buddies after they salvaged a late point.
St Mirren B took on Annan Athletic at Galabank on Saturday in matchday three of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
But Saints looked like heading home with a defeat after goals from Aidan Smith and Charlie Maxwell cancelled out Jamaican winger Jalmaro Calvin’s opener.
However, in the first minute of injury time, Hartley’s boys clinched a 2-2 draw thanks to a penalty from Struan Thompson, son of Buddies legend Steven.
The result means Saints have won one, drawn one and lost one of their games so far. They currently sit 18th in the table which would be enough for qualification to the knockout stages.
And Hartley, the club’s head of first-team transition and loan pathways, was delighted with what he saw from the sideline.
“I think it was the least we deserved and it’s a big step forward from our last performance,” he told club media afterwards. “Annan are a very good team but I thought we fully controlled the first half.
“We were a bit sloppy to concede the penalty then we face adversity and that’s why this competition is so good because the youngsters know it’s a man’s game.
“How are we going to react at 1-1? It was a very positive reaction in parts. For me, the courage we showed going down 2-1 to bring it back to 2-2 was outstanding.
“A lot of B teams would have threw the towel in; game over with five minutes left. But like St Mirren teams do, we kept going to the end and we got ourselves a well-deserved point.
“I was pleased but we made it very hard for ourselves as we could have been three or 4-0 up controlling the game but that’s what happens when you miss chances.
“But I thought we defended our box outstanding and we showed great character towards the end of the game to score the equaliser.”
Hartley provided an update on Calvin’s progress as he highlighted a name to watch.
“Jalmaro was very effective,” he said. “There were good forward movements and I think he is connecting with the two sixes and the wing-backs a lot better.
“I think we’re understanding what his strengths and want to get him to where he can be more effective on the pitch.
“It’s positive for Jalmaro. He missed some chances but I said to him I’ll never shout at him for missing chances – if you’re getting in the right position every time, you’ll score more than you’ll miss.
“I thought Jack Lavery was outstanding and a real breath of fresh air. His football intelligence for his age is phenomenal. If he keeps progressing at the rate he is progressing then I think we’ve got a serious player on our hands.”
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