While team-mate Stewart Kean was claiming his boot finished off the winner, Sutton said afterwards the goal was most certainly his.
Saints recovered from going behind to a Craig Dargo header to rock the Highlanders in this SPL opener.
The Saints supporters were determined to party whatever the outcome. Why the fixtures computer didn't allow the first division champions to have a home SPL start on day one was a puzzle, but the players wanted to travel down the A9 with a point or more.
Inverness started well and midfielder Russell Duncan went close early on with a rasping drive which dipped over the top. Defender Darren Dods then just failed to get his header to John Rankin's free-kick.
St Mirren were trying to outfox keeper Mark Brown from distance, but to no avail. Dargo was denied just before the interval when a timely tackle from Kirk Broadfoot stopped him pulling the trigger.
Just three minutes after the restart Inverness deservedly dived in front when a cracking Dargo header from Rankin's cross finished up in the net.
But the battling Buddies squared matters on 55 minutes when Sutton finished off a swift attack involving Craig Molloy and Kean.
The winner arrived on 75 minutes when Sutton ran on to a long clearance from keeper Chris Smith and finished with a low drive past Brown after beating Stuart McCaffrey and Dods for pace.