Steve Lomas: St Johnstone deserved more from the season

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas hopes his side get what they deserve when the season ends.

Saints twice squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw with Ross County, with Lomas concerned that his side could miss out on Europe.

"The lads deserve an awful lot of credit and probably haven't really got what they deserve this season," said Lomas.

"We'll have a go next week against a very good Caley team."

The Perth side twice led through early headers from Steven McLean and Murray Davidson.

However Richard Brittain, who has signed a pre-contact at McDairmid Park before recently hinting at a change of heart, struck twice from the penalty spot.

Gregory Tade nearly restored St Johnstone's lead with a header late on, but Michael Fraser pulled off a world-class save from close range to deny him.

Lomas continued: "The two goals from our point of view are very poor, but on the other hand we had a couple of chances in the second half to wrap the game up.

"Ross County just lumped it forward in the second half. They were looking for a mistake and they got it."

Saints closed the gap to four points behind third-place Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they continue to chase a place in Europe, and host the Highlanders in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.

"We've got Caley Thistle next week," said Lomas. "If we beat them we're within one point so it's all still to play for.

"We've got to refocus again, accept the disappointment, dust ourselves down and move on, with another great occasion next week to try and get into third place and Europe.

"We've lost a lot of players, the budget's been cut a few times since we've been here. I think there was 2400 here today, a very loyal core. We would love to have more, but obviously TV at 4pm makes it difficult, but our loyal core turned up again for us."