St Mirren: Tommy Craig praise for unity after first win

St Mirren remain in 11th spot in the Premiership table

Manager Tommy Craig hailed the unity at St Mirren as his side picked up their first points of the season.

A stoppage-time penalty from Kenny McLean earned the Buddies a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.

"I'm delighted for the fans and the players," Craig told BBC Scotland. "Tonight, they kind of merged into one.

"The vocal support we got was quite incredible and that's what helped our lads summon up the extra energy that it was always going to take to win."

Thistle were the brighter side in the first half and led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a Kris Doolan header.

The visitors were facing a sixth consecutive league defeat but improved immensely after the break, with substitute Callum Ball sliding in a shot on the hour and McLean staying calm to convert the late spot-kick.

"It puts paid to the innuendo that's been going on about a split in the dressing-room, which always happens in these situations," added Craig.

"Those who came on, those who came off, the guys who didn't get on; the support for the team was remarkable.

"If we'd picked up a point, it would have been fine, but at half-time we were saying 'we can go and win this' and the players were adamant.

"They have come out and added another yard to their game and kept playing their football, which I was delighted about.

"Given the situation we were in, it's a very welcome three points,"

Player-coach Jim Goodwin was thrilled by the victory and put much of it down to the hard graft put in during training.

"Tommy gave the boys a real lift at half time," he explained. "He asked us to believe in ourselves and stick together.

"The boys were outstanding, every one of them. Callum Ball and Thomas Reilly came on and really changed the game. The big man (Ball) held the ball up so well.

"Now he's got that first goal, hopefully he'll score many more.

"I'm delighted for Tommy, I'm delighted for the fans, but more than anything I'm really delighted for our young players because Monday to Friday they are different class. I don't think there's a team in the league that works harder.

"I'm part of the management team and we fully understand the flak that's been coming our way, but we can take so many positives from tonight."