Ross County 1-1 St Johnstone: John Hughes sees 'progress' despite return to bottom

Ross County manager John Hughes says he is seeing "real progress" in his team despite their return to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table after a draw with St Johnstone.

They moved off the basement with the new manager's first win away to Hibs and led here thanks to Ross Draper's first-half strike.

But Craig Conway equalised from the penalty spot just five minutes later for St Johnstone, who are now winless in their last nine league matches, with County bottom on goal difference.

Despite his side having been overtaken by Hamilton Academical, Hughes is encouraged by what he is seeing.

"You have to embrace the hard work and I got that today," he said. "It makes us a very hard team to beat.

"There will be times when it's backs against the wall and you don't buckle, that gives me confidence going forward. We hung in the game and we could have won it 2-1. If we keep doing what we're doing with that effort and that commitment, every team will know they've been in a game and that's what I'm after."

• Reaction & as it happened

While Callum Davidson's side may not have come into this match with a great deal of confidence, County's 2-0 victory at Easter Road boosted morale in Dingwall.

There has been plenty said of the character within the squad, and that was on show in the early stages as Hughes' side seized the initiative.

St Johnstone's midfield were caught too far from their defence, and when the ball fell to Draper on the edge of the box, he had time to calmly place the ball into the back of the net.

But that lead lasted just five minutes, as Keith Watson brought down Conway in the box. The winger then dusted himself down and confidently dispatched the equaliser past Ross Laidlaw.

Chris Kane nearly gave the visitors the lead at the break with a header, but a good stop from Laidlaw kept the scores level.

Both sides came out fighting at the start of the second-half with belief that they could take three points, but St Johnstone settled better and took control of possession.

Kane will feel he should have done better after a long ball was nodded into his path, before Laidlaw denied substitute Liam Gordon from close-range.

County, however, could have secured the points late on. Stephen Kelly's drilled corner was met by Watson, but Zander Clark somehow managed to keep it out with a stunning save.

Josh Reid unleashed a ferocious effort right at the death, but Clark was there once again to turn the ball over the bar and ensure that his side left Dingwall with a point.

Man of the Match - Stephen Kelly

The on-loan Rangers midfielder once again impressed as he nearly provided a wonderful assist for a late County winner

What we learned

You can really see that these County players are going the extra mile for Hughes. Even in their defeat against St Mirren, the nine men who finished the match played with spirit, and their win at Hibs emphasised that point.

They could have easily crumbled as St Johnstone exerted pressure in the second-half, but County are playing without fear at the moment and they were very nearly rewarded for their late surge.

The picture is more bleak for St Johnstone. Their winless run is becoming more and more of a concern. It is now four losses and five draws in their last nine Premiership matches.

They've kept just one clean sheet in that time and their concession here was soft. Had it not been for Clark's heroics, they would have left with nothing.

What they said:

Ross County manager John Hughes: "The draw was fair. We were the better team in the first half but in the second half it was all St Johnstone and it was backs against the wall, but we stood up to it.

"You could see the spirit amongst them, the willingness, the togetherness to keep the door shut. There is plenty to build on."

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "We have to take our chances in the second half, it's disappointing not to score when we're on top, but I'm also grateful for Zander's save at the end to get us a point. It was a strange one."

What next?

Ross County are away to in-form Livingston on Saturday 9 January (15:00 GMT), while St Johnstone are at Dundee United at the same time.