How St Johnstone came back from the brink

They say it's not over until it's over, and in St Johnstone's case, it's very true.

Last Wednesday's visit of Ross County was regarded as the decider for 11th place and a relegation play-off against either Partick Thistle or Raith Rovers.

And until the very end in Perth, it looked like struggling Saints would be finishing second bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Step forward January signing Adama Sidibeh to level in the 90th minute and cancel out Yan Dhanda's opener. That kept the gap between St Johnstone in 11th and County at 10th at two points.

It was still in County's hands to clinch safety but Saints' superior goal difference opened up a tantalising scenario for Craig Levein's team - beat Motherwell and even if County get a draw, the endangered sides would swap places.

And so it proved on Sunday. Both teams led early with Simon Murray lashing Ross County in front and Nicky Clark edging St Johnstone ahead.

A Motherwell penalty threatened to derail Saints but Theo Bair's effort was saved and up in Dingwall, derailment was what was happening to County.

Ester Sokler dragged Aberdeen level and Jamie McGrath had the Dons in front after the break.

By this time, St Johnstone were two up through Sidibeh's latest vital contribution.

Yet more drama ensued as Angus MacDonald conceded a penalty and got sent off, Dhanda scoring to bring Ross County back on terms.

And they could have led again with Will Nightingale firing a shot against the crossbar then heading off a post.

Back at Fir Park, Motherwell halved their deficit through Moses Ebiye but that was to be the final act of a dramatic Premiership campaign.

Relief for St Johnstone, another anxious play-off for Ross County, with Raith awaiting after they got past Thistle on penalties on Friday.

Former St Johnstone player Allan Preston was on BBC Sportsound duty at Fir Park and could not hide his delight.

"They were throwing their bodies on the line and if they play like that, they won't be in that position next year," he said.

"It's been a bit traumatic for the last three years for St Johnstone - just made it out last year, play-offs the year before and made it out just on the last game of the season today.

"This is all for [outgoing chairman] Geoff Brown. He's going to hand the club over [to American businessman Adam Webb] as a Premiership football club.

"I'm so, so happy for everyone connected with St Johnstone. It was a real worry."

Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan said "it's relief more than anything" for St Johnstone.

"The weight was on their shoulders, they knew the outcome if they didn't come here and win," he added.

"Today was perfect for them. They've dealt with it mentally more than anything, rather than physically."

Former Aberdeen captain and manager Willie Miller was in the Highlands the Dingwall draw and said County threw "everything at it".

"They were so unlucky not to find the back of the net," he said.

"They have now got to use that experience that they had last season going into the play-offs and do what they did back then and survive it.

"I wouldn't say it would be a definite but I think you would put them as favourites to be able to deal with staying up."