Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Confidence returning to Buddies dressing-room
JACK Ross reckons St Mirren are on a roll after finally kick-starting their relegation rescue bid.
The Ladbrokes Championship basement boys claimed their first win of the league season in midweek away to Queen of the South.
And t hey backed that up on Saturday with another narrow triumph over Raith Rovers, with Lewis Morgan’s 47th-minute strike sealing a 1-0 victory.
The Paisley men have now cut a nine-point gap at the bottom to just four and Ross is looking to rein in nearest challengers Dumbarton.
The Buddies boss said: “We’re still in a difficult period but we’re getting there, we’re starting to create some momentum.
“The aim was to cut the gap but I’ve been saying it for a while — things were getting better. Team performances and individual performances were improving. When that happens, results come.
“I’m pleased for guys like our goalkeeper Scott Gallacher because I know he’s taken criticism after a difficult period for him. But I had faith in him and he was brilliant for us on Saturday. He made a couple of saves that were hugely important.
“We’ve now got another monkey off our back in terms of our first clean sheet which is great for the players as they understand the importance of that, too.”
Joint-leaders Hibs bounced back after losing last week’s top-of-thetable clash with Dundee United.
Paul Hanlon and Brian Graham scored in a 2-0 win over Dumbarton.
Hanlon said: “Saturday was about getting back on track after last week’s result, so I’ll take the three points.
“Sometimes it’s about winning ugly.”