MAY DAY’S A HUGE RELIEF FOR CALLUM

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Stevie’s winner has Davidson on a high

Delighted Callum Davidson admitted he was relieved to see St Johnstone finally put St Mirren to the sword.

The Perth side dominated this battle of the Saints – and eventually got their winner when Stevie May came off the bench to seal their first home victory of the season.

St Johnstone dominated from start to f inish but boss Davidson feared it was going to be one of those days until his super sub stepped up.

He said: “When we scored it was a feeling of relief more than anything because we’d created so many chances.

“Sometimes you wonder if it’s going to be the same again, creating chances but not scoring.

“So I was delighted to get the goal when Stevie came on and that allowed us to relax a bit.

“Getting Stevie back scoring goals is great, Mikey O’Hal loran had played well but we needed a goal.

“Stevie came on to get it for us so I’m really pleased for him.

“When he was here before he used to score them from 30 yards but I’m happy it was a tap-in.

“It was good to get Murray Davidson and Chris Kane back on the pitch again as well so it’s been a really good day.”

It was St Johnstone’s first clean sheet of the season and Davidson believes his team deserve all the credit after sickening losses to Aberdeen and Hibs.

The boss added: “You have to credit the players, they were excellent. After the disappointment of the last two games it could have been easy for the heads to go down.

“But they didn’t let that happen. They showed great character, that bodes well for the rest of the season.

“I was delighted with the performance, we played really well, got into good areas and we created a lot of opportunities.”

St Johnstone dominated possession and the chances in a pretty much one-way first-half.

Callum Hendry forced a good save out of Jak Alnwick, Craig Conway and O’Halloran let fly from distance and Scott Tanser volleyed wide at the back post.

Davidson must have wondered how his team had gone in still level at the interval.

Rival Jim Goodwin had made three changes by the 49th minute– but the home side remained well on top.

It was Davidson who turned to his bench for an inspired change that proved the difference.

He sent on May for O’Halloran on 67 minutes and within five minutes he had put his team ahead.

David Wotherspoon headed out to Conway on the left and his low cross was forced in by the sub at the near post.

The Buddies’ only real effort on goal came 10 minutes from time.

Jamie McGrath chipped the ball in for Kristian Dennis to chest it and turn and crack in a shot straight at keeper Elliot Parish.

The visitors posed very little threat beyond that and it was St Johnstone who almost grabbed a clinching second.

Conway’s cross fell to Danny McNamara, who cracked in a shot that Alnwick had to tip over.