Tap-in was fine end to ‘a really good day’ for boss

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson was happy to see Stevie May weigh in with a typical striker’s goal after the substitute proved to be the match-winner against St Mirren.

After a prolific early career with Alloa, Hamilton and Saints, May’s goals dried up somewhat on his travels. His 27-goal tally in the Scottish Cup-winning campaign of 2013-14 is more than he managed in the subsequent six seasons combined, at Sheffield Wednesday, Preston, Aberdeen and then back at Saints last term.

But the 27-year-old offered former assistant boss Davidson a reminder of his ability to notch simple goals as well as the spectacular efforts he regularly produced in his first Perth spell.

Davidson said: “Getting Stevie back scoring goals is great, Mikey had played well but we needed a goal. Stevie came on to get it for us, I’m really pleased for him.

“He used to score them from 30 yards so I’m happy it was a tap-in this time.

“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.”

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin admitted his side were “extremely poor” in the first half and they did not produce an effort at goal until almost 80 minutes in.

The suspension of centre-back Joe Shaughnessy led to Goodwin deploying a back three but his players struggled and a series of personnel and tactical changes failed to have any real effect.

Goodwin said: “We are extremely disappointed, we know we can do better. I don’t think there’s a big difference between eight teams in this league. Celtic and Rangers are out on their own.

“The other eight are capable of beating each other but if you don’t do the basics right then you give yourselves problems and we certainly did that.”

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson.