Hendry a late hero as Saints win at last

the crossbar from 20 yards. But they overcame the setback of conceding the opening goal and were rewarded in due course with a thoroughly merited equaliser after 36 minutes.

Kennedy released Wotherspoon into space and the midfielder maintained sufficient composure after his initial shot was blocked by Owain Fon Williams to net the rebound from 15 yards.

Saints were guilty of further profligacy almost on the stroke of half-time when Kennedy’s shot was parried by Fon Williams and Drey Wright volleyed the follow-up wildly over the crossbar.

But when Wotherspoon struck for a second time on the hour mark from just inside the 18-yard box after good work by Kennedy, it appeared that St Johnstone would go on to win with something in reserve.

Yet when substitute

Steve Davies punished Davidson’s handball by sending Clark the wrong way from the penalty spot with seven minutes remaining, it was game on again.

However, justice was seen to be done when Hendry pounced to end three months of suffering for Saints and their fans.

And according to Tommy Wright, a win was no more than his team deserved.

‘In terms of performance, the players did everything we asked of them and it would have been a travesty if we had not won after dominating from start to finish,’ said the St Johnstone manager.

‘We hit the bar and the post, had so many shots and were camped in their half for long spells. We should have been out of sight long before Callum’s goal.

‘We showed plenty of character for a team which hadn’t won a game in the league, but you get to the stage when you concede a penalty right at the end and your concern is how your players will respond.

‘But they responded magnificently, went on the front foot again and got the winner they deserved.

‘They have been through a hard time but this is a young squad and we need to stick with them.

‘The only disappointing thing is that three should have been seven and the two goals they got should be zero because they were soft.’

Commenting on Wotherspoon’s invaluable contribution, Wright said: ‘David is a wonderful footballer who is two-footed and he showed today what he can do.’

Hamilton boss Brian Rice added: ‘We lost poor goals and when we got it back to 2-2, we didn’t do our jobs.

‘We couldn’t see it out because of individual mistakes. To score two goals away from home and come away with nothing is very disappointing.

‘But we have a game against Aberdeen in midweek to look forward to.’