GUTTED TO LET WIN SLIP AWAY Saints counting the cost

David Wotherspoon cursed sloppy finishing after St Johnstone were agonisingly pegged back in the final minute of stoppage time on Saturday.

Experienced Ross County forward Billy Mckay prodded home the dramatic leveller to leave Perth players cutting dejected figures at full-time.

Saints only had themselves to blame as, in the closing stages, they had numerous clear-cut chances to add a second goal after Stevie May’s opener.

Wotherspoon said: “We should have had the game dead and buried. We had plenty of chances in the first and second half to finish the game off.

“We didn’t take them and shot ourselves in the foot. You put so much effort into the game.

“To get done by one of the last kicks of the game is very disappointing and very hard to take for the boys.

“It was a long trip down the road but we have still come away with a point. We want to push on and get into the top six.

“It was important to get the three points on Saturday for that. It’s disappointing not to do that after such a good performance.

“The fans would be bitterly disappointed going back down the road without three points, just like we were.

“We’ve controlled it but just not seen it out. It’s down to not finishing our chances when we get them. It’s really hard to take but, at the same time, it’s not a defeat.

“We need to try and look at the positives as much as we can.

“But we put so much effort into the game and it’s a gutting feeling.”

The stormy conditions did not make life easy, but Wotherspoon again put in an impressive display for what has been a consistent run of form.

“I’m consistently playing which is great for me,” he told the PA. “I was happy with my performance at the weekend, just disappointed with the result.

“It’s been a tough schedule over the last few weeks but, at the same time, I’ve liked it, because you are constantly playing games.

“You stay focused and there is not much time to rest up.

“The games come thick and fast, which has been good for us because we’ve been on a good run of form.”

Playing alongside Wotherspoon in the Perth midfield on Saturday was Bournemouth loan man Matt Butcher, who was making his first start. He looked assured on the ball before being substituted in the second half as legs got heavy.

Wotherspoon believes he will be a good addition to Saints’ squad for the rest of the season.

“Matt was great and did really well,” Wotherspoon said. “He did exceptionally well in the first half.

“He was getting on the ball, has a good range of passing and is a good physical presence in the middle of the park.

“He faded away a wee bit in the second half but it was a good solid performance from him – he slotted in nicely.”