Pain has made Paisley men stronger

JAK ALNWICK has pledged to use the pain of St Mirren’s last-gasp agony at Hamilton last season to ensure the Paisley side go one better this time around. On course for a top-six finish, an 89th-minute equaliser by Accies’ Kyle Munro in late March allowed St Johnstone to sneak in ahead of them. The Buddies dusted themselves down to finish top of the bottom six but are still smarting at an opportunity lost. A believer in what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger, keeper Alnwick (right) insists the squad will use the memory of that day as a tool to ensure there is no repeat. ‘I have been in teams that have been relegated and teams that have just missed out on promotion,’ he said ahead of today’s opener at Dundee. ‘But that was the lowest I have ever seen a dressing room after the game. ‘It was just the way the goal went in and the timing of it. ‘We did bounce back and didn’t let our season fizzle out. However, you still have to use those setbacks to motivate you going forward. ‘Also, you need to take from the experience that nobody expected us to reach two semi-finals. ‘I think we will be better off this season as a result of last season.’ Meanwhile, Dundee boss James McPake has challenged his players to prove they can consistently compete in the top flight. The Dens men earned a return to the top-when they beat Kilmarnock home and away in the play-offs following a strong finish to the Championship season but McPake knows they have to be step up again as they prepare to open the season in Paisley. ‘We need to be conscious of the fact that we are in against better opposition,’ said McPake. ‘The Premiership is a step up — but it’s a step we feel we are ready for.’