Davidson’s double helps lifts Saints

Tommy Wright insists St Johnstone can launch an assault on the top six after registering a home win for the first time in five months.

A double from Murray Davidson, who bagged the winner on their last Mcdiarmid Park victory back in September, was enough to lift the Perth men to within six points of Kilmarnock in sixth.

It was a miserable afternoon for Ross County, who saw Craig Curran red-carded six minutes from time for a second booking.

But, after being criticised by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers for only lifting their game against his side and Rangers, Saints proved they were up for the battle after being dragged perilously close to the relegation zone.

Wright said: “The way we look at it is we’re still only five points behind Motherwell (in seventh) with two games in hand.

“We’ve done our job, we can be happy with our days’ work and recover and get ready to go again on Tuesday night against Rangers.

“There are enough games left and enough points available for us to continue to move up the table and hopefully we’ll do that.”

There were few signs early on that Saints could arrest a miserable home run stretching eight games without a win.

County, with four points from their last two matches, were comfortable enough without threatening the breakthrough against a home team buoyed by their goalless draw with Celtic last weekend but struggling to create anything of their own.

But, suddenly, the match was lit up by the opener in the 29th minute.

Scott Tanser created space on the left edge of the box with a sharp 1-2 with David Wotherspoon.