Jim Goodwin admits St Mirren’s soft kick winner was soft – but he insisted it’s wrong to brand Collin Quaner a diver.
The Buddies boss was thrilled to take another huge step towards bagging a top six place after seeing off resilient Ross County.
Jamie McGrath converted the penalty with nine minutes to go after Leo Hjelde was judged to have clipped Quaner.
County gaffer John Hughes claimed it was a con job but Goodwin hit back.
The Saints manager has been critical of Premiership chancers in the past and he said: “I don’t think it was a dive. Collin has got the wrong side of the defender. It was soft, no doubt. I’ve made my opinions clear on penalties given against us.
“I’m not going to try to pull the wool over people’s eyes and say it was stonewall.
“But that’s the way the game has gone and if we don’t do something about it that’s what happens. I don’t think it was simulation, there was slight contact. Was there enough to make the big man go over? I’ll have to have a look.”
Goodwin will take the controversial call though as his Saints are within a win over claiming their spot in the top half after the split.
It’s been a tough old slog of late though and the poor old surface in Paisley has taken as much of a pounding as Goodwin’s players of late with seven of their eight games in 25 days coming on their own patch.
It’s left the grass as worn as the squad but St Mirren keep scrapping away in the fight for the top six.
Goodwin said: “I thought a draw would have been fair but to have three points I’m delighted.
“It was our 11th game in something like 32 days and there were tired legs out there. For the boys to have put in that effort is great credit to the group. We’d have loved to have played better but it’s about the result.
“We’re not resting on our laurels but we’ve put ourselves in a fantastic position. If you’d offered me this at the start of the season we’d be delighted.”
The match hinged on the penalty and two terrific saves from either goalkeeper.
Saints came closest in a fairly dull opening 45 minutes with Ross Laidlaw brilliantly clawing out Conor McCarthy’s close range header from Kyle McAllister’s whipped free kick.
Opposite No.1 Alnwick went one better after the interval with an incredible stop to deny County an opener.
Jordan White caught his header flush but the Saints keeper managed to shove the ball up on to the bar before recovering to block the rebound.
The danger wasn’t fully clear as Stephen Kelly latched on to the loose ball on the edge of the box and clattered the woodwork again.
County were looking the more likely – and it needed another desperate rescue from Cammy McPherson as the sub managed to clear off the line after Alex Iacovitti’s flick from Harry Paton’s corner looked goal bound.
It was a crucial moment as soon after sub Collin Quaner’s burst in to the box was halted by Leo Hjelde.
Contact looked minimal bit McGrath ignored the fuss and coolly slotted home from the spot.
The Staggies nearly snatched a point but Jordan Tillson nudged his effort just wide to leave the Highlanders still in the mix at the bottom while Saints are feeling tops.
