Jim Goodwin saluted his battling players and branded their massive win over Hearts as richly-deserved.
The Buddies hammered hapless Hearts to pick up their first win at home since December 29 and push themselves up to ninth in the Premiership table in the process.
Jon Obika’s second half winner - his 12th goal of the campaign so far - also built a six-point lead over the Edinburgh side and
Goodwin believes his side showed they wanted it more with a terrific all-round performance.
Goodwin told Express Sport: “I am delighted. It was a big night for the club and our biggest game of the season.
“It was massive that we didn’t lose the game, first and foremost, but in my own head I wanted to keep the gap to three points at least.
“So I didn’t think we needed to go gung-ho and try to win the game. I thought it was more of a must-win game for Hearts.
“But the fact we’ve managed to extend that gap at the bottom to six points is a huge relief.
“It’s significant as if we’d lost the game we’d have gone to the bottom of the table.
“The fact we have won it and managed to jump a few places in the league gives everyone around the club a lift.
“I told the players to enjoy it but not to get carried away.
“I told them before the game that win, lose or draw, it wasn’t done.
“We have to make sure that’s our mindset going into the last eight games of the season.”
Goodwin believes that the night belonged to his players after they outfought and out-thought the Edinburgh side.
He paid tribute to their character for battling to what could be a pivotal three points.
Goodwin added: “Sometimes managers get credit for tactics or changes that they make but tonight is not about me.
"I can take no credit for that. It was a performance where the players deserve all the plaudits.”
