Dundee boss Tony Docherty admitted he was delighted his side had stopped the rot after five successive league defeats by drawing 1-1 with St Johnstone at Dens.
The relegation rivals had to settle for a share of the spoils each with Makenzie Kirk netting for Saints before Simon Murray equalised for the Dark Blues.
Docherty felt his side did enough to win but he was ultimately happy to accept a draw and was also pleased with the return of skipper Joe Shaughnessy to the starting line-up.
The manager said: “Bittersweet and mixed emotions. My overriding feeling was we did enough in the second half to win.
“Once the dust settles I have to be happy but the biggest positive was my captain was back and we looked more secure with Joe and Trevor Carson and Jordan McGhee.
“That’s something which has been lacking this season and that’s really pleasing.
“Joe was struggling. He was cramping up in the 76th minute but he got through the game and showed his character.”
Docherty added: “I always send my teams out to win but it was important we didn’t lose. For me the honesty of the group and having made the admission we had to be better at half-time there was an intent to win it.
“I have to praise that mentality. We’ve stopped the rot and it’s important we build on that.”
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari admitted his side are very much still in the fight following the draw at Dens.
They are three points adrift of their opponents at the foot of the table.
The McDiarmid manager said: “I think it was a fair result. We played some good stuff, Dundee played some good stuff and both teams had their moments.
“It has been very well documented our problem has been these matches when we can’t win we’ve lost but we’ve got a very strong point so I’m pleased with that.
“I told the boys not to let their heads drop at half-time because it was a good first half.
“There are still a lot of games to go. We have our own targets. Everyone can see what our players are trying to do.
“They are very much in this fight and we always talk about having to stay in the fight and within touching distance to give us a chance.
“We have given ourselves a chance to compete and that was the first thing. Now it’s up to us. We need to make this final push.
“They put their heads in dangerous places and it was a huge effort. We needed the support from the fans after this hard week. They pushed us.”
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