Boss Simo Valakari described St Johnstone’s 0-0 draw with Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park as “crappy” – but in a positive way.
The home side, who booked a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final place against Celtic with a 1-0 win over Livingston on Monday night, had the best chance inside 10 minutes but striker Makenzie Kirk’s drive from 14 yards was brilliantly saved by Dons goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.
Both sides had to settle for a point which left Saints still bottom of the William Hill Premiership, two points behind Dundee, who play Dundee United on Sunday.
Valakari said: “It was a fair result. There wasn’t much between two closely-matched teams.
“In some moments it was a crappy game – we made it crappy for them and they made it crappy for us.
“When I say ‘crappy game’, I mean there was heart and soul. When fans see that they are with us.
“It was a positive that we showed we can play these games as well.
“It was a midfield battle, second balls. But it was a huge effort from my boys.
“We defended very solidly. It was a very strong team performance, defensively. We were much more solid than on Monday night.
“We didn’t create enough to win the match but we made sure we didn’t lose it and we’ll take this one point.”
Aberdeen passed up the chance to move into third place as Hibernian drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Dons remain one point behind the Easter Road side but two ahead of fifth-placed Dundee United.
Pittodrie boss Jimmy Thelin admitted his side lacked the quality to take any more than a point from Perth.
He said: “I think both teams defended well. It was two teams fighting for three points, a quite close game.
“We tried but today we didn’t have the quality to break through or create that big chance but it’s also because they defended well.
“We tried to push, tried to create more crossing situations, and in these moments maybe the team didn’t find the rhythm in the attacking last third, someone to get the quality to step forward, but it’s not always easy.
“So we tried but it was not enough to deserve three points. I think the result was fair.
“You have to deserve to win games and St Johnstone did very well today in how they defended.
“Hopefully it is going to be a good point at the end of the season.”
Sivert Nilsen was absent for a second game and Thelin added: “He got a hit on the eye so he is going to go for another appointment.
“We don’t know if it is short or long term so we have to wait and see.”
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