SAINTS STRIKER Steven Milne reckons the Perth side have turned their season around by sheer hard work.

The former Dundee forward has netted three times in the last two games, and his second-half double against Airdrie proved enough to propel St Johnstone back up the league table.

Milne scored in the 56th and final minutes against a stuffy Airdrie side who fought to the bitter end.

However, ‘Savo’ feels that Saints are now playing the football expected of them.

“It was good to get the three points as it’s a good run we’re on, picking up 10 points from 12,” he told Courier Sport.

“We got off to a bad start this season so it was important to get a win today with the international break coming up.

“We could have had 12 points from 12 but unfortunately we let a late goal in against Queen of the South.”

And he admitted there was some tension among the squad following the team’s indifferent start to the campaign.

“I didn’t feel any pressure myself personally but maybe some of the others did. The manager was under a bit of pressure so we’re glad we’ve turned it around for him as well.

“We achieved it through sheer hard work. We went in after the last international break with no days off and lots of running, a lot of work on the back four and keeping team shape.

“Most teams have a sticky spell and hopefully we’ve had ours.”

Saints were forced to leave out injured pair Martin Hardie and Collin Samuel—but they could not have got off to a better start with a goal coming in the fourth minute from Gavin Swankie.

The former Dundee and Arbroath man picked up the ball on the halfway line and played a delightful one-two with the impressive Chris Millar before rifling a swerving left foot shot that deflected past the helpless Stephen Robertson in the Airdrie goal.

The floodgates did not open though, and instead it was the visitors who came close with Paul Di Giacomo given a great opportunity when right in on goal after 35 minutes.

However the striker’s cut back was wasted.

Airdrie levelled it in the 48th minute when David Nixon headed a cross from Kevin McDonald into Alan Main’s right-hand corner.

This stung the home side and parity was restored seven minutes later when Milne blasted home from cross range.

The ball had been put in over the back of the Airdrie defence by Derek Holmes, with Milne looking suspiciously offside.

Saints went anxiously close to extending their lead in the 58th minute when substitute Kevin Moon hit the post.

Milne had the ball in the net again in the 82nd minute but the goal was controversially chalked off for a foul on the Airdrie keeper by fellow striker Holmes.

Airdrie substitute Simon Lynch then flashed a shot just wide two minutes later, but it was Saints who applied the killer touch with the winner coming in the final minute.

Millar had made great strides down the right wing after being released by sub Alan Morgan, and his pass across the face of the goal was tapped in by Milne.

Boss Derek McInnes said he was happy with the victory, but still feels there is more to come from the McDiarmid Park side.

“There was a lot to be pleased about, but I just want the players to show a bit of belief and be a bit more convincing at times. However I’m delighted with the players’ efforts—they’ve earned that win today.”