Tommy Wright was pleased St Johnstone grabbed all three points in what he conceded was a “terrible” game of football at Inverness.
Liam Craig’s last-minute penalty was the only goal in a drab contest.
The sending-off of Dave Mackay at the start of the second half was the only meaningful action before Craig’s spot-kick, which he won after being hauled down by Danny Devine.
Despite the win, Wright felt his side’s performance still left a bit to be desired.
“We’re delighted with the result but not the performance in terms of what we did with the ball. We gave it away too cheaply and didn’t keep possession but there was a lot of character out there,” he said.
“In the second half we had more shots on target than we did in the first, so it was a strange game.
“I thought early doors it looked like it was going to end up a 0-0, it looked like one of those games.
“I make no apologies for it but it was a terrible game of football but we had to get something out of it and we stayed in the game. When you stay in the game I always believe you’ll get another opportunity and we got it with the last kick of the ball.
“I’m pleased with that and the players deserve a lot of credit for it.”
Caley Thistle boss John Hughes was left bemoaning a lack of urgency from his side when St Johnstone went down to 10 men.
Inverness looked comfortable on the ball but never took the game to the visitors when it was there for the taking, before Craig’s late sucker punch.
“We weren’t as good in the second half as we were in the first. But we were still probing. Losing the goal in the last minute is disappointing but playing against 10 men we have to test their goalkeeper,” he said.
“Even in the second half we were putting crosses in. (Carl) Tremarco was putting crosses in and even though they weren’t all great, you’re looking for a striker to get on the end of one.
“I’m disappointed to lose the game but these things happen – it’s gone for us before. But we need to be more cutting and ruthless with 10 men and that’s my disappointment.”
Hughes felt the lack of attacking options on the bench for Inverness contributed to their lack of a goal threat.
“We played with James Vincent up there with Miles Storey who’s not a natural striker. Maybe if we had a Billy Mckay then it might have been different,” said Hughes.