The win in Perth gives Motherwell a comfortable nine point advantage over the bottom pair. We were the more determined team and deserved the victory.
"The fans travelling back down the road will be happy because the boys really played for the shirt today." - Stephen Robinson
The St Johnstone team distributed goody bags to their fans before kick-off but any Motherwell supporter who felt slighted at the lack of festive generosity shown to the visitors would have changed tack within two minutes of the start.
Wet and miserable Tommy
Turnbull's corner was flicked on from a Shaughnessy header to allow Aldred to score his first goal of the season. The home side's charity was then extended when Grimshaw was allowed to bore 25 yards down the right wing then to deliver a ball into the box. Johnson did well to beat his defender to get a touch before he collected the return from Turnbull's fluffed effort and then slammed ball into the net.
The conditions were atrocious for both players and spectators but we adapted well. The early boost allowed us to manage the game. St Johnstone had a few chances to claw back into the game but with the help of another superb penalty save from Gillespie we held them off until the last ten minutes.
We played well on the break and might have increased our advantage but there would be no complaints as the team bus fought the heavy downpour back along the A9.
That was our third win on the road and it gives some comfort ahead of Wednesday's trip to Parkhead. While we are remote outsiders to take anything from the midweek game Saturday's result sets us up well for the visits of St Mirren and Kilmarnock in the coming days.
The manager's signings have been closely discussed in recent weeks but the acquisitions of Gillespie and Mbulu are now paying big dividends. The 'keeper delivered another five star performance while the young centre back showed again why he is considered to be a fine prospect.
Dunne seems to be back at his powerful best and once again in match shape. Against Hearts last week he completed a full game at three quarter pace but at McDiarmid he showed the quality that was common last season.
There still remain four fixtures between the 19th and 29th of December. If we can retain the appetite for the game that was apparent in Perth we should be able to have a happy new year.