SNS GroupDerek McInnes was pleased to give the long-suffering travelling fans from Kilmarnock a big win to celebrate after prevailing 2-0 against St Johnstone in Perth.
Killie recorded only their third away William Hill Premiership victory of the season and first since October thanks to a goal in either half from David Watson and Danny Armstrong.
That was sufficient to take the Ayrshire men six points clear of 11th-placed Ross County with three games to play of a tough campaign.
McInnes, who revealed striker Bobby Wales was likely to leave the club after links with Swansea, said: “I want to give the supporters highlights between now and the end of the season.
“And this was a good day for them. We had a huge crowd coming up. A lot of them had been disappointed with a lot of away results this season.
“We have been close and have merited more at times, but this was all about the win.
“The supporters are going home happy and you could see the response at the end.
“I am delighted. Up until last weekend, nobody could breathe easy in the bottom six.
“There is so much to play for, and there is pressure and anxiety for the boys.
“But that’s three 2-0 wins in the last four games, with the other one against Celtic away.
“The form we have shown has been pleasing. We are keeping clean sheets again. This is the type of form I expect from us.
“We didn’t need to be brilliant. But we did need to be responsible, mature, professional and that’s exactly what we were.”
Bottom club St Johnstone missed another opportunity to place some pressure on Ross County above them.
Simo Valakari’s men will now host County next Saturday needing a win to realistically remain in the William Hill Premiership survival hunt.
Valakari said: “The fight continues because the other results mean we still have a lifeline.
“It sounds crazy – and people outside will not believe it – but we need to believe in here.
“It’s getting more and more difficult, and it’s more likely that next week is our last chance.
“We’ll be playing against our direct opponents and there’s no other option but to win our next match.
“Our problem has been that we haven’t been able to capitalise on other results.
“Teams above us have been able to lose because we haven’t put pressure on them.
“It’s all about us. Ross County can come here to not lose, but we need to win.”
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