Tony Docherty feels the real Dundee were on display against St Mirren

Tony Docherty insists experience was the key as his side picked up a precious win over St Mirren on Saturday.

The Dark Blues are the joint third top scorers in the Scottish Premiership but sit 11th in the table and have the worst defensive record of 67 goals conceded.

Docherty has been hampered throughout the campaign because of injuries to key players including goalkeeper Trevor Carson as well as defenders Jordan McGhee, Joe Shaughnessy and Clark Robertson.

However, all four played on Saturday and helped Dundee keep what was only their second clean sheet in the league this season while Simon Murray secured the victory with a deadly double.

And the manager was delighted with the contribution from his experienced campaigners.

Docherty said: “I said it pre-match, I said it during the week, that when I get the experience back in the team, then I think you’ll see the real us.

“I think at this stage last year we were the top scorers outwith the Old Firm as well, but we were defensively sound because I had the experience in the team.

“This year, Joe, for example, has missed 31 appearances, Clark 22, Jordan 14, Trevor 16.

“So when these players are back on the pitch, that allows the bravery to attack and win games.

“I’m delighted for the players showing the resilience, the mentality to keep that clean sheet.

“And then you’ve got Simon at the other end – there can’t be many more important players for provincial clubs in the league this season.

“This is why I went all out in the summer with the support of the club to get Simon here, because I knew he would be that.

“You see his relationship with the fans as well, that drives him, that gets more out of him as well and he gives you everything.

“That’s you seeing Simon on the pitch, but trust me, he’s like that during the week, he’s an inspiration, like others are in that team.

“But they need to be on the pitch for me and now they are.

“If we keep that clean sheet, there’s always goals from us.”

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson admitted his side got exactly what they deserved from the game.

He said: “The second goal changes the whole aspect of the game, because then we lose a little bit of patience.

“We start crossing the ball from deeper, instead of working into areas that can really hurt them.