Source: Team_Talk
Houston hails smash-and-grab win
Houston had sympathy for Saints boss Gus MacPherson after performing a smash and grab to snatch all three points.[LNB]But he also believes his players deserve credit for returning to Tayside with the win after coming through the match with a whole host of first-team players missing through injury.[LNB]Michael Higdon had given Saints the lead before Danny Swanson levelled with seven minutes to go and substitute David Goodwillie grabbed the winner deep into injury time.[LNB]Houston said: "I'm delighted with the three points but I feel for Gus because I've been on the end of these games before.[LNB]"We tried everything, put three strikers on and with seven minutes going I just couldn't see it happening as it had been a bad afternoon.[LNB]"I hate making excuses but when I mention the names of Wilkie, Webster, Scott Robertson, Kovacevic, Dixon, Sandaza, Cadamarteri - they are all first-team players so we are working with the basics.[LNB]"So to get through that game and having to fill jerseys is a credit to the players. I'll be honest and say I didn't see it coming but I'm delighted with the three points.[LNB]"I just thought it was going to come back and bite us on the backside, the fact that we are so many players down at the moment but I have to give great credit to the guys because we haven't played particularly well and we've come away with the win."[LNB]The win allowed United to keep the pressure on Hibernian for third spot in the SPL ahead of their visit to Rangers on Sunday and also provided Houston's men with a boost as they prepare to face the other half of the Old Firm next week.[LNB]He added: "We've stolen it and I can understand St Mirren, they will be disappointed. But we are at Celtic Park next week so this is a big, big result for us."[LNB]Saints boss MacPherson believes United deserved to take nothing from the game but admits his own side must do better after throwing away yet another lead.[LNB]He said: "We have lost the game and that's the frustrating thing. They didn't deserve to win and we should have won.[LNB]"But they have gone back with the three points and that's the galling thing. It was a great goal from Michael Higdon and it was thoroughly deserved and we just had to keep doing what we were doing.[LNB]"It's frustrating and we have been here before when we have got the first goal and can't see the game out."[LNB][LNB]
