Despite the opposition's poor form there were few who travelled north with much expectation. We were heartened not simply by a valuable away point but by the confident and assured performance that saw us pushing for a victory in the closing minutes rather than holding out to protect the draw.
The manager was quick to praise the 14 players who took part and he suggested that he could rely on any of them in his next selection. Particular delight was taken from their reaction to the undeserved concession of the first goal. It came just before half time and from a dodgy free kick but there was no sign of self pity. Instead there was a belief that the game was not lost and the reward came with McDonald's header.
The only downside was the sight of captain Lasley hobbling off the pitch in the second half. It seems that he pulled a calf muscle. It would not have been a surprise had he suffered a broken wrist such was the force he exerted beating the turf when his first half volley was pulled wide of the target. He doesn't get many chances to score but he knows that the 'keeper should have been tested.
The importance of the point was underlined when the results from elsewhere became known. We still remain above the play-off place. If we can take the same positive attitude to Rugby Park next Saturday we may close the gap on Kilmarnock.
When the board appointed Mark McGhee it was an admission that they felt an experienced hand was needed to guide us up the table and into a safe zone. It will take a few months before we can judge whether their chosen one will succeed but there's no doubt that the early signs are encouraging.