Saturday 24 January 2015 07:18, UK
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was content to take home a point from his side’s 1-1 draw at St Johnstone even though the result meant the Dons failed to return to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Adam Rooney's excellent second-half equaliser earned the visitors a draw at McDiarmid Park after Simon Lappin had opened the scoring for Saints after 30 minutes.
The point means Aberdeen trail leaders Celtic on goal difference having played two more matches, but also extends their unbeaten run to nine games.
"It is not a disaster coming away from here with a point," said McInnes.
"St Johnstone are a good side and I think they showed that at times. From our point of view we came here to win. I don't think the performance from us was good enough to do that, but 26 points out of 30 is still a good run.
"There is a lot more expected of us now and in years gone by a draw at McDiarmid Park would go without notice but people are expecting more of us.
"We want to try and make sure we do all we can to win games and I don't think the way we started gave ourselves that chance.
"St Johnstone are always tough opponents. They were certainly up for the game and I thought overall a draw was probably the right result.
"I'm disappointed with the start of the game. We were backed by a big crowd and we knew the importance of the game tonight as we had the opportunity to go top of the league and I don't think our start really reflected that.
"They were more aggressive than us, they turned us, got the ball forward quicker than us and won more second balls, headers and tackles in that first half hour.
"But Rooney scores a brilliant goal. It sits up nicely and he still has a lot to do. It was a fantastic strike and good technique.
"We were more like ourselves at the end of the first half and from the start of the second half our play was far more threatening."
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright said: "It was a performance to be proud of and I couldn't ask for any more from the players.
"We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country. We could have won it and Derek will probably think they could have won it because it was like two boxers exchanging punches. It was end-to-end stuff.
"If we had got the second goal with Lee Croft's chance when it hits the post then we can go on and win the game but Alan Mannus has had to make a couple of good saves so I am happy.
"Another night we could have got all three points or I could have been sitting here saying it was bad luck that we got no points. So I will take the point and that performance."
