ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross insists Tuesday night’s thumping 4-1 win over Renfrewshire rivals Morton was payback to the Saints supporters.

The Buddies arrived at Cappielow with memories of a bleak night for St Mirren in November still fresh. Saints went to Greenock early on in Ross' reign and they were humbled 3-1, with the scoreline flattering a woeful display.

The Buddies boss would later call it the most disappointing performance from any team he has managed.

Fast forward a little over five months and a resurgent Saints delivered a display belying their lowly league position as they bossed proceedings against Jim Duffy’s promotion-chasing Ton.

On a wet and windy night in Greenock, Saints were roared on throughout by a large travelling support and Ross was delighted his team could give something back to the fans who have stuck with him, and his players, throughout a difficult season.

He said: “Morton are where they are in the league for a reason, they are a good side. We have had to take our medicine from them this season and it was nice to put that right for the supporters.

“It’s a very pleasing night for the club. We were well and truly beaten here earlier in the season.

“For a lot of people associated with the club that was a sore night, we were outclassed and outfought. It was nice to come here and put that right, for the supporters in particular because the numbers they travelled in again were outstanding.”

The victory is the Buddies’ sixth in the last nine league matches, a drastic turnaround having won just two in the previous 23 games, and lifts them out of the Championship relegation zone.

Having put themselves on the verge of a highly implausible great escape, Ross is confident his squad can secure their Championship status in the remaining four games.

He said: “To go up another place is a great reward for the players. They have deserved it because they have shown enormous character over the last three months because we were written off, dead and buried, by a lot of people.

“To get back to where we are now with four games to go is testament to that group. They know they still have a good bit of work to do but I’m confident they will take that challenge on.”