BY KYLE GUNN

SAM FOLEY cracked in a late stunner to lift St Mirren up to tenth place on Saturday after beating Ross County in Paisley. 

Jim Goodwin’s side had a number of chances to get all three points against the Staggies but were made to wait until two minutes from time before sealing the win. 

And Foley - who netted his first goal for the club - praised the team spirit which saw Saints through to the end. 

Speaking after the County win, he said: “That wasn’t a bad way to open my account for St Mirren, but the most important thing was getting the three points. 

“I am a pretty humble guy but it was nice to score - I was actually aiming for the other corner but I will take it. I know it was a big goal for the team and it sealed the win for us. 

“I don’t think we played great to be honest but we got the win and that’s the main thing. We have been working hard these last few weeks and we never got the rewards we deserved. 

“That hopefully gives us a boost going forward - the main thing is getting the win.

“The lads have shown we have great character and this game proved it again. They are a great bunch of lads and since the minute I walked into the dressing room I knew it was a good place to come to work. 

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“We showed a lot of fight to stay in the game and it was almost role reversal from the game against them earlier in the season. 

“They scored a last minute goal that day so it was nice to be able to do it to them and get one over on them.”

Opening up on his time in Paisley, the former Northampton Town midfielder has enjoyed his time in Scotland so far. 

His summer move to the Buddies is the first time the 33-year-old has played outside England. 

And, having only lost once and conceded twice there this season, Foley was delighted with the form at the Simple Digital Arena. The Gazette: The 33-year-old caught it perfectly with just two minutes remaining (Photo: Allan Picken)The 33-year-old caught it perfectly with just two minutes remaining (Photo: Allan Picken)

He continued: “I know I am privileged and lucky to be in the job I am. I get to play football in front of people and get paid for it. I appreciate how great my job is every day. If I see something I want to do then I will give it everything I have to achieve it and make it a success. 

"Being here is no different. It was something new for me, coming up to Scotland, but I am loving it right now. It was an adventure and a new experience that I can learn from and improve me as a player and a person.

"Scottish football is so intense and I think it is a throwback to what English football used to be like. There is so much money down there now that it churns out so much stuff it is unbelievable. 

"It is so in your face all the time. Scottish football is working class and it means so much to people. I like that about it here. I can relate to it in some ways that it matters to fans, because I am like that too. My whole life has revolved around football. I enjoy it as much as the fans.

“Our home form has been brilliant so far and long may it continue. Our away form hasn’t been great so goodness knows where we would be without our results at home. 

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"We have been excellent and we have only lost two goals at home in six games. The home form gives us an edge coming here and we should be proud of it. We don’t fear anyone coming here. We have shown we are good enough to give anyone a game.

"You won’t always have as much of the ball as you would like against the bigger teams but we have performed well against the likes of Aberdeen and Rangers. If we can keep doing what we are at home, and improve our away form then the only way is up for us.”

St Mirren play host to Hibernian tomorrow night. Kick-off 7.45pm.

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