CHEICK MATE

Sidibeh sinks high-fliers as Diabate & Co sweep board

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CHEICK DIABATE reckons St Johnstone's defence is well over its dip.

Saints have had shut-outs in five of their last six matches and haven't conceded in nine halves of football - a run that stretches back to a 4-2 win over Ayr United on December 12.

That mean streak has helped Saints overcome a mid-season wobble that saw them leak seven goals in three games.

Queen's Park hit three past them with Cove and Partick Thistle also netting twice.

Jags boss Mark Wilson said his side had been set up to expose weaknesses" in the Saints defence as they beat their title rivals 2-1.

But Diabate insists boss Simo Valakari has plugged the gaps as he fired back at Wilson.

He said: "If that's what he said, it was fair enough. When we played Partick, they did cause us problems.

"But any team in this league will cause us problems if we're not ready and at it.

"The mentality has been very good in recent games. We need to keep that up.