Embarrassment of hitches for us

Simo’s Saints ‘all over shop’ before steadying

- FRASER MACKIE AT McDIARMID PARK

SIMO VALAKARI admitted Saints avoided a red face by recovering from a huge second-half scare.

The Perth faithful feared letting a 3-0 lead slip after the Spiders hit back through Seb Drozd anda controversial Josh Fowler penalty.

Jack Baird’s header calmed the nerves on 84 minutes.

But victory was only secured after Rocco Friel grabbed Queen's another lifeline.

Saints stretched their Championship to six points ahead of a top-of-the-table trip to Partick Thistle.

Valakari said: “Looking at our players in the dressing room, they are relieved.

“They could've been embarrassed - winning 3-0 at home at halftime and letting the game go through your fingers. But they showed great character and quality to get 4-2 to earn the victory.