IAN MURRAY says St Mirren’s mental strength proves they can mastermind an escape route into the Premiership play-offs.

Two suckerpunch defeats to Falkirk and Raith Rovers last month threatened to scupper early hopes that the Paisley club could mount a promotion push to get back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

Against the Bairns Saints let a two goal lead slip to go down 3-2, while in a tussle with the Fifers a last-gasp winner saw the Kirkcaldy outfit claim all three points in a 2-1 reverse.

However, the teething problems in those games appeared to be straightened out last week when the Buddies claimed a credible 1-1 draw away to Hibs.

Now ahead of Alloa’s visit to Paisley this afternoon, manager Murray is content his team’s positive attitude is beginning to pay off.

“It was a good result and a good performance against Hibs. The organisation and discipline was excellent, our game plan worked well.

“We were disappointed not to win but we gave a good account of ourselves and it was a good result.

“We certainly had a little bit of a positive mentality and we stuck to the task for 90 minutes. We could have been tighter in possession but overall it was good for the players to prove to themselves and others that when the going gets tough they can dig in.

“We are not too far away. It has been about fine lines in certain games and that is what has killed us.

“I know people don’t want to hear it but players are still getting used to this league, even though you don’t have time to adjust. We are under no illusions and today at home to Alloa is a huge game for us.”

While a point at Easter Road is a step in the right direction, Murray will be aware it must be backed up with another positive result this afternoon.

Currently sitting third bottom, the pre-season aim of gaining promotion to the Premiership seems far away with St Mirren still waiting on their first home league win of the campaign.

The Buddies boss wants that to change today.

He said: “Losing to Falkirk 3-2 having been 2-0 up was difficult. Even our response to going behind against Raith was fairly positive in the way they played. Raith’s late goal was a bit of a sickener for the players because they had worked so hard.

“They have shown good character so far. People perhaps look at results when we haven’t won as many games as we would have liked, but certainly we feel we are not too far away once we start to turn the screw.

“We are under no illusions, though. At the moment we are nine points away from the play-offs and if that gap gets bigger it will make life incredibly difficult.”

Many will look at their opponents and think the Championship’s basement club will be an easy push over. Not the St Mirren manager, however.

“This is my fourth season in the league and I have come up against Alloa a number of times,” said the ex-Dumbarton boss.

“I saw them against Falkirk two weeks ago and they were excellent. They were really well organised, they had fighting spirit when down to 10 men.

“I’ve said to the players that we know they are part-time and they don’t have the best of league positions at the moment, but look at some of their results. We will give them the respect they deserve.

“Having said that, this is a home game for us and we have to win it:”