It was not just the steady drizzle that fell on Tannadice that rained on St Mirren’s parade.

But St Mirren boss Jack Ross has maintained that there are no nerves in the Paisley camp as Saints inch their way towards the Championship title.

A Billy King goal just two minutes into last night’s game at Tannadice against Dundee United ensured that the champagne had to remain on ice but Ross is adamant that his side have not lost their bottle as they close in on the title.

St Mirren require just one point from their remaining four games and will target it this Saturday when they host Livingston.

“People who were there will know that we didn’t look like a nervous team,” said Ross after the game.

“This team has coped with worse pressure last season when we were trying to stay in the league.

“They have dealt with the pressure of being top of the league all season.”

The Saints boss appeared to be embroiled in a touchline spat with his opposite number, Csaba Laszlo at the end of the game, something that he insisted was the responsibility of the United manager.

“There were no words exchanged by me at the end,” said Ross. “He said something inappropriate to one of the members of my staff.

“He’s not my cup of tea. What he said to my staff was unacceptable.

“What did he say? You’ll have to ask him, good luck with that.”

More pertinently, is what St Mirren have to say for themselves this weekend.

The Paisley side have four games to get themselves over the line but for all that Ross maintained it wasn't nerves which hindered them against Dundee United, his side played without the fluency that has been the hallmark of their season to date.

On a brighter note, St Mirren will at least have the chance to clinch their return to the top flight in front of their own support on Saturday, although Ross acknowledged that he would rather it was finally done as opposed to fretting over what audience the success will come in front of.

“I would like to have won it on Saturday!" he smiled, "I am sure people will like the idea of doing it at home but I honestly don’t care where it happens.

“I can’t fault the boys in terms of the effort and desire.

“I thought there could have been a caution earlier in the game last night, but that’s Scottish football, it’s competitive.

“Teams won’t roll over against us.

“But the boys will be okay. It’s human nature to be disappointed right now but we have put ourselves in the position we have five opportunities to get a point to win the league.

“Tonight was the first one to pass us by but we have four more, including three at home where we’ve lost once in14 months.

“I’m sure every other side in the Championship would take our position."

John Sutton came off the bench to make his first appearance for the club since January and had a chance to win it almost at the death.

Having crept in behind United's defence, he was foiled as Denis Mehmet stood up to the chance and it passed him by. Ross admitted afterwards that he felt it was going to be the moment the title was delivered.

“With John’s association with the club it would have been appropriate at that time," he said.

“But it was one of those nights, we had one off the bar and chances near the end.

“It was competitive without too many clear cut chances."

St Mirren hit the bar in the opening period but in fairness the only other moment to trouble the Tannadice defence came with Sutton's late effort.

A brighter performance will be expected in front of their own support on Saturday as they look to finally get the party started.