DANNY LENNON has urged his battling Buddies to show the same fighting spirit that saw them shock Motherwell when they face relegation rivals Hibs tomorrow.

St Mirren gave their Premiership survival hopes a huge shot in the arm with a dramatic late comeback against the Steelmen a fortnight ago as they climbed out of the play-off zone.

Terry Butcher's side make the trip to Paisley this weekend as the post-split fixture schedule kicks off and the five teams bidding for top-flight safety fight it out over the next few weeks.

And boss Lennon knows his Saints players will need all their grit and determination to ensure they are guaranteed a Premiership place next term.

He said: "It was a really important win for us against Motherwell and a very valuable three points.

"I was delighted with the spirit we showed on the day to come back from two goals down and then go on and get the winner late on.

"We will require that desire and heart in the coming weeks as we look to pick up as many points as possible in the next five games.

"We know that we are going to be in for a very difficult challenge against a Hibs side which is also desperate for points.

"I have spoken a lot about character and heart, and they are qualities we will need over the next five games.

"But you need people who are brave and that want on the ball to make things happen.

"At the end of the day, it is a game of football and we give ourselves a better opportunity of picking up points when we play our brand of football."

With just four points separating seventh-placed Hibees and second-bottom Partick Thistle going into the end-of-season shoot-out, the battle to beat the drop is likely to go right down to the wire this term.

Every point will prove crucial in the coming weeks, with the table likely to change significantly after each game has been played.

But Lennon insists he is only concerned about the fortunes of his side as they look to finish with a flourish.

He said: "If we can take care of ourselves and do our job then we will be fine and that is all we are focusing on.

"We won't worry about what the other teams around us are doing. If we take care of our business then we will give ourselves the best opportunity of moving up the table.

"We are not looking any further ahead than the game with Hibernian tomorrow. I am only concerned about what we do, that is our only focus between now and the end of the season.

"We will be fully prepared for the game and we will have the players ready to go and put in a performance to get us another three points.

"We can't afford to take our eye off the ball and look at the teams round about us. My total focus is on St Mirren. Everyone has their own house to look after."

While the Saints return to action with a bit of momentum following their dramatic Motherwell victory, Hibs are in freefall after a shocking run of results that has seen them dragged into the relegation battle.

The capital club have toiled since boss Butcher replaced Pat Fenlon in the dugout, but Lennon knows the Buddies can take nothing for granted against the top-flight's out-of-form team.

He said: "It is never easy for a manager to come into a club halfway through a season and get their ideas across.

"There is no doubt the credentials and qualities that Terry and Maurice [Malpas] have.

"They did a fantastic job up up at Inverness and will be looking to finish the season strongly, but we need the points just as much as them."