Head coach Simo Valakari hailed the fantastic team spirit on show as the Saints picked up all three points against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Striker Josh Fowler netted from the penalty spot early in the first half – and that proved to be the only goal of the contest.
Saints defended resolutely throughout from front to back and worked tirelessly to secure a first clean sheet of the campaign and move into the top six.
Simo said: “It is nice to be back playing competitive football. What a game. The boys put in an unbelievable shift and showed great work ethic at a difficult place.
“Sometimes you need to control the game without the ball – how you defend the box and the midfield duels. I’m so proud how the boys did it.
“We were playing against good players and a very big club. There were going to be moments when we suffered. And we did. But we defended so, so well.
“It was proper old-school football. When you are able to defend like that, it warms my heart.”
Simo added: “I’m so happy for our fans who travelled up to the game. They could see the smiles on the players’ faces and just what it means to play for the club.
“As always, it is a team effort. A collective effort. Matty Foulds is a prime example. He has not been playing all the time, but every day you push on the training ground, every moment you are with the team.
“Then you know, when your chance comes, you are going to help this team. This is a squad game and everyone always needs to be ready. Now we recover and get ready for next Saturday.”
