Kris Doolan praised Kilmarnock’s new-found defensive durability after they prised a point from a goalless stalemate at St Mirren.
The interim manager, stepping in for his second game since the sacking of Stuart Kettlewell, guided struggling Killie to a William Hill Premiership draw in Paisley.
Doolan ranked that as a major positive, despite the result extending their run without a league win to 12 games.
Kilmarnock held firm against a second-half bombardment and goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi produced the save of the game from Dan Nlundulu after 61 minutes.
That earned the Ayrshire men a first clean sheet since a 2-0 victory over Saints on October 4.
Doolan said: “I think any point at St Mirren is a great point, especially the way they’re going.
“They’re a top side with a top manager. Yes, we defended the box very well, but it wasn’t just defenders expecting to defend. We defended our goal as a team, as a unit.
“That’s the first clean sheet since October which, for a defence and goalkeeper that’s been under a bit of pressure, is a massive positive.”
Kilmarnock fan frustration boiled over last week at home in the defeat to Falkirk and full-back Dom Thompson verbally clashed with one Rugby Park supporter.
But the away end in Paisley was packed and full of appreciation for their team’s efforts that moved Killie four points clear of bottom-placed Livingston.
“I think that’s massive to see the connection between the players and the fans at the end,” added Doolan. “That’s what we need. The players want to give them everything and the fans want to see that effort.
“The players appreciated that fans dig into their pockets at this time of year. It was just a brilliant feeling.”
St Mirren managed Stephen Robinson admitted it proved a frustrating afternoon for his squad.
However, there was comfort in securing their third-consecutive clean sheet in the league.
Robinson said: “I thought we totally dominated the game – 47 balls into the box, 11 corners.
“We felt we should’ve been coming out with three points but we weren’t clinical enough.
“I don’t think our final pass, our final decision in forward areas was right or good enough.
“I don’t think we moved the ball quickly enough at times in the first half and that’s the reason why we got one point instead of three.
“But it keeps us five games unbeaten now in all competitions. Another clean sheet, so there’s a lot of positives in that.
“We’re frustrated, though. We did have a couple of good chances and their keeper certainly had a good save in the second half.”
