Simon Murray netted twice to end Dundee’s dismal run of three straight defeats as they brought St Mirren firmly back down to earth.
Missing key players – including central defender Antonio Portales who is expected to be out until until mid-February – Docherty watched on in frustration as Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio were forced off injured in the opening 20 minutes.
It seemed to galvanise Dundee with Docherty insisting that it showed the character of his side.
“As a manager you can improve players technically, you can work on the training field and you can do analysis but you can’t put that mentality into them and that spirit,” said the Dens Park manager.
“Spirit in a dressing room isn’t all about getting along and going on nights out, it’s about that type of performance, digging in for one another.
“They’re knackered in there and everyone of them has given everything. It’s pleasing to be the manager of that group and it doesn’t surprise me because they’ve done it time and time again when there’s been a question asked of them and there was a question today.
“I said to them I would see a lot in the performance about mentality and I saw resilience, spirit and mentality that allowed us to come to a difficult place against a good team and take all three points.
Stephen Robinson’s side remain in fifth spot but after their thrilling win over Rangers on Boxing night, their second-half display will have frustrated the Saints manager.
“We did okay in the game but it wasn’t good enough on the day<‘ said Robinson. “We’ve got to learn that games like this, you’ve got to get a point out of it.
“But also I don’t want to take away from the fact that it’s been a fantastic 2024. We managed to finish in Europe I we have to remember that and we’re now ahead of where we were this time last year.
“It’s disappointing today and we’re all emotional about it, including myself, but on the whole, when I sit back and reflect, when teams come and are a bit more direct, we have to find more invention and quality and killer instinct around the area.
“Also, we can’t lose the game. If you’re not going to win, don’t lose it and that’s the hard bit to take. Credit to Dundee, they played the conditions well and played balls into the box and tested us and eventually got their rewards.
“A few players looked a bit tired today from the exertions of the other night against Rangers but we still had the quality and energy to go and win the game.
“We have a great chance when Toyosi goes through and hits the side netting but we didn’t create enough and our final ball was disappointing. We tried to make positive changes but it didn’t quite work.
“There’s nothing in the game but to lose the goals that we did, it’s highly frustrating for a manager.
“We’ve lost in a manner we don’t like and those are the games you need to steal a point and that’s what we haven’t been able to do in games we’ve lost, against Motherwell and Dundee United recently.
“It’s something as a group we all have to learn from.”
Murray netted in a header in each half to ensure that Toyosi Olusanya’s leveller was little more than a statistical footnote in this game.
The Dundee striker could and should Murray have had a hat trick with Alex Iacovitti clearing one off the line when the game was still goalless.
He swiftly atoned when he headed Josh Mulligan’s delivery into the net.
Olusanya netted a replica goal at the other end when he got himself on the end of Elvis Bwomono’s cross to send the teams into the break on level terms.
The Saints striker hit the side netting at the start of the season period but it was Dundee who looked most likely to add to their tally.
It came when Murray headed Dundee back in front with attention now turning to the Tayside derby on Thursday.
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