The fit again former Dundee man came off a subs’ bench that also included the likes of Jon Daly and Collin Samuel, and Craig believes having that kind of firepower in reserve can help United build a run of results.

“Several times since I arrived here, I have highlighted that when I looked behind me to the bench, I was not seeing enough faces who were tried and tested at this level,” he explained.

“Now we’ve been able to add to the squad, on Saturday I had Robb, Sammy and Daly all sitting there and that kind of strength in depth has to help your chances of winning matches.

“They are players who can come on an make an impact, like Steven did, and from the opposition point of view, if you are a full-back who has had a tough 70 minutes handling a Conway or a Robson, the last thing you want to see is Robb or Samuel coming on.”

Craig, of course, was not underplaying Robson’s role at Love Street, even if he refused to accept credit for his pre-match tip that the skipper would be the main man.

“He’s our best player and consistently produces so it hardly takes a genius to say he is going to play well. It’s still very pleasing that he did and he showed again why he is so important to us.

“I only wish I had two Barry Robsons — one in the middle and one out wide. I definitely see him as a central midfielder because of his presence, but when he goes out wide his delivery is something special.

“A couple of times in the first half on Saturday he put balls in that we really should have capitalised on.”

Also receiving praise on his first start was January signing from Cowdenbeath, Morgaro Gomis, who got an hour or so.

“Understandably, he was a bit nervous, but I was pleased with his work rate and the way he kept things simple,” added Craig.

“It has been difficult for him because the reserve league was shut down in January and I was reluctant to throw him into the first team without games.

“He’s had a couple now and done well in training and, while he is one who will be given time to adapt to this level, I would expect him to be challenging for a place from now on.”

And today Alex highlighted the work put in by groundsman Brian Robertson to make the pitch one of the best in the country.

“The park took a battering on Saturday, but it stood up to it and Brian deserves all the credit for that. I travel all over the country taking in games and our surface is as good as anything you will find right now,” he said.

“That’s because of the work he has put in and anything I ask him to do he does. As we showed on Saturday we are a good passing team, but to do that you need a good surface so he is a vital part of the set up here.

“He also does a lot at our training pitches, so if there is any credit going for Saturday’s win then he deserves his share of it.”

Alex was also quick to pay further tribute to his players for fighting back to beat Saints — a result that leaves them just a point behind the second-placed Perth men in the First Division.

He now believes the rest of the league know it takes a 90-minute performance to beat his team.

“The boys did very well on Saturday. I thought it was a very good game and to come back against a team of St Johnstone’s quality takes a good performance,” he added.

“We are a young team and there is a lot of running in us. Because of that, I always feel we have a chance, even if we are down late on.”

There were no fresh injuries from the weekend, leaving only teenage striker Bryan Deasley causing any concern on the fitness front.

At a push he could have played against Saints, but having been troubled by an ankle injury on and off all season, he will be given time to recover completely.

“He’s had problems with this almost since I arrived and instead of the situation where he plays a couple of games and then misses a few continuing, this time we want to make sure he is definitely over it before we use him again.”