Craig Levein swiftly experienced all the stresses associated with managing in the Scottish Premiership on his long-awaited return to the dugout.
Levein spoke at his unveiling on Monday of being ‘knackered’ by the pressures of piling work on himself trying to do two jobs at Hearts in his last gig in the top flight game.
The one role of manager is tough enough, as he discovered once again as Saints let a two-goal lead slip.
Nicky Clark followed up his double from last week with another strike and Andy Considine looked set to make it a perfect start in Perth for Levein by making it 2-0 at the break.
Even by an hour, St Johnstone looked comfortable against a Motherwell team toiling to arrest their own struggles and slide down the table.
But inspired, as ever, by Arsenal forward Mika Biereth, Stuart Kettlewell’s men nabbed a draw to maintain a four-point cushion on their bottom-of-the-table hosts.
Shane Blaney headed home then Biereth netted the fourth goal of his impressive loan stint.
It had been four years and one week since a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone spelled the end for Levein at Hearts.
He’s rediscovered his appetite and believes Perth is the place where he can make a difference.
To that end, he brought in Dan Phillips for suspended Dara Costelloe in one change from the Alex Cleland’s caretaker victory over Kilmarnock and played the Trinidad & Tobago man at right wing-back.
That one might need a bit of work but Phillips was as combative as ever and he wasn’t the only one as every Saints man gave their all.
They just ran out of steam in the end but avoided the worst case scenario of an all-out collapse.
The visitors thought they had the early lead. Considine and keeper Dimitar Mitov failed miserably to deal with a long ball.
Conor Wilkinson chipped the outrushing Mitov to net amid handball claims from Saints.
VAR concurred and quickly bailed out ref Euan Anderson to advise the goal shouldn’t stand.
Saints capitalised on the early let-offin style. Graham Carey’s family received support with stadium applause in the 11th minute for his wife Rachel and her battle against cancer.
The Irishman contributed to the first half goals. Carey’s shot, defected for a corner, helped break the deadlock.
Matt Smith delivered a superb front post cross and Clark beat two defenders to fire a header firmly past Liam Kelly.
Clark’s last four starts have come for four different managers - Callum Davidson, Steven MacLean, Cleland and Levein.
He’s back from a long-term ankle injury and looks to be a huge bonus for Levein.
Considine is no penalty box danger in that mould. But with Motherwell terrible clearing lines, the centre half was able to nab his first goal for 14 months.
Carey’s corner swung in on top of a defence that failed with several opportunities to clear.
Veteran defender Considine claimed the vital touch to nurse the ball home.
Saints proved better at defending to maintain the advantage to the break.
Dan Casey’s header was heading bottom corner before Luke Robinson adjusted on the line to kick clear.
Theo Bair came on for Spencer and the ex-Saints flop was denied a great chance by an expert Ryan McGowan intervention.
When Motherwell finally burst through and altered momentum, they were deadly.
Blair Spittal’s fine ball to the back post matched with Wilkinson who guided a header across goal. Blaney nodded past Dimitar Mitov from close range.
Confidence returned to the Steelmen and Casey came within inches of an equaliser. One was on the way.
Georgie Gent replaced Callum Slattery and hurtled down the left. His delivery curled all the way to the back post where Danish ace Biereth produced a brilliant controlled finish.
The game threatened to swing either way and Saints enjoyed the best chances towards the end.
The excellent Matt Smith’s ambitious half-volley from 20 yards was nudged over the bar by the fingertips of Liam Kelly.
Stevie May flashed a header inches wide with his sole chance as a stoppage time substitute.
