Motherwell boss Steven Hammell admits he was content to take a point at St Johnstone after their recent run of results - but says he is heading into the World Cup break to get his side prepared to challenge for third spot in the Premiership.
The Steelmen remain ninth in the table after a 1-1 draw in Perth, where Drey Wright's opener was cancelled out by Blair Spittal's free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Despite having won just once in six games going into the clash, Motherwell are only six points off of third-place Livingston, having played a game more, and Hammell believes that must be the target they focus on when they return to action in five weeks.
Injuries have taken their toll since Hammell took the reins in late July and believes their displays haven't yielded just rewards, so he hopes to use the break to get his Steelmen firing on all cylinders when they resume.
He said: "It's been a really tough run of fxitures and results, but the season is going to be like that.
"We looked at the table there and we are six points off third place, considering where we are at.
"With other results and how close each team is, it was about getting through those spells that were going to come.
"When I took the job we knew it wasn't going to be perfect and we'd go through difficult moments but to come here and get a draw gives us a bit of a platform.
"That [challenging for third] is where we want to be. We want to in amongst that conversation and that group.
"It is not a million miles away but we are also aware of what is below and where we are at.
"I think we should have more points than we have, but it is still there for us.
"If we can put a run together - as teams have shown this season - it makes all the difference.
"That is the kind of momentum we will be looking to gather after the break."
Motherwell had to patch up their squad after Kevin van Veen and Stuart McKinstry overcame knocks from the defeat to Celtic in midweek, but Bevis Mugabi missed out with aknee injury.
A sticky pitch in Perth didn't help either side get the ball down and string passes together, but considering Saints have only lost once at home in their last six Hammell knows a point is still a decent return.
He added: "This is a difficult place to come to. I've come here as a player with really good Motherwell teams and lost here.
"The pitch isn't very conducive to the way we want to play and I think we saw a bit of that today.
"Especially with the results and the fixtures we've had recently, this isn't what we came for but a point is something we'll settle for.
"We've not drawn enough games this season - that is only our second draw - so if we could have added those games up to the performamces we had it, would have made a difference.
"To come away with a draw isn't a disaster.
"The break now is a chance for us to refresh, regroup and reassess what we are doing.
"Again, it was a pretty similar starting 11 or squad. It's the same, 13 players we are asking to go againa dn again so it is good for them to recharge and come back in good condition and ready to go again.
"That is the goal.
"We've got some fixtures afer the World Cup that we really want to approach in a really positive manner."
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