Martin: We dug in for QPR victory

Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored the only goal three minutes before half time, calmly volleying home Ryan Manning’s free-kick via a flick on from Adam Armstrong.

It was not a vintage first half, by Martin’s own admission, but Saints improved after the interval and dug deep when needed – particularly following the late dismissal of substitute Shea Charles for two yellow cards – to secure back-to-back wins and extend the club’s unbeaten run to 15 matches.

“It’s a brilliant win, I’m really proud,” the manager said. “It’s a brilliant clean sheet, the fans were incredible, the players fantastic in their willingness to run and battle, and some brilliant moments of quality in the second half in particular.

“We’re playing against a team that is in the top six in the form table at the moment – they’ve made this a really tough place to come, so we knew it was going to be a difficult game. The pitch is difficult, small.

“The first half lacked a bit of energy really, in possession. We had a lot of control, but in the second half I thought we were great.

“The subs had a big impact – Ryan Fraser was fantastic when he came on, Ché Adams, Shea Charles took one for the team and unfortunately for him gets sent off, but if you’re not on a booking he has to make that foul and stop the transition, which is a big strength of QPR’s.

“We limited them to very little, should maybe get another goal – we were in their box so many times in the second half, and some of the play, even when it got a bit tense with a few minutes to go, some of the build-up from the back was really fantastic, so I’m really proud of the players.

“And then Jack (Stephens) comes on and heads it clear at the end and takes one in his mouth and there’s blood everywhere, and that’s what it's going to take.

“I said to them at half time if we're not going to be at our very best, which we weren't in the first half – we were good, but we weren't at our best for sure – then you need to find a way to win. Thankfully, we improved in the second half, we've dug in and we won the game.

“The mentality of this group, honestly, I love watching them grow, how together they are, how much they're willing to fight for each other. Some of the quality and the courage they've got, and they show, it's just really fantastic.

“Also the fans at the end and the players enjoying it, I love seeing that, because there wasn't enough of that, I don't think, previously. There really is now a big connection between the team and the supporters, and that was a beautiful moment.”