THE SPINE of any football team is easily the most important part and, despite losing this match, Saints will take heart that theirs is still one of the best around.

Everything that happens to a football team when they step on to the pitch revolves around that spine - the goalkeeper, a centre half, a central midfielder and a striker.

If they are good, then the team will be good.

If they are poor, then the team will be a shambles.

Gordon Strachan has built his side around a good spine.

In goal there is the outstanding Antti Niemi, who has conceded only 24 goals in the 24 league and cup matches he has played.

In defence you have Claus Lundekvam - ably assisted by Michael Svensson.

In midfield there's the ever impressive Matthew Oakley.

And in attack Mr Goals himself, James Beattie.

The common theme running right down Saints' spine is the work ethic, the commitment and the drive that pushes the team forward.

As with all good spines, everything else can only function well around it when it's strong.

On Saturday it was as strong as ever, Blackburn just nicked the crucial goal and had Brad Friedel in goal.

In the first meeting of these sides earlier this season Strachan likened the American 'keeper to 'Superman' and he was just as good at Ewood Park.

Saints have taken just one point off Rovers this campaign, despite two good performances against them, and it's not completely laughable to suggest that Friedel has cost them five points.

Speaking of the match, Blackburn boss and former Saints manager Graeme Souness said: "It was a gritty performance and we were not at our silky passing best.

"But I was very pleased as we have played a lot of games already this season and have looked jaded recently.

"They started brightly and it could have been 2-2 at half-time, but David Thompson did well for his goal.

"It was the sort of goal we encourage our wide players to get into position to score in the same way that Freddie Ljungberg does for Arsenal."

The solitary strike came on 26 minutes after Saints conceded possession during a mix-up between Chris Marsden and Anders Svensson.

Blackburn, who had entered the match without a win in any competition since their 4-1 FA Cup third round win at Villa Park in early January, quickly worked the ball out to Keith Gillespie who crossed to the far post where Thompson floated in and swept home from 12 yards.

But how Niemi and Friedel managed to pull off so many saves so that this game finished with only one goal is remarkable.

The highlights for the Saints 'keeper were stops from a Thompson far post header, Henning Berg's close range shot, Tugay's fierce drive and two late efforts from Andy Cole.

Friedel, meanwhile, dived full length to his left twice in a minute to keep out Chris Marsden, who shot first-time after being put through by Jo Tessem, and then Fabrice Fernandes.

He would later save from Paul Telfer, Fernandes again and tip Oakley's stinging piledriver over the bar.

And somewhere in among all that Blackburn had very vocal appeals for a first half penalty turned down, Michael Svensson's header clipped the top of the bar and Beattie - the man responsible for the only goal Saints have netted in their last four Premiership matches - blasted over when put through by a misplaced backpass.

It was disappointing that Saints couldn't be clinical enough to get a goal, but still encouraging that they looked so good and their spine was so strong.