George Burley has urged Saints and their devastated fans to "keep believing".

The boss may have seen his side end their season with a heartbreaking play-off semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Derby at Pride Park last night.

But he feels that significant progress has been made.

The stats prove that - Saints collected 15 more points in 2006/07 than in 2005/06, won more games (21 to 13) and scored more goals (77 to 49). They also finished six places higher.

Burley insists this will prove the basis for an even better season next time out and has urged fans to keep the faith.

He said: "It's been a terrific season.

"The team's moving forward and there are a lot of encouraging signs.

"There are young players and it's a big blow missing out on penalties, but as far as the squad's concerned we'll look at it.

"I'm very proud, there's no regrets.

"We worked our socks off, they played as best as they could and really deserved to get to the final. But in football you don't always get that".

Burley, who was suffering his fifth play-off semi-final defeat in six attempts, added: "We need to keep believing and keep working hard. There's not any easy answer.

"You want to develop your squad to get to the Premiership and that's what we're doing.

"There's a belief in the fans that the team is beginning to look like a team that can perform in the Premiership.

"And that's what we've got to do to push on for next season".

Full interview, and seven pages of Derby v Saints coverage, in today's Daily Echo.