John Potter believes at least half the SPL will be involved in the battle to beat the drop this season. Bottom side Hamilton's win at home over Motherwell means there are just five points separating all the clubs in the bottom half of the table.

The defender predicted a relegation fight all the way to the end of the season.

"It will be difficult against Accies next week, they had a good result on Saturday and will be buoyed by that," the St Mirren stopper said.

"It is our second-last game at Love Street before we move to the new stadium so we definitely want to go out on a high so it's one that we will try and win.

"But it is so tight at the bottom and I think it will be tight all the way to the end of the season. I honestly do.

"In the last year or two there has been a team sitting at the bottom but I don't think there is that much between six or seven of the teams.

"It's just about getting results at the right time.

"A few games ago we were down there so going on a run is so important.

"But you always have to try and look up the table to the teams above, it is negative if you look down all the time.

"But we know how difficult it can be and how it can change.

"At the start of the season we looked to improve on our 10th place last season and if we can then it will be a successful season."