The Steelmen bounced back from Taylor Steven’s opener against the run of play to lead through goals from the impressive Ibrahim Said and Tawanda Maswanhise.

But Johansson was denied a much-needed win when Josh Campbell rose unchallenged in a crowded penalty box to head home a cross from fellow substitute Logan Chalmers in the closing seconds.

The draw ended a six-match losing streak for Motherwell but there were angry scenes in the changing room.

“There was fire going on in there,” the Swede said. “A lot of people talking to each other, people shouting and people angry. That’s the first time I have seen that in that way.

“I see that as such a positive sign because the best teams hold themselves first and then their team-mates accountable. That’s how it has to be in a senior team, it was good to feel that fire from the players.

“You need to be able to show emotion, it’s part of developing the mentality of the group.  If everyone is just protecting themselves, it’s not possible.

“When you bring 11 new players in and 11 out, you have that big change, you build a group from scratch.

“When you are then also becoming younger and some of the senior players that should be there and lead that process are not playing and training, it takes a longer time. So that was important.”

Said was Motherwell’s best player in the hour he was on but Johansson replaced him with Regan Charles-Cook to avoid a second yellow card for the Nigerian midfielder.

“Ibi was doing fantastic,” Johansson said. “He got himself way too involved in too many situations, and he picked up that yellow card.

“From there on, I felt the referee and St Johnstone had the spotlights on him. When we went 2-1 up, we felt it was the right thing to take him off.”

Saints manager Simo Valakari enjoyed more success with his substitutes.

“It was so pleasing that all the players who came on had a huge impact,” he said.

“That’s modern football – you can change half of your outfield players.

“Danny Schmidt came out there fighting. Josh Campbell hasn’t had the easiest start but he brought energy and scored a great goal. Joel Cotterill gave us energy in the midfield as well. Logan Chalmers showed unbelievable quality with the ball, and produced a wonderful cross for the goal.”