Despite a slow start to the 2012–13 season after many changes to the squad – 12 players were out of contract during the summer – St Johnstone had an excellent September, drawing with Dundee United and winning the next four matches, the first against Celtic, ending Ross County's 40 game unbeaten run and beating rivals Dundee, as well as reaching the quarter finals of the Scottish League Cup. On 4 October 2012, Lomas was named SPL Manager of the month, the first time a St Johnstone manager had won the award.[19] On beating the Manager of the Month "curse" in October to record 5th and 6th straight wins against St Mirren and Kilmarnock, Steve Lomas achieved the best run of results at St Johnstone since 1971,[20] reaching 2nd place in the SPL table behind Celtic.[21]