Following his side’s four-point win over St Kilda on Saturday night, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson exclaimed that the better side had lost the game.

Many of the statistics would validate Clarkson’s comments: the Saints had more disposals (382-354), more inside 50s (51-44), more contested possessions (156-135) and one more shot at goal than the Hawks.

But, despite never gaining any true momentum throughout the game, the Hawks were able to grind out an all-important win thanks to a few key areas of their game.

Watch: The last two minutes of the Hawks' win

The Hawks’ last goal of the game came at the 23-minute mark of the third term through Luke Breust’s second of the night.

The ensuing fourth quarter was just the second goalless fourth term of the Hawks’ season alongside Round 17 against the Brisbane Lions.

A scoring drought such as this would suggest an opposition side would be able to run over the top of the Hawks, as the Lions were able to do earlier this year, but this was not the case on Saturday night.

Hawthorn conceded just two St Kilda goals following Breust’s major and none beyond the opening minute of the fourth term.

Clarkson’s side also found themselves in a battle to wrench their way back into a midfield battle that quickly got out of hand in the opening half.

The Hawks entered the main break well down on the clearance count (17-28) and contested possessions (65-80).

But, led by Liam Shiels (who finished with seven clearances) and Tom Mitchell (six), the Hawks were able to square the ledger at 40 clearances apiece after the Hawks dominated the inside work throughout the third and fourth terms.

It certainly wasn’t the Hawks’ most impressive performance of the season.

But, on a night where neither side was able to grasp control of the game, winning ugly was enough for the finals-bound Hawks.