St. Johnstone's 16-year-old stay in the Scottish top flight came to a dramatic end when Ronan Hale's controversial stop-time penalty for Ross County sealed their relegation in Dens Park.
On the way to Harten in Tynecastle, the Perth side still had the chance to struggle to survive to the last day after the news realized that Scott Tiffoney Dundee had put against the province after 55 minutes.
However, after Saints had already fallen 2-1 in Gorgie, Hale's Late Spot-Kick insured a 1-1 draw for Don Cowie's side, leaving them four points for the McDiarmid Park-Club with one match.
Dundee seemed to have sealed their survival and was furious with the award of the punishment for a handball against Antonio Portales.
Now they are fighting with the province to prevent the Premiership play-off, where the Highlanders have to beat Motherwell at home on Sunday and hope that the dark blues lose away from St. Johnstone.
Heartbroken Saints Baas Valakari said his team had no apologies and that he expects to lead their fightback in the championship next season.
'It was not nearly enough because the table is not lying. It really hurts, “he told BBC Scotland.
'We cry tonight and tomorrow, but always look forward to it. This season is history. We have to change things and bring this wonderful club back to winning ways.
'It's hard to play in relegation battles, but it's even more difficult to play for promotion. That is what our goal is and that is what we start to do the day after tomorrow.
'It is a big, big job and will require a lot of effort every day.
“We can't have it free. We have already started with us, but we wanted to fight to stay in premiership. No apologies, we were not good enough.
'Numerous things have to change – some big, some small. It is more how you maintain this level and effort at every competition. Our weaknesses have been too great. '
Asked if he expected to lead St. Johnstone next season, the Finn said: 'Things should change and we will start this change. We can no longer do this, flirt for three or four years with relegation. It must become successful and more stable again.
“I don't have to make decisions. I want to stay. I want to rebuild this club and be successful with this club. '