St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has insisted that St Mirren can still claim a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership despite blowing a winning opportunity at Motherwell.
Robinson’s side surged into a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals by Caolan Boyd-Munce and Killian Phillips but were unable to hold onto their advantage as the home side battled back to claim a 2-2 draw.
The result left St Mirren eighth in the standings, four points behind sixth-placed Hearts with three games remaining before the league splits into two sections.
Saints are now rated as 11/2 shots on football betting sites to claim a top-six place, but Robinson believes they are capable of upsetting the odds.
“The top six is still there but if we don’t win games when we are 2-0 up, we won’t be in the top six,” Robinson said.
“We go 2-0 up and we’re in total control. We don’t manage the next five minutes well at all and don’t clear the ball for the second goal.
“I don’t think Motherwell had a corner, they didn’t hurt us in any shape or form.”
Callum Slattery’s brace ultimately scuppered the Paisley side’s hopes of victory and the result could have been worse but for some determined defending towards the end of the game.
They were forced to play the final six minutes of normal time and the 14 added on with 10 men after striker Toyosi Olusanya was dismissed.
Olusanya caused Motherwell’s defence endless problems with his energetic style, but was red carded by referee Grant Irvine after clattering into Dan Casey.
Robinson was left to reflect on what might have been, and admitted the game was ‘an opportunity wasted’ as the season hurtles towards a pivotal point.
"Motherwell had two shots the whole game and scored both, had no corners, we didn't feel they were any threat whatsoever but managing the game has been a problem for us,” Robinson added.
"I'm a million miles away from that decision (to send off Olusanya) - it looked to me like it was just a coming together of two people running at pace.
"We showed great character and were the better team even when down to ten men, as we were all day."
While Robinson remains bullish about St Mirren’s chances of claiming a top-six finish, his attacking resources are gradually being eroded.
An injury to Mikael Mandron handed an opportunity for Jonah Ayunga, who had missed the last few weeks with an ankle knock, but he did not complete the game.
Olusanya will also be suspended after his dismissal, further adding to Robinson’s selections problems for the upcoming crucial run of games.
However, the Saints manager’s confidence about his team’s chances of finishing in the top six is being driven by what looks to be a favourable fixture list.
St Mirren face Kilmarnock (H), Dundee (A) and Ross County (H) in their next three games and they will fancy their chances of picking up nine points.
Each of their opponents are currently below them in the Scottish Premiership table, which gives Robinson’s side a golden opportunity to climb the standings.
By contrast, Hearts face a difficult trip to reigning champions Celtic, before rounding off the first phase with tough games against Dundee United (H) and Motherwell (A).
With Motherwell also facing tricky tests at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for St Mirren to sneak into the top six.
The fixture list undoubtedly creates a window of opportunity for St Mirren, but Robinson insists there is no pressure on his players as they chase a third successive top-half finish.
Saints were one of the favourites to be relegated at the start of the season, and the manager is happy that his team has continued to defy expectations.
"Our goal every season should be to stay in the Premiership - that should be our top goal, and success is staying in the Premiership," Robinson said.
"Nothing has changed because we've got two top-sixes in a row. People have to remember it was 40 years before that happened, and we've done it twice in a row.
"Doing that more often than the 40-year period is the long-term aim of the football club of course, so we're under no pressure.
"The teams that put the millions into the club and have big individual backers are under the biggest pressure. We can go and enjoy the games, enjoy playing the way we do.
“We'll play with everything and give absolutely everything to make sure we are a top-six side three years in a row, but we can play without fear - we're not the ones under pressure."