ST MIRREN 2 SPARTANS 2

Seething Stubbs blasts Saints as Lowland League club pay penalty

ANGRY Alan Stubbs dubbed St Mirren’s display against minnows Spartans “unacceptable” after watching them scrape to a Betfred Cup bonus point on penalties.

The new Buddies boss was looking to make a statement on his first home outing since being appointed this summer.

But his side fell behind to the Lowland League champions as Jason Stevens’ controversial early opener was followed up by a Scott Maxwell strike.

Stubbs threw on rested skipper Stephen McGinn and he led the fightback, scoring Saints’ first goal before Danny Mullen sealed a 2-2 draw with a late penalty.

That sent the game to the shoot-out, where Blair Atkinson’s wild miss gave St Mirren their second-straight spotkick success.

But Stubbs was not happy and admitted he would have to up his search for a new striker.

The Englishman – who refused to discuss links to Celtic youngster Mikey Johnston and his former Hibs frontman Anthony Stokes – said: “It was a frustrating night.

“The way we approached the game in the first half was not what I wanted and I have to be honest, it took the introduction of Stephen McGinn to really spark us into life. “For me, that is not acceptable. “Whether the first goal was offside or not is not my main concern. What is my concern was that the players didn’t set standards that I expect of them at this football club and it won’t be accepted.”