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can get a good result. We need to make sure we don’t let them take anything.”

The McDiarmid Park squad exited the Betfred Cup during the week, shipping three goals without reply on home turf against Partick Thistle.

Spurning chances was again an issue for Saints and Alston said:“It’s been a problem we’ve faced a couple of times where we’ve had opportunities and a lot of the ball.

“We’ve not been able to take the lead. If we go one up in that game, I think it would have been a different outcome.

“It’s disappointing that we couldn’t take our chances. And then you give away poor goals and the game turns on its head.

“It’s one of those in the cup where you don’t get the chance to put it right, which is disappointing.

“We need to learn from the game, make sure we don’t perform like that again and now get ready for Saturday.

“We would much rather have had a cup run but sometimes these things can work out better for you.

“It would be good to win on Saturday, put the result behind us, and kick on in the league.”

Meanwhile, Saints will host their second annual Family Fun Day on Saturday afternoon.

The Perth club will be holding the event on the All Weather Pitch, opposite the front entrance of the stadium.

The event, which begins at 1pm, will feature bubble football, football darts, table football, a bouncy castle, face painters and a target goal.

Families will also be able to watch football freestyler Chris Draper perform as well as take part in the HotShot Challenge, to see which Saints supporter can hit the hardest shot.

Entry to the Family Fun Day is free, and vouchers will be distributed for a 2017/18 team poster, which can be redeemed inside each stand at the game.

Family tickets for the match against Motherwell will be available for £16 for one adult and up to two children aged 12 or under for the Ormond Stand.