Goodwin needs his men to be more clinical
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin admitted his team are paying the price for being unable to hit the net.
It’s a problem that led to the Buddies missing out on a top-six spot last season.
They still haven’t completely rectified the situation – every team about them in seventh spot, apart from Dundee United, have scored more goals in league matches.
The lack of a killer instinct cost them dearly against Hearts yesterday.
Saints created a number of openings before the break but didn’t convert, allowing the home side to up their performance and seal a win.
Goodwin said: “I’m not saying we were miles better, but I thought we were on top for the first 45 minutes.
“We pressed Hearts aggressively up the pitch, played some good football and probably had the better opportunities.
“Those key moments in the games are really coming back to bite us.
“Last week we went 1-0 up against Livingston and should have been two or three up.
“Then we got caught out with a sucker punch in the last minute to draw that game.
“It would be a lot easier for me to take if I felt Hearts had completely dominated the game.
“Then you hold your hands up and say the better team won, but I genuinely feel a draw would have been fair over the scheme of things.
“Ultimately, you have to put the ball in the net to win games and we haven’t done that — that’s why Hearts won the game.”
Saints did have the ball in the net through Richard Tait, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Goodwin said: “You would like it to go in your favour, but if the linesman has got it right then fair play to him – it’s a hell of a call.
“I thought it was a great ball, a good run and a fantastic finish as well.
“We don’t seem to get those decisions at the moment.”
The Irishman was disappointed to see Joe Shaughnessy ordered off, especially as he is already missing defender Conor McCarthy because of injury and Scott Tanser was crocked yeterday.
He went on: “I can see why Alan Muir’s come to that decision.
“Joe was last man and there is a bit of grappling on the edge of the box.
“You could argue if the Hearts player gets away then he has a free hit at goal but it’s the 95th minute when Hearts are 2-0 up and the game is done.
“I don’t think anybody would have minded if the referee had turned a blind eye to that one.”