Stephen Robinson believes St Mirren can make top six if they manage games better

Stephen Robinson insists St Mirren can still claim a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership but only if they can manage games better.

Goals from Caolan Boyd-Munce and Killian Phillips inside the opening 33 minutes had the Buddies in control at Fir Park.

However, after conceding almost immediately following Phillips’ acrobatic strike, the visitors would have to settle for a point when Callum Slattery levelled in the 71st minute.

The Paisley side would have to see out the final six minutes of normal time and the 14 added on with 10 men, following a second yellow card to Toyosi Olusanya.

They are four points behind Hearts, who currently occupy sixth place, with three games remaining before the split.

“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.”

An injury to Mikael Mandron provided an opportunity for Jonah Ayunga, who had missed the last few weeks with an ankle knock, while Alex Iavocitti made his first start in almost two months.

Neither player was able to see out the 90 minutes and Robinson admits that circumstances forced his hand.

Iavocitti received a yellow card following a nasty three-man collision which led to Boyd-Munce suffering a concussion.

He added: “He got booked in the incident, it’s his first game in a while.

“There were a lot of bodies around it to be fair so it was hard to see what happened.

“Alex was starting to get cramp, as was Jonah, both boys haven’t played regularly for a while.”

Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer was delighted to see Slattery add goals to his game after urging the midfielder to start finding the net.

The former Southampton man has been in fine form since returning from a year-long lay-off with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

After playing a big part as the Steelmen recorded victories over Dundee and Rangers, he was instrumental against St Mirren by netting a brace to earn them an important point.

“I am very happy for Callum especially after his injury,” Wimmer said.

“He has shown good form in the last two games. He understands how the playing style is that I want.

“I said to him ‘you have to be dangerous now to get scoring’ and he did this.

“The result wasn’t just about Callum; it was only possible because the whole team showed great togetherness.”