ST MIRREN defender Sean Kelly insists the Buddies are not scared of playing in front of their own fans.

Tommy Craig's side host bottom club Ross County today having lost all five of the Premiership matches they have played in Paisley this season.

Their supporters have also been starved of goals to cheer, with Kenny McLean's strike in the 2-1 loss to Celtic last month the only time they have found the back of the net at St Mirren Park.

But Kelly says it is their opponents' tactics and not the pressure of playing in their own stadium which has hampered Saints.

The Scotland Under-21 left back said: "Obviously we need to improve but it's not yet at the stage where this run is worrying us.

"Hopefully we will get the result we need against Ross County because it is a big game. If we get that, we will kick on from there. But we need to go out and get it.

"Everyone is together here - the players, manager and supporters. We all have a common goal, which is to win games.

"Once we get that first home victory, it will lift the burden for us.

"All our points so far have come from away games but that has nothing to do with our fans, the stadium or any pressure of playing at home. It's just a coincidence.

"Some teams find it easier playing away but that's not the case here. We prefer to play at home because you have your own fans backing you. They give you the extra energy to keep going.

"But when other teams come here they always make it tough and it's up to us to break them down."

Saints boss Craig ordered his players to take extra shooting practice this week ahead of today's pivotal clash with County.

The Buddies are three points ahead of the bottom club but, after just 10 games, Kelly is not dubbing the match a relegation battle.

He said: "It's far too early to be talking about that. We know we need to improve defensively and in attack. We've not scored enough or kept enough clean sheets.

"That's not a good recipe but we believe in what we are doing. Hopefully things will come good."