GARY TEALE has lost four of his five games in charge of St Mirren as he looks to land the job permanently.

But Marc McAusland has urged the club's board to look beyond the results and appoint his team-mate as Tommy Craig's successor.

The Buddies currently sit joint-bottom of the SPFL Premiership with only a better goal difference separating them from relegation rivals Ross County.

It is a sticky situation which continues to be a problem under Teale with losses recorded against Celtic, Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Inverness under his stewardship.

Despite drawing a blank in those games, though, St Mirren have been hard-done-by on more than one occasion, including outplaying Well in a 1-0 reverse, having two ludicrous penalties awarded against them in a 2-1 loss to Killie, while also cracking the bar and running Caley Thistle close in the Highlands on Sunday.

And while McAusland acknowledges St Mirren must start picking up points quickly - just as they did in a 3-1 win at Dens Park two weeks ago - the centre-half is hoping the Buddies board - which includes his dad Bryan who is a director - will recognise the progress on the park when making their appointment for the vacant manager's post.

He told SportTimes: "The boys are backing Tealey all the way, we are playing for him and Davie [Longwell, Teale's assistant].

"I think you can see that in the way we are performing. I know the results don't reflect that, but if you watch the games you can see the boys are working hard and fighting for Gary. It's just been unfortunate.

"The board will have been at the games and they all would have seen that we're playing well.

"Some of the refereeing decisions have been a bit suspect and haven't gone our way, which is a contributing factor to where we are.

"There's nothing we can do about it but we just need to work hard, create our own luck, and help Tealey get the job."

The St Mirren team bus was a quiet place to be as it snaked its way back down the A9 on Sunday night.

The defeat in Inverness symbolised the latest kick in the teeth for the Paisley club who at times have failed to get what they deserve in numerous matches this season.

It also represented a missed opportunity to close the gap on stalling Motherwell, who remain six points above them in 10th place.

McAusland is looking for Lady Luck to shine on them soon.

He said: "A point would have been a fair result, especially considering the way we set up and the way we played.

"We didn't create much in the first half but in the second we had a few chances. Kenny hit the bar and their goalie had a good save from him as well. We're just disappointed to come away with nothing, it's what has been happening this season.

"We've not been getting much luck and have been going down by the odd goal. It now means Ross County are level on points with us, which isn't ideal.

"Even if we had managed to nick a point in Inverness it would have made a difference, especially with Motherwell losing, we had a good opportunity to close the gap. We're ahead on goal difference but at this side of the table that doesn't count for much.

"We're getting no luck and it's costing us, we need to make sure that changes."