FURIOUS St Mirren boss Gary Teale labelled his side's performance "awful" after they fell to a 2-0 defeat to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

The result, which came through goals from Brian Graham and Steven Anderson, leaves St Mirren four points adrift of Motherwell at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table with eight games to play.

The visitors struggled to create chances throughout the match and Teale refused to make excuses for his players' display.

"We were awful and I have let my feelings be known," he said.

"We were out-fought and out-battled. Whatever way you want to look at it we just didn't compete.

"I had taken positives over the last number of weeks but here it looked like St Johnstone wanted it more and for one of my teams I am extremely disappointed, because that shouldn't be the case.

"I was disappointed all round. The goals we conceded were extremely soft. For the first one Graham can bring the ball down in the box, take a touch and put it in. We have got to be tighter and closer. The second goal we lost from a set-piece.

"We didn't really offer much. In previous games we hadn't been taking chances but here we didn't really create anything. They had maybe two saves but at that time the game was probably done.

"It definitely was one of the worst performances since I took over. I think I am always fairly honest in my assessment. I have praised the boys every week and tried to take pressure off them but while I take responsibility as manager for everything, this performance just wasn't good enough.

"Self-pride should be a motivating factor because we are sitting bottom of the league. We have got to stand up and be counted. It is time to take responsibility now.

"For one reason or another it didn't happen here but we can't feel sorry for ourselves, we need to move on and try to put it right."

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright paid tribute to the performances of Graham and David Wotherspoon after watching his side move up to fifth in the table.

On-loan striker Graham scored the opening goal, which was set up by Wotherspoon - who also created the second for Anderson in what proved to be a comfortable home victory.

"I was pleased that Brian has come back and got the goal," said Wright.

"He has had a few chances and he gets into good positions. It was a decent ball in from David Wotherspoon and Jim Goodwin just missed it - he was inches away from heading it clear - and the ball just dropped at Brian's feet. He stayed calm and stuck it away.

"He was unlucky with the one that hits the post, then he maybe should have done better with the header in the second half but overall he has had a good day and I am really pleased with his contribution.

"I am pleased with David Wotherspoon and have been since I brought him to the club. He is a wonderful footballer. It was a great ball for Brian's goal and a great delivery for Steven Anderson's goal as well.

"The win has put us up to fifth and it was just what we needed."