ST MIRREN manager Stephen Robinson tonight stated he was proud of his players’ performance against Aberdeen - despite an injury-time penalty denying them victory and top spot in the cinch Premiership.
The Paisley club were bidding to win their first three top flight games for the first time since 1948 and leapfrog Rangers, Motherwell and Celtic in the table at the SMISA Stadium this afternoon - and looked set to do so.
However, they conceded a spot kick in the 10th minute of added-on time at the end of the game when Alex Gogic handled a Leighton Clarkson shot inside his own area and Bojan Miovski converted from 12 yards.
Robinson, who declined to discuss the four VAR decision which went against his men during the course of the 2-2 draw, felt that St Mirren had made Aberdeen look “average” and expressed confidence they will continue to do well if their can replicate their display.
"I thought we dominated the game from start to finish,” he said. “We created all of the chances and luck didn't go our way with certain things. All I can ask for is that level of quality and I got that.
“Some of the football we played and the quality of the chances we created were a credit to that group of players. I would rather talk about them than about decisions or things that went against us.
“I'm very proud of them. They feel that they should have another two points but ultimately we don't. If we play like that, as we have done for the last seven games, we'll be fine.”
Robinson added: "Aberdeen are a very good side, make no mistake about that. They are doing very well in Europe, but we made them look average because of our performance.
“Our quality was outstanding. All I can say to the boys is to keep going as we are heading in the right direction."
Robinson declined to criticise his goalkeeper or defenders for failing to deal with the Hayes free-kick - and refused to say whether he thought Miovski had mande a double connection with the injury-time penalty.
Asked about the opener, he said: “It was a difficult one to take. A ball goes straight in. It happens, you see it all the time. It’s a great delivery from Jonny Hayes into an area that tests everybody.
"But there was no ranting and raving. We knew we were playing very well and creating chances. We just had to continue to do that and this side don’t know when to give up. There’s a real energy and belief in what we do.”
Asked about the spot kick, he said: “You’re always going to have that throughout games and these things happen sometimes. It didn’t go our way.
"It would be wrong for me to make a comment as it wouldn’t be an educated comment as I’ve not seen it from any great angle.”
