St Mirren 0-1 Kilmarnock: Jim Goodwin insists no 'panic' after fifth straight loss

Jim Goodwin insists there should be no "panic" over bottom side St Mirren's losing run but accepts the need to improve results "pretty quickly".

Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock was a fifth straight loss for the Buddies as they sunk to the foot of the table.

Nicke Kabamba scored the only goal in Paisley as Killie moved up to fifth.

"It's a disappointing run that we're on but I've got every confidence that we will turn it around," Goodwin told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"And we need to start turning it around pretty quickly. Once we get our best XI on the park, I believe that we'll turn a corner.

"I don't think it's a time for panic. You can see how tight the league is. There's plenty of time left."

• Reaction & as it happened

• How did the players rate?

Joe Shaughnessy came close to giving St Mirren the lead when his header from Ilkay Durmus' corner clipped the top of the crossbar.

But Killie gradually took control of possession and Chris Burke exchanged passes with Alan Power before laying on an enticing low ball for Kabamba to finish.

It was a similar move that led to Greg Kiltie's effort in the second half as he received Ross Millen's pass and curled in a goal-bound shot that forced Jak Alnwick to save on his return to the starting line-up following a positive Covid-19 test.

Marcus Fraser, moved from right to left-back in suspended Richard Tait's absence, was booked for catching Millen with a high challenge that left the Killie right-back in need of treatment.

Shaughnessy and Kirk Broadfoot came together in the Kilmarnock box but St Mirren's penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

And Junior Morias was unable to connect with fellow Buddies substitute Dylan Connolly's cross in added time.

Man of the match - Nicke Kabamba

It was a team effort from Killie but Kabamba led the line well and got the all important goal

What did we learn?

Kilmarnock may have taken a while to get going this season but their experienced campaigners have really come to the fore with Burke in particular having an impressive season.

Power's return in centre midfield is a welcome boost for manager Alex Dyer and Eamonn Brophy's absence through suspension was not the headache it could have been, thanks to Kabamba's continued form in front of goal.

Goals continue to be a problem for St Mirren with only five registered so far in this campaign and Jim Goodwin's side have not scored more than once in a game during that period.

Injury has restricted summer signing forward Kristian Dennis to just three appearances and the Paisley outfit are in real need of his kind of goalscoring prowess, with more than 100 to his name.

What did they say?

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "Back foot in the first half. We didn't get close enough to Kilmarnock, we sat far too deep and we didn't get in their faces enough. The goal from our point of view is really disappointing.

"Second half, we were better. We just didn't do enough. We didn't create enough clear cut chances. We have to do better at those key moments. I've got great belief in this group that I've put together."

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer: "We were in control, we managed the game well, we got out goal and we passed the ball very well. We were in control from start to finish, to be honest.

"The game plan is to come here and try and win whatever way we can. We've been passing the ball well this season whether we've got good results or not and we believe in what we do, so the main thing is to carry on doing that and hopefully the results will come and in the last couple of games they have."

What's next?

Both sides next play on Friday evening with St Mirren visiting Aberdeen and Kilmarnock at home to Motherwell.