Canning rues missed chances as Scougall strike sinks Accies
Martin Canning admitted Hamilton Accies only had themselves to blame after their six-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.
Canning's men dominated the first half but a mixture of wayward finishing and a costly mix-up in the second half, which allowed Stefan Scougall to score, saw them slip to ninth in the Scottish Premiership.
“We only have ourselves to blame that we lost that game,” said Canning.
“I think a combination of poor finishing and a poor mistake is the reason we have lost it.
“We should have been out of sight in the first half. We could have been two up at half time and the game is done. But St Johnstone stick in and do well.
“It's one of those days. We just need to dust ourselves down and go again.”
The pivotal moment came on 66 minutes when Scott McMann and Dougie Imrie failed to deal with Alston's through-ball, leaving it for each other.
That allowed Scougall to capitalise and sweep the ball past goalkeeper Gary Woods for his first Saints' goal.
Canning added: “It's a mistake. I think the communication is there. I think Scott has shouted for it and Dougie has pulled away from it and Scott has left it for Dougie.
“It is a misunderstanding. It happens. Unfortunately on the day it has cost us a goal.”
Tommy Wright felt Saints were more like themselves after being on a run which had seen them pick up just one win in eight games.
He said: “I think, when we've been on the run we've been on and we lose last week when we're expected to win, it was a massive game for us.
“People look ahead to what fixtures we've got coming up. We're probably looking at it thinking 'when are we going to put a run together?'
“But we've got a good three points from a difficult place to come against a pretty good side.
“It was more like us and I've got to be pleased with a clean sheet away from home.”