ST MIRREN manager Alex Rae has urged his team to cut out the individual mistakes which continue to cost his side goals.

Saints won 4-3 after extra-time against League One Albion Rovers in the Irn-Bru Cup on Saturday.

But the manager was far from pleased with a lot of what he saw from his team, particularly as they conceded three goals from set-pieces, an area Rae and assistant David Farrell had spent time preparing with the players prior to the match.

He said: “We’re pleased to get through. We shipped a couple of goals which were really disappointing. We highlighted that Michael Dunlop spins round the back post at set pieces and we just don’t mark properly. It’s individual mistakes that are killing us at the moment.

“We managed to get three goals then we allow them another free-kick that we don’t deal with. We are diligent in what we do and we tell the people who are marking them that was going to be their game play. So when he gets a free header you think this isn’t about tactics it is about players taking responsibility.

“Unfortunately we have too many players right now who are not doing that and that is why it has become so difficult.”

Rae knows Saints will have to improve in Saturday’s league game against Queen of the South. St Mirren are still searching for their first league win of the season and Queens are in good form.

He wants the team to take inspiration from the fans at Cliftonhill, who stayed behind the team.

He added: “We need to show spirit. As we’re coming off there’s a lot of our fans clapping us, we need to take the lead from that."