ORAN Kearney blasted Simeon Jackson after the striker's missed Panenka penalty proved crucial in their defeat to St Johnstone. 

The Canadian hitman fluffed his lines with his first half-spot kick, failing to beat Zander Clark with the audacious effort. 

The Buddies never recovered from the miss - when the game was finely poised at 0-0 - and their misery was only compounded as Mateo Muzek's weak header gifted Chris Kane the winner. 

READ MORE: Lyons only has eyes for St Mirren

It was a bruising night for the Saints, who remain bottom of the table and welcome relegation rivals Dundee on Saturday. 

Kearney said: “I said to Simeon if it’s the start or the middle of the season, you’re 3-0 up and there’s not a lot at stake then you can take a penalty like that.

“But given the stage of the season and the magnitude of the game, it was the wrong decision to make.

The Gazette: Oran Kearney Oran Kearney

“If he strikes it wide or hits the bar you move on. It’s the manner of the penalty miss more than the miss itself.”

A draw would have lifted St Mirren off the foot of the table but Jackson’s weak penalty got them off to a poor start and they never really recovered.

A disappointing night concluded with Erhahon shown a red card for catching St Johnstone defender Richard Foster with a high tackle.

READ MORE: Kearney insists battle of the Saints won’t decide relegation fate

Kearney added: "I’m very frustrated. We got the start we wanted with the penalty but we’ve created our own downfall by missing it and then gifting them a goal.

“Mateo Muzek made a poor decision to head the ball instead of putting it into the stand.

“That killed the first half for us. The players went into their shells and it took us until half-time to find our feet again. I couldn’t ask any more in the second half but we didn’t create any gilt-edged chances.”

Read all the latest from St Mirren