ST Mirren manager Alex Rae conceded that some of his squad are crumbling under the pressure after a 3-1 defeat to Queen of the South left Saints rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

A Derek Lyle double and a Stephen Dobbie strike made sure Saints are now five games without a win in the league. In truth it could've been worse for the Buddies as they were carved open at will, particularly in the second half by the Doonhamers.

Rae, who was made fully aware of the frustration felt by the home fans sitting behind the dugout, admits he feels the fans' pain and is keenly aware that blame should lie at his door,

However he was adamant that his experienced players need to stand up and be counted as Saints continue to concede goals that could be avoided.

He said: "We're obviously in a difficult place. We are conceding goals with considerable ease at the moment and it is not the young ones it is the senior ones that are causing problems.

"Unfortunately we are making it very difficult for ourselves.

"We get ourselves an equaliser and then allow them to waltz up the park unopposed and get a tap in.

"It's extremely disappointing. We need to remain positive. When I was at Dundee we started the season exactly the same and we finished the third. We know we can turn it around but I can understand people's frustrations, I'm as frustrated as anyone.

"This has nothing to do with tactics, this is down to individuals who are unfortunately crumbling under a bit of pressure.

"It's hard for me to watch as well at the moment but I'm part of it and I was responsible for bringing these guys in so the blame lies at my door."

Up until Queens went in front in the 12th minute, St Mirren had played some good football and looked on course to deliver the type of performance the manager and fans needed.

Tom Walsh brought Saints level after 41 minutes, but they conceded almost immediately as Lyle doubled his tally.

Saints wouldn't recover and Rae said there was only two players he would give pass marks to.

He added: "I actually thought we popped the ball about well (before the first goal). The we concede and its a body blow. There is a softness about us where we are conceding cheap goals.

"We started the second half reasonably well. Then they go up the pitch from a long kick (for the second goal) and the defending is abysmal.

"There was only two guys I could give pass marks to and that was Lewis Morgan and at least Gary Irvine dug in, the others? Nowhere near it."