ST MIRREN manager Stephen Robinson is backing his players to "defy the odds" by securing a top-six place in the cinch Premiership this weekend.

The Buddies haven't finished in the top half of Scotland's top flight since the split was introduced at the start of the century.

They had the chance to change that by securing a positive result at Ibrox on Saturday but, despite a brave performance, were on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline.

In an eventful clash, visiting goalkeeper Trevor Carson saved an early James Tavernier penalty but the Rangers captain set up Todd Cantwell to open the scoring in the 26th minute from close range.

Saints midfielder Mark O'Hara levelled in added time at the end of the first half but Light Blues attacker Fashion Sakala restored the home side's lead soon after the break, only for O'Hara to equalise again in the 65th minute with a strike from the edge of the box.

However, a late double from Alfredo Morelos effectively sealed the points before former Norwich player Cantwell slipped in substitute Scott Arfield to grab a fifth goal and add more gloss to the scoreline.

Saints now face Kilmarnock at home this weekend in their final fixture before the split and are currently in fifth place with 44 points – one ahead of Hibernian and two clear of Livingston.

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Robinson said: "With 15 minutes remaining at Ibrox, with a point in your hand at 2-2, we are disappointed in the outcome.

"We are an honest group and I don't think we had enough players playing at eight, nine or 10 (out of 10) to get a result, albeit we were in a position to.

"We go into the game (against Kilmarnock) trying to win it. We are confident we can get three points and this group of players have defied the odds."

Robinson has stressed to his players that reaching the top six remains in their own hands and is also well aware how important that target is for a club which has been struggling to balance the books in recent times.

He added: "If I said last year, in July, that we would have a home game against Kilmarnock needing a point to be in the top six, everybody would have taken it.

"There is no structure in place at the moment for us to be a top-six side but we are trying to change that and getting into the top six will go a long way financially to be able to do that."