ST MIRREN manager Stephen Robinson reckons his players' progress this season can be measured by the fact they were disappointed to be held to a draw by Hearts on Saturday.
The Buddies had carved out a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Joe Shaughnessy and Ryan Strain.
However, Hearts earned a point as Josh Ginnelly and Lawrence Shankland found the net in the second half.
Shankland's equaliser from the penalty spot came deep into stoppage time, with the visitors down to 10 men at that stage, after a red card for Peter Haring.
The draw severely dents St Mirren's chances of qualifying for Europe but Robinson believes a sense of perspective is needed.
He said: "It feels like a defeat but when we're disappointed with a point against Hearts, it tells you how far St Mirren have come.
"The circumstances, with the game practically done, make it hard to take but I'll get round the boys and we'll speak to them.
"There are lessons to be learned for everyone but, ultimately, we should've seen the game out."
Robinson also admitted his team would have had the three points in the bag if they had taken some of the other chances they created during spells when they were on top.
He said: "We were 30 seconds from being a point behind Hibs and Hearts. It's a huge blow for us and a huge disappointment for us.
"The first half, we were excellent. We took the game to Hearts and we said at half-time 'go after the game' but we didn't stop the cross for the first goal and we made a poor decision for the penalty.
"We had enough chances to win the game by five or six.
"Our decision-making on the break wasn't great but it's not one person's fault. It's not a blame game. Collectively, we made poor decisions.
"We played with a little bit of fear in the second half.
"We were so close to the points but we took a step back instead of a step forward and we got massively punished for that."
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