Callum Davidson admits lessons need to be learned quickly after St Johnstone stumbled to a 2-2 draw at Palmerston.
The Perth side needed to scrap back from behind on two occasions before losing the penalty shootout bonus to Queen of the South. It all but signals Saints’ exit from the competition.
Davidson, who thought the first half performance was the poorest during his time in charge, said: “From the first minute I asked them to compete, you have to do that when you come here.
“You have to do the nasty side of the game. We gave them a really poor first goal and they get a foothold in the game. At that point we were not good enough.
“I asked them to play forward, be positive, and go and take people on and try to create and score goals.
“For me we didn’t do that. The first half was probably the poorest since I have been here.”
Davidson, as well as wanting more from his players - some who were “miles off it” - said there was a need for some personal reflection.
He continued: “It wasn’t good enough. They need to take a look at themselves and I need to take a look at myself.
“I need to see what I am doing and make sure it is right. We have had two draws and ultimately lost on penalties.
“We have lost a couple of points that would have given us the opportunity to go through.
“Lessons have to be learned very quickly because when we move up levels we can’t give teams opportunities like that.”
Jamie Murphy netted both of Saints’ goals and his contribution was one of the only positives.
“Jamie came on and he was actually the only person who I can give pass marks to,” Davidson said.
“I thought he was excellent and epitomised what I want when he got on the ball.
“He drove forward and tried to create things. If it wasn’t for him we would not have got back in the game.”
Ali Crawford picked up a hamstring problem and “will be out for a while”.
