Stephen Robinson admits he hauled Keanu Baccus off at half-time against Hearts because he feared the Australia international would be the latest Saints star to pick up a red card.
The Buddies have now had three players sent-off in as many matches after Marcus Fraser was given his marching orders in injury time on Saturday afternoon.
Many St Mirren supporters were surprised to see Baccus replaced at the break by playmaker Greg Kiltie with the game still very much in the balance.
But Robinson insists he felt he had no other choice with Baccus walking a tightrope after being booked for simulation, after being deemed to have gone down too easily in the Hearts penalty box.
Robinson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “That’s how the game has become now. A couple of weeks ago we had to take Ethan Erhahon off because the referee had booked him early on.
“At Livingston we didn’t take Mark O’Hara off, we were trying to take him off, and then he got sent-off.
“Keanu got a yellow card with a lot of encouragement from their bench. The referee has been put under a heck of a lot of pressure.
“You have to take these decisions. It wasn’t one I wanted to make, when you have to take one of your best players off.
“But we had a replacement like Greg Kiltie which made it a little bit easier at least.”
Hearts went on to rescue a point at the SMiSA Stadium thanks to Robert Snodgrass’ cross that bamboozled everyone before nestling into the far corner.
Robinson believes his side could and should have picked up another impressive home win, had they only capitalised on more of their multiple first-half chances.
He said: “We’re disappointed not to have all three points. The game should have been won in the first half.
“We were terrific and took the game to them, pressed them really well and showed great quality at times.
“We scored one and probably should have had another two and it wouldn’t have been unjustified.
“We started the second half well again but then started to drop off and that created spaces between the lines.
“Having said that they had one cross into the box and one header throughout the game. We were quite happy for them to have possession and we hit them brilliantly on the break.
“They’ve had one cross into the box and a header but their goal is a freak goal. There’s not a lot you can do about it as it sails all the way in. [Trevor] Carson couldn’t come for it in case someone gets a touch on it and it happens. But if that’s their only threat then that’s credit to my players.
“It was just our end decision-making in the final third, as has been the case in the last couple of weeks. We had two three vs two situations and need to make better decisions but didn’t. So ultimately we come away with a point and feeling disappointed.
“It shows we’ve come a long way when we’re disappointed not to beat a team of that calibre with the money they’ve spent and the resources they have.”
While paying tribute to all his players, Robinson gave a specific mention to striker Alex Greive who has only just returned from New Zealand following the passing of his father.
He added: “Alex has been terrific for what that boy has been through. His attitude and energy epitomises everything about the football club.
“He’ll get us goals. If you work that hard you’ll get a little slice of luck. The harder you work the luckier you get.”
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