Buddies must learn quickly, warns manager Danny Lennon

Lennon and assistant manager Iain Jenkins discuss tactics at Tynecastle

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon says his players must be smarter if they are to win points to get them off the foot of the Scottish Premier League.

"Morale is very low just now. I couldn't ask any more of these boys in what they give on a weekly basis," said Lennon after the 3-0 defeat at Hearts.

"But we have to be a bit more intelligent to play at this level.

"You've got to be more resilient, get out the traps well and be difficult to beat and we are certainly not that."

Rudi Skacel scored a hat-trick at Tynecastle, his first goal coming after only 75 seconds, rounding off a swift move by Suso Santana and striker Kevin Kyle.

That early goal wreaked havoc with Lennon's tactics.

"We got off to a horrible start again. It's very frustrating but you know you just have to get on with it," he told BBC Scotland.

"Coming here you try to get the fans against them because their home record has not been terrific this season.

"But the game plan goes against you because you are trying to go and press them and make it difficult."

The result means St Mirren stay at the bottom of the SPL, with five points from nine games.

Fortunately for the Paisley side, they have not been cast adrift in the league: they are within three points or fewer of Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Hamilton.

St Mirren's next two league matches are at home, against Aberdeen and Rangers.