ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson was left lamenting the absence of an out-and-out goalscorer after dropping another three points, this time to fellow strugglers Dundee United.

Barry Robson scored the goal in the 1-0 defeat, but MacPherson has refused to be too downhearted about the fact that his side are still awaiting their first win in 2007.

"The one thing I can't fault is the commitment and the effort," he said. "The game was won by a piece of magic.

"That was the difference between the teams - someone who can make something happen out of nothing.

"You normally find these players cost money and they are in short supply.

"We enquired about a few players during the window and it didn't come off.

"We didn't create as much as we would have liked, but in terms of open play I don't think anybody created anything."

Midfielder Stephen O'Donnell made his Saints debut against one of his former clubs and was disappointed not to mark his first appearance for the Love Street side with a goal.

He converted an Ian Maxwell cross before being flagged offside as Saints' luck continues to desert them.

"I was devastated," said O'Donnell. "I don't know whether I was offside. It could have been the dream debut, but you have just got to keep working away. Maybe next week.

"I didn't think there was much between the sides apart from something different from Robson. It was a great strike."