Accies manager Reid was upset by his team's application at McDiarmid Park

Billy Reid lambasted his Hamilton players after a dismal performance in the 2-0 defeat by St Johnstone kept them propping up the league table.

"We never came out the traps. We didn't compete, had no desire. It wasn't good enough," said a grim-faced Reid.

And he added: "You learn about your players in defeat.

"I have learned plenty tonight about a lot of players. When things are not going well you have got to stand up and be counted. I don't think we did that."

Hamilton found the St Johnstone defence difficult to pass, with Michael Duberry and Steven Anderson limiting Accies' chances at breaching Peter Enckelman's goal.

Saints won the match courtesy of goals by Stevie May, one early in each half, but it was the manner of the defeat that riled Reid, who could have seen his team move off the bottom of the table had they won.

"They had more hunger and desire, totally dominated, deserved to win the game and could have won by more," was the manager's assessment of opponents St Johnstone.

"We lost headers at both ends of the park. We have two guys at 6ft 2in up top.

"We have two 6ft 2in defenders and we never won a header. Totally unacceptable."

Among the changes Reid made for the game in Perth were the debuts handed to Ziggy Gordon, former MK Dons player Mark Carrington, James Chambers and Tom Elliott.

"We made six changes," said Reid. "It's a wake-up call for the new players coming in. I think the guys who have come from down south have seen the pace of the game. I had warned them before they went on.

"(Simon) Mensing and (Mark) McLaughlin were out tonight and then David Elebert's pulled out in the warm-up. That is three centre-backs not playing.

"Andy Graham has had to go from right-back to centre-back.

"I realise the problems I've got. We'll stick together and we'll bounce back."

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