Rangers had most of the possession and the best of the chances but could not find the back of the net in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Love Street.

Instead, Saints were able to snatch all three points when Stephen McGinn came off the bench to grab the winner with their only shot on target in the entire game.

"We just look at our own team more than anything else," said Smith.

"That was St Mirren's first attempt on goal and we created a few and didn't manage to score so it was frustrating from that point of view.

"We had the greater possession in the match but we didn't really create that many clear-cut opportunities.

"In fairness, St Mirren set their stall out well and worked very hard to prevent us from doing that.

"Throughout the match, we struggled in that respect and it was only in the latter stages when we applied a lot of forceful pressure that we looked as though we were going to get a goal or two.

"On another day, we might have got that. But we didn't."

Smith sprung a surprise ahead of the game by reinstating Allan McGregor between the sticks despite impressive performances from Neil Alexander in the three games since the regular first choice goalkeeper was axed.

"It was a hard decision because Neil's not done anything wrong in the games he has had," said Smith.

"It was maybe a little unfair pitching Allan McGregor into the team straight away after being out for a number of months at the start of the season.

"Possibly he wasn't at his sharpest when he was playing but he is now, he has had three weeks intensive training.

"He's back now and for the way he played last season, he deserves the opportunity to get back in again.

"But it is hard on Neil who has played extremely well, not just in the games recently but at the end of the season as well.

"We are in a position where we have two good goalkeepers and there is a level of competition there."

Rangers could have snatched a draw at the death when former Saint Kirk Broadfoot went to ground under pressure from Will Haining but his furious pleas were ignored by referee William Collum.

"There were so many players in the box that I couldn't see what was going on," admitted Smith. "There was a lot happening in the penalty area at that time."

Saints boss Gus MacPherson refuted any suggestions that Rangers had been robbed of a point, insisting: "I've seen Mr Broadfoot going down like that on many an occasion in a black and white jersey!

"Whether there was contact or not I don't know but there was a reaction."

MacPherson has claimed that Saints have suffered at the hands of referees in the past but admitted today's official deserved pass-marks for his performance.

He added: "Referees are quick to tell you that they even themselves out over the course of a season but, when they go against you, you find that difficult to take.

"Today was an easy game to referee and it was refereed sensibly. There were a couple of incidents that could maybe have got out of hand but they were dealt with properly."

Meanwhile, Kevin Thomson has been rated a major doubt for Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Norway on Saturday after being carried off with an ankle injury.