Dundee manager Paul Hartley made no excuses after watching his side tumble out of the Scottish Cup at home to the Championship’s bottom club St Mirren.
Saints defied their lowly league position by defeating Dundee 2-0 in the fourth-round clash at Dens Park thanks to goals from striker John Sutton and defender Jack Baird.
“It was a totally unacceptable performance,” Hartley said. “We didn’t see it coming, to be honest.
“It was the same team which beat St Johnstone before the winter break.
“So to go out at the first hurdle is hugely disappointing for everyone.
“We all wanted a good cup run but St Mirren were the better team on the day.
“It was a team of individuals, from our point of view.
“We can’t use the winter break as an excuse because we had trained well all week and looked sharp.”
St Mirren manager Jack Ross saluted his players for their shock victory on Tayside.
“I hope they take enormous belief from this,” Ross said. “When you’re written off, it should drive you on to prove people wrong.
“I’ve always believed in the core of the players. We’ve come here and beaten a Premiership team who’ve been in good form.
“It’s not as though we were hanging on at the end, so hopefully it can act as a catalyst.
“It was a good overall performance and the players deserved it.”
