St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright felt his side had their “backsides spanked” as they lost 2-0 against new league leaders Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Saints approached the game in confident frame of mind on an eight-match unbeaten run but they went behind to an early goal from David Goodwillie in the New Year’s Day clash.
The Dons then created a whole host of opportunities but were denied again and again by inspired Saints keeper Alan Mannus.
However, Derek McInnes’s side finally sealed all three points deep in injury time with a breakaway second goal by Cameron Smith.
Wright said: “I thought we made it easy for them. We didn’t play particularly well which was the disappointing thing. When you give a side like that a foothold in the game…they can be very good and they were.
“I was pleased that we kept it to 1-0 for as long as we did and genuinely thought we could sneak a point.
“Obviously, it wouldn’t have been deserved but we were still in the game. We committed everybody forward at the end to try and get something and they get the second goal.
“I don’t think 2-0 was a true reflection of the game overall. I will not be too hard on the players.
“We were on a great run and are still in the top six.
He added: “We will bounce back and get another run going. If you don’t play well, you get your backsides spanked and that’s what we did. Alan Mannus was outstanding but I would have liked him to have had a quieter day.”