THE USE of fringe players was defended by the St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes after an unfamiliar-looking line-up surrendered an unbeaten home record stretching back almost a year on Tuesday night.

McInnes made no effort to hide his disappointment at losing to Clyde, but said the men drafted in to freshen up his side should have been able to cope with first-team demands.

The manager gambled by leaving top-team stars such as Andy Jackson, Peter MacDonald and Jody Morris out of the starting 11, while injuries to Rocco Quinn, Goran Stanic and others left the squad looking decidedly threadbare.

Loan signings Barry Wilson and Greg Cameron, as well as David Weatherston and Kevin Moon were called in but failed to impress, not least in an awful opening period for Saints.

But McInnes said, “There were different players playing, but that shouldn’t really make any difference.

“The performance in the second half showed they were good enough to take the three points, but the opening period wasn’t good enough and we lost a bad goal and that’s not acceptable.

“We played in the right manner the second half and got bodies forward, played with a lot of spirit and made plenty of chances.”

It remains to be seen who will be handed spot-kick duties should another penalty be awarded Saints this season after two were missed on Tuesday.

Although he has scored 10 so far this term, Paul Sheerin squandered his second in a row, blasting high over the bar against Clyde after seeing one saved against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.

And Liam Craig was also unsuccessful against Clyde, although his effort was well saved.

McInnes said, “Paul has a fantastic record at penalties and it was very unlike him.

“To be fair to Liam, the keeper has pulled off a great save but it is always disappointing to miss penalties.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Cameron’s season could be over after he was stretchered off shortly into the second half after landing awkwardly and injuring his knee.