NO top-six finish.

No William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final. Hell, there hasn't even been a win to smile about since Christmas Eve. If this recent good weather lets up then you wouldn't blame the St Mirren squad for asking tentatively if they couldn't just call time on their season and duck out a few weeks early.

That run of 11 league matches without victory has become a psychological burden, but it has also afforded the Paisley side an incentive for the remaining weeks of a campaign they started by having to fend off plaudits for their style of play; St Mirren will be eager not to allow their faltering form to undermine the progress that has been made.

Beating Kilmarnock today would be a good way to start. Both sides have been lauded for their devotion to a certain way of playing, but only the Rugby Park side have something to show for it. Lifting the Scottish Communities League Cup has perhaps salved any discontent at the likelihood that they will finish outside the top six, but it will also be regarded as evidence that St Mirren are on the right path, even if the journey has become a little bumpy of late.

"Everybody talks about [our form]; every time we are getting a draw, a draw then a draw," said Jeroen Tesselaar, the St Mirren full-back who will open talks next week about extending his contract beyond the end of the season. "We are a little bit disappointed about the top six, so we hope now to reach No.7 and to win against Kilmarnock. We hope that we can push it further next year and stay in the top six."

The main focus this afternoon could be on Liam Kelly once again. There have been suggestions the midfielder may be included in the Kilmarnock squad for the first time since his father died shortly after the League Cup triumph. Danny Lennon is only too aware how difficult it can be to return to football following such a tragedy.

"I was at Hibs when I lost my dad. I was just 20 years old," said the St Mirren manager. "I didn't go back again for maybe two weeks. I even remember driving to training having told Alex [Miller, then Hibs' manager] I would make an effort to come in, and when I got to the roundabout at Broxburn I couldn't stop thinking about my wee ma' back at the house. I just burrelled round the roundabout and went back home. But Liam Kelly not only has a good manager there [Kenny Shiels] but a wonderful man who knows the value of family."

That is most noticeable in Shiels' management of his son, Dean, who has been Kilmarnock's most influential player this season.

Signed at first on loan and then, in January, on a short-term contract, the 27-year-old playmaker is unsure if he will remain at Rugby Park beyond the summer.

"It's been a hectic couple of weeks," said Shiels. "I'm quite tired, but I feel good at the same time. It was a great achievement to win the League Cup, but I wasn't thinking about trophies when I signed.

"If we hadn't been in the semis, I would still have decided to stay [in January]. I wanted to remain at the club. I thought of it as more of an added bonus than a reason. I've been really happy with my decision, but I'll need to evaluate things in June. As things stand, I haven't spoken to Kilmarnock about signing for next year.

"The team is more important than me. That has to take priority. We're hoping for a successful end to the season, so I'll just wait and see what happens."

In order to make the top six, Kilmarnock must win their next two games, and hope that Hearts lose both of theirs, but Shiels promised a competitive run-in, regardless of the stakes.

"We've won a cup, and that's great, but we can't afford to rest on our laurels. The management won't allow that for one second."