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Danny Lennon is trying to see the positive side to his St Mirren side's growing reputation as draw specialists.

The Paisley men have drawn seven of their last eight games and been held 16 times in total this season.

And while last week's 2-2 draw against Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tynecastle gives them the chance to get through in next week's replay to meet Celtic, points dropped in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League have left the Buddies with a tough task of making the top six before the split.

Sitting ninth in the table, Saints are eight points behind sixth-placed Hearts and ahead of the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday, Lennon addressed his side's recent propensity for drawing games.

"Statistics are funny, you can put them into a negative light or a positive light," he told Press Association Sport.

"We haven't won in the SPL since we beat Rangers at Christmas and that's a statistic I don't like and we are working hard to change that, with the next opportunity against St Johnstone on Saturday.

"However, we are unbeaten in our last eight games and we are unbeaten in 14 of the last 17 games in all competitions.

"That statistic shows we are a very competitive side who is hard to beat.

"We don't speak about the draws. We just talk about when we dominate possession, we have got to be killing teams off.

"We are creating opportunities and we have to be ruthless.

"Lack of goals is the cause, no doubt about it. But we are beginning to find the net again so hopefully that continues on Saturday."

Lennon, however, admits it will take "something a wee bit special" to make it into the top half of the table.

"It's going to be a hard task, no doubt about it," said the former Cowdenbeath boss.

"If we are to do it, we are going to have to do something a wee bit special, we are going to have to win four games, which are winnable games.

"But every place we move up the table is important to the club."

The St Mirren boss returned to statistics when evaluating the Perth side who are fifth in the table and battling for a European spot.

"We are unbeaten against them and haven't conceded a goal against them so far," Lennon said.

"We have beaten them twice in Perth, once in the league and once in the cup, and drew 0-0 at home with them.

"So we are looking for a win but we recognise the threat that they pose, especially on the road.

"A statistic for them, incredibly, they have only lost two league games all season on the road.

"They are having another great campaign, they have been in the top six all season and that is fantastic.

"They are a well-run club which lives within their means and I think they are an example to clubs around the country.

"They are similar to us off the pitch, our target is to emulate them on the pitch."