SAINTS were the architects of their own downfall during a 2-1 loss to Hull, which extended their winless Championship run to seven games.
Pressure is building ever higher on Sports Republic and Tonda Eckert as Saints suffered their first home defeat under the German boss against a depleted Hull side.
A second-half strike from substitute Ross Stewart was not enough to spark a comeback after goals from Kyle Joseph and Charlie Hughes had Hull in front.
Joseph opened the scoring following a calamitous backwards pass from Ryan Manning before Hughes rose for a routine header, beating Nathan Wood to the ball.
Tonda Eckert reverted to a back five and gave new goalkeeper Peretz his home debut as the only change from the side that lost 4-0 to Middlesbrough in their last league fixture.
Despite a handful of injury fears earlier in the week, Hull made just one change from their 1-0 home loss to Stoke. Amir Hadžiahmetović replaced an injured Darko Gyabi.
The Tigers came into this game boasting the second-best away form in the league since October and were chasing their first league double over Saints since the 1950-51 campaign.
On-loan keeper Peretz made a stunning early save to deny Liam Millar, getting down quickly to his left to keep out the Canadian international’s header.
Armstrong came close on 10 minutes, slipped through by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, before Ivor Pandur came out to force a corner.
A goalmouth scramble from Tom Fellows' cross looked certain to open the scoring moments later. Jander's efforts were twice blocked before Finn Azaz could only poke into the side netting.
Saints kept the pressure up as Harwood-Bellis drilled a shot at Pandur, which the Croatian needed his defense to fully clear away.
Hull were then gifted a goal as a loose backpass from Manning was snatched by Oli McBurnie, who sat down Peretz and left Joseph an open net to curl the ball into.
Fan frustration grew inside St Mary's before Fellows found space on the right wing, cut inside his man, and fired inches over the bar.
Hull somehow escaped again when Harwood-Bellis hit the post from a corner, and Azaz’s follow-up chance was headed off the line.
The visitors doubled the lead in the 34th minute when Hughes was left an easy header at the back post from Hadžiahmetović’s corner.
The defender may consider himself lucky to have only seen yellow after a high challenge on Leo Scienza left the Brazilian with a nasty war wound.
Armstrong had two chances early in the second half, skimming a header high and wide before firing just over from the edge of the 18-yard box.
With 25 minutes remaining, Eckert replaced Fellows and Azaz with Ross Stewart and Jay Robinson to rapturous boos from the crowd.
Stewart then justified his introduction by firing one back for Saints from Scienza’s low ball into the box.
Yet Saints were unable to complete the comeback to earn their second league point of the year, and fans let them hear their thoughts at full-time.
Saints: Peretz, Fellows (Robinson 66’), Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Quarshie (Jelert, H-T), Manning (Archer, 89'), Downes, Jander (Matsuki, 77’), Azaz (Stewart, 66’), Scienza, Armstrong.
Unused subs: McCarthy, Stephens, Wellington, Williams.
Hull: Pandur, Coyle © (Ndala, 75’), Egan, Hughes, Famewo (McCarthy, H-T), Hadžiahmetović (Akintola, 90'), Slater, Joseph (Jacob, 54’), Crooks, Millar (Lundstram, 75’), McBurnie.
Unused subs: Phillips, Debayo, Palmer, Parker.
Referee: Samuel Allison
Attendance: 27,117.
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