A frustrated Nathan Buckley says Collingwood betrayed themselves with their inconsistent effort during a scrappy loss to St Kilda.
The Magpies remain anchored to the bottom eight of the AFL ladder after going down to the Saints by 14 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Buckley's side wasted chances in the first half, and with the exception of a last-ditch burst in the final quarter, looked well off the pace during the 9.15 (69) to 7.13 (55) defeat.
With conditions optimal underneath the closed roof, neither side seemed able to kick straight - either in front of goal or up the ground - and the scoreline read 4.7 to 3.7 at halftime.
But St Kilda lifted their intensity during a dominant third term, out-tackling the Pies 22-13 and winning twice as many inside-50s to open up a 22-point lead at the final break.
Collingwood improved their pressure around the ball late in the game but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
"Clearly in that last 10 minutes, there was a greater workrate and intent and it was too little, too late," Buckley said.
"Players felt like they betrayed themselves in that regard, and there's great frustration at that. We need to be a side that is more consistent bringing our brand of footy. Tonight we lowered our colours."
There were few positives to salvage for the Magpies coach, who is bound to come under renewed pressure after his side's 1-3 start.
The high-flying Jeremy Howe was brilliant in the backline, taking 10 grabs - including a mark of the year contender in the third quarter - and ruckman Brodie Grundy dominated St Kilda's Tom Hickey.
But Collingwood's midfielders lacked their usual impact, with captain Scott Pendlebury sitting out a large portion of the pivotal third quarter after winning 15 disposals to halftime.
Buckley said Pendlebury "probably wasn't as sharp" as he had been in previous games but denied that he was carrying an injury, or that he had been benched due to form.
With the 13th-placed Magpies badly in need of polish, Buckley said star recruit Daniel Wells had been declared fit and would be considered for next week's crunch Anzac Day game against Essendon.
The Saints relied largely on some of their lesser lights to carry them to victory, with half-back Dylan Roberton (32 touches, 12 marks) and skipper Jarryn Geary playing vital defensive roles.
Tim Membrey and Josh Bruce led the goal-scoring tally with two majors each as the Saints improved their record to 2-2.
"It's pleasing a couple of weeks in a row to win when you're not at your best," coach Alan Richardson said.
"Our ability to be able to convert some of our hard work continues to be a real opportunity for us. I thought our method stood up and I thought our defence was really positive."
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