The long wait for a St Johnstone win is finally at an end after this dramatic last-gasp victory over Motherwell.
Saints had last triumphed away back on December 5 against Ross County but they dug deep to come from behind and break that dismal run against the Steelmen.
The first half hour of this game was not exactly a thing of beauty with both sides quickly becoming bogged down in a war of attrition.
The keepers were reduced to the role of spectators with chances notable by their absence.
However, Motherwell finally created and took one in the 33rd minute when former Saints player James McFadden swung a corner in from the right with Louis Moult guiding a header past home keeper Alan Mannus.
The goalie’s opposite number Connor Ripley was finally called into action shortly after when he had to tip over a David Wotherspoon corner kick.
However, the Motherwell keeper was left helpless in the 43rd minute when Wotherspoon collected a pass from Liam Craig on the left side of the away team’s penalty area and sent a superb curling shot into the back of the net.
The Steelmen had a great chance to take the lead for the second time on the hour mark when sub Stevie Hammell sent a free-kick in from the left but the unmarked Moult headed over when he should have at least hit the target.
Saints then had a great opportunity of their own when Tam Scobbie swung in a cross in from the left but sub Graham Cummins’ glancing header flashed just past Ripley’s far post.
The home side had an even better chance in the 79th minute when Wotherspoon fired a cross from the right to the unmarked Craig but the midfielder steered his six-yard shot past the post.
It seemed certain that the game would end in a draw but there was to be a dramatic finale in the 90th minute.
Sub Simon Lappin delivered a great free-kick in from the left with Scobbie heading past Ripley to secure all three precious points for Saints.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.