Raith Rovers took another huge step towards clinching a promotion play-off spot and virtually killed off any lingering hopes their hosts had of a late surge towards the top four.
It was another slick display from Ray McKinnon’s men who led from goals by Aidan Connolly and Ross Callachan before Alex Cooper reduced the deficit, with all the goals coming in the first half.
The victory means Raith have pulled a comfortable 10 points clear of fifth-placed Morton as the season enters the home straight.
Rovers looked a team in contention for the play-offs even without Ryan Hardie who was on under-19 international duty, as they stamped their intentions on the match from the first whistle, looking particularly threatening on the counter attack.
The opening exchanges were fairly even but it was the Kirkcaldy side who grabbed the early initiative as they went ahead after 22 minutes. A through ball from Louis Longridge found the intelligent run of Connolly and he stroked the ball high into the net.
The visitors’ lead was doubled just 10 minutes later as a slack header back from Buddies defender Jack Baird gifted the ball to Callachan who gratefully slotted the ball home from just inside the area.
Saints did fight their way back into the match just two minutes before half-time as winger Cooper latched on to a trademark Lawrence Shankland long throw to fire the ball low into the net from 10 yards to give the Saints a lifeline going into the break.
There were few clear-cut chances after half time but still plenty of drama as the home side tried to force an equaliser.
They watched efforts from Scott Agnew and Steven Mallan fly wide of the mark as they had a continued spell of dominance as the match wore on.
Emotions reached boiling point in the 65th minute as Saints gaffer Alex Rae was sent to the stands after strongly protesting a free-kick awarded to the visitors, the former Dundee gaffer having also been incensed at several appeals for a home penalty being turned down.
The Paisley side had their best opportunity of a leveller 10 minutes from the final whistle when substitute Steven Thompson laid the ball off for Shankland but the striker’s shot flew just wide of the target.
Rovers substitute Grant Anderson blazed wide as the visitors finally eased towards another crucial win.