St Johnstone extended their recent unbeaten run to four games with this win over rock bottom Ross County.
Former Scotland hero James McFadden was their star man, scoring the opener and being at the heart of all that was good in the performance.
Saints created the first real opening in the 14th minute when McFadden played an incisive pass to Michael O’Halloran but his angled shot was too close to Staggies keeper Mark Brown who easily saved.
Shortly after, County survived a big scare when a Frazer Wright effort from a McFadden corner was cleared off Brown’s line by one of his defenders.
However, there was nothing the keeper could do to prevent Saints taking the lead in the 29th minute.
Lee Croft fired in a corner from the left towards McFadden who turned to hit a shot from eight yards out that somehow squirmed its way through a forest of legs and into the back of the net for his first goal for the Perth side since joining the club at the start of last month.
Chances were at a premium in the opening stages of the second half however in the 65th minute County had an incredible escape when a point-blank O’Halloran header from a Croft cross came back off the inside of the woodwork when it had looked certain that it would be another goal to Saints.
However, the home side did increase their lead in the 73rd minute with a fine solo effort from O’Halloran who showed good strength to hold off a defender before calmly rifling the ball into the net.
County felt doubly aggrieved as just before that, they had seen a strong penalty claim turned down by referee Steven McLean after Chris Millar had tackled Filip Kiss in the Saints box.
The second goal appeared to set the seal on a home victory but just two minutes later, the Staggies pulled one back when sub Joe Cardle swung a cross to the back post which was turned back by Paul Quinn to allow Jake Jervis to nod home from close range.
Saints hearts were in their mouths shortly after when Kiss blasted over when he should have hit the target.
However, the home side held on to secure a merited three points, the perfect result ahead of next Saturday’s Scottish Cup meeting with the same opponents.