St Johnstone move 5 clear of Partick Thistle with narrow win against Airdrieonians. 

In the opening few minutes, St Johnstone could have took the lead. A ball over the top found Gullan, who backheeled it into the path of McPake, whose tame effort from inside the box was easily saved by Stone.

The Saints thought they found the breakthrough when Fowler got on the end of Diabete’s cross and volleyed home from close range, but the striker was flagged for a marginal offside.

Airdrie had their first sight of goal when Mochrie had a go from outside the box, but his effort was comfortably saved by Steward.

McPake played a dangerous ball into the Airdrie box, which avoided everyone and looked destined for the far corner, but Stone stuck out a left hand do deny the Hearts-bound winger.

Henderson found McKinnon with a cross, but the Airdrie number 24, who found himself unmarked inside the box, put his volley over the top. A golden chance for the hosts.

The Saints took the lead when Gullan played a brilliant ball over the top which found Paton, who chipped the ball, on the volley, over Stone, to give Simo Valakari’s side the lead. The perfect way to introduce yourself to the St Johnstone faithful.

Into the second period, Gullan found McPake, but similar to his chance in the first period, his effort was easily saved by Stone.

The ball fell to McGrattan on the edge of the box after a quick Airdrie counter attack, but his curling effort went sailing over the bar.

With over 15 minutes to go, Steward made a tremendous stop to keep The Saints in front. Henderson played a low ball across goal into the path of Mochrie, who looked like he had a tap in, but Steward got across to somehow deny the forward.

Airdrie had another golden opportunity to get themselves back on level terms. Mahon’s cutback was deflected into the path of Henderson, who attempted to flick the ball in at the near post, but Steward made himself big to keep Airdrie out once again.

Airdrie kept piling the pressure onto the St Johnstone backline. Substitute Mahon found himself with space to shoot, but his effort towards the near post was saved by Steward.

Into additional time, Gallagher got on the end of a cross from the right and his effort, on the stretch, went inches wide.

After 4 minutes of additional time, the referee brought the game to a close as the game finished 1-0 to St Johnstone. As a result, The Saints move 5 clear at the top of the Championship, while Airdrie remain only 1 point ahead of Ross County in 9th, who face Queen’s Park tomorrow in a huge game at the tail end of the Championship table.

Airdrieonians: Stone (7), MacDonald (6), Ross (6), McArthur (6), Strapp (5), McMaster (6), Telfer (6), McKinnon (6), Barjonas (6), Mochrie (5), Henderson (5)

Substitutes: McGrattan (6), Thomas (5), Gallagher (5), Mahon (5), Constable (5)

St Johnstone: Steward (9), Diabete (6), Baird (7), Boyes (7), Forrester (6), Holt (6), McAlear (6), Gullan (7), Paton (8), McPake (5), Fowler (6)

Substitutes: Agyeman (5), Steven (5)