Goals from James McFadden and Michael O’Halloran helped St Johnstone to a 2-1 win against Ross County in an action-packed match at McDiarmid Park.
Jake Jervis pulled a goal back for the Staggies with 15 minutes remaining to set up a rousing finish but the Perth Saints held on for the win.
Unsurprisingly, the Staggies stuck with the same starting XI that defeated Kilmarnock 3-0 in an excellent display at Rugby Park before the international break.
The hosts, only beaten twice in 16 home matches against the Staggies, made two changes from their previous outing, a 1-1 draw at Dundee, with former Scotland international James McFadden and Simon Lappin stepping in for Gary McDonald and Liam Caddis.
St Johnstone enjoyed the better of the first half and deservedly took a one goal lead into the break.
A Frazer Wright header was hacked off the line by Graham Carey before former Scotland international James McFadden broke the deadlock after 39 minutes with a low, deflected drive that found the back of the net in a packed penalty box.
The game’s major talking point came in the 73rd minute.
The Staggies looked to have a strong claim for a penalty when Chris Millar brought down Tony Dingwall inside the area.
Referee Steven McLean, who had endured a poor game, moved his whistle to his lips but opted against awarding a penalty and within 60 seconds the hosts had raced up the pitch and netted a second thanks to a fine finish from O’Halloran.
The Ross County players were livid but they channelled that anger in the right manner and immediately pulled a goal back when Scott Boyd nodded a Joe Cardle cross into the path of Jervis who bundled the ball home.
The Staggies pushed for a late equaliser but the St Johnstone defence held firm to see out the victory.