More misery for Saints as Killie eye up Europe
Kilmarnock forged further clear in fourth place thanks to a goal in either half and a thoroughly professional display.
Derek Mcinnes’s men widened the gap on St Mirren to eight points heading into the split to enhance their status in the European race.
Joe Wright’s third goal of the campaign was an adequate reward for first-half pressure.
Killie then managed the game in solid fashion to ward off intermittent danger from hardgrafting Saints before Marley Watkins secured the win.
Defensive jitters and a swirling wind made for an uncomfortable first half for a nervy home defence.
It could’ve been worse had Kyle Vassell not fluffed a glorious chance from a Watkins cross inside two minutes.
Danny Armstrong’s half volley whistled just over, too, before it took a centre-back to show the penalty box stealth to earn a lead. Liam Polworth dropped in a delivery and Wright hooked in with his right foot before Andy Considine could clear.
With Polworth joining David Watson and Liam Donnelly in the middle of the park, Killie enjoyed the edge in central midfield.
Kilmarnock continued to be the more threatening force, and Dimitar Mitov pulled off a terrific stop from Watkins.
However, the Bulgarian was then caught napping by Matty Kennedy as he organised his defenders for the corner.
The ex-saints winger whipped in a quick flag-kick that smacked the bar as Mitov scrambled to his line.
Saints were far smarter after the break.
Max Kucheriavyi shuffled himself into position for a longrange shot pushed away by Dennis.
The best chance was passed up by top scorer Nicky Clark. The veteran announced his comeback from injury against Killie in November.
The deadly touch badly deserted him on this Killie visit as he blazed wildly over following a sweet set-up by Sidibeh’s head flick.
Mitov’s saves kept Saints in it. Polworth was denied from distance and he showed superb reactions to force away a free Stuart Findlay header.
Retaining the former Cambridge No. 1’s services beyond the summer might emerge one of the challenges of the close season for Craig Levein.
It certainly won’t be the Perth boss’s only poser as he seeks to improve on a third successive disappointing campaign for the club.
There might have been a different story in Perth if either Saints centre-half had plundered an equaliser on 76 minutes.
Dennis turned on to the post from Ryan Mcgowan then Findlay earned a pat on the back from his keeper for blocking brilliantly to deny Considine.
With comeback midfielder Brad Lyons on for his first appearance of the year with Rory Mckenzie, Killie gained fresh impetus and doubled their advantage.
Armstrong floated a nightmare dead-ball delivery in between defence and keeper.
The ball was nodded across goal and Watkins nudged into an empty net for his 13th of the season.
Mckenzie almost made it three but was forced wide by Mitov and struck the side netting.
The points were safely on their way to Ayrshire, although Benji Kimpioka’s spectacular overhead kick came within inches of a consolation.