Millar goal proves enough

Chris Millar's first-half goal was enough to ensure St Johnstone beat St Mirren 1-0 at McDiarmid Park.

The midfielder made the most of a David Barron mis-kick to drill a 25-yard shot past the despairing dive of Buddies keeper Paul Gallacher after only 18 minutes.

The Perth outfit would have been disappointed not to have added to their lead in a second half they dominated, particularly after visiting striker Michael Higdon was dismissed for a second caution in the 67th minute. However, Derek McInnes' men never looked in danger of letting the three points slip as they leapfrogged their opponents to move into seventh spot.

St Mirren tamed the icy conditions first to create an early opportunity. Craig Dargo shuffled his way across the edge of the box and when the ball fell for Billy Mehmet on the right edge of the area, his powerful drive shaved the outside of a relieved Graeme Smith's right-hand post.

The home side did put together a meaningful attack in the 14th minute as Filipe Morais was released down the left flank by Kenny Deuchar's flick on and the attack climaxed with Jody Morris blasting high and wide from 12 yards out.

St Johnstone took the lead in the 19th minute. Barron mis-kicked his attempted clearance 25 yards from goal and Millar reacted first to drill his drive under Gallacher's outstretched arms and into the bottom corner of the net.

Deuchar was presented with an opportunity following neat interplay but blasted just past the top corner from 16 yards, while Millar wasted a good opportunity for the home side in the 51st minute as he scampered onto a Filipe Morais pass but failed to pick out any of the three team-mates he had supporting in the box.

A flurry of corners heaped pressure on the Buddies' goal but they almost grabbed an equaliser in a rare attack at the other end. Daniel Grainger did magnificently to head Stephen McGinn's cross clear as he hurtled towards his own goal and Hugh Murray's 20-yard effort from the rebound flashed wide of Graeme Smith's exposed goal.

With 66 minutes gone, St Mirren's task became even harder when they were reduced to 10 men. Higdon, booked midway through the first half for a foul on Graham Gartland, was guilty of another late challenge on the same defender to earn a second caution and the resultant red card.

Gallacher had to look smart in the 79th minute as Steven Milne was allowed time to race on to Gary Irvine's pass and deliver a ball across the six-yard box that, with a little more care, could have picked out Deuchar.