Makenzie Kirk rediscovered his scoring touch with a second-half winner to give St Johnstone’s survival bid a massive boost with a 1-0 victory over Ross County.
Kirk netted on the rebound after 66 minutes as Saints closed the gap on Dundee at the bottom of the William Hill Premiership to just three points.
The 1-0 margin of victory would have been greater if not for three excellent Jordan Amissah saves.
But Saints will be thrilled to take momentum into a huge showdown at Dundee on Saturday.
Saints manager Simo Valakari had been dealt a huge pre-match blow with influential centre half Bozo Mikulic ruled out for the season with an ACL injury suffered in training.
The Croatian, set for nine months out, was replaced by Zach Mitchell.
Fellow loanee Stephen Duke-McKenna also made his first start after eye-catching substitute outings.
Both deadline day signings were superb at either end of the pitch while County failed to show the form that had previously put them into top-six contention.
County had arrived in Perth with an unchanged team for the third game in a row.
They took too long to settle as Saints dominated the ball and bossed the first half.
On 11 minutes, Duke-McKenna was first to be denied by the excellence of keeper Amissah.
McKenna’s 25-yard free-kick was sailing into the top corner of the net before Amissah pawed clear from his line.
The ex-Sheffield United goalkeeper then topped that with a stunning save from current Blades loanee Sam Curtis a minute before half-time.
The teenage defender looked like rounding off a superb Saints move with a diving header from Jonathan Svedberg’s delivery.
Curtis, denied by Craig Gordon’s genius in defeat to Hearts on Sunday, suffered once again from six yards out as Amissah hurled himself right to force away.
In a bright start to the second half by the visitors, Connor Randall went close and Elijah Campbell headed straight at Andy Fisher.
However, Saints resumed control quickly and earned a breakthrough with a move started by veteran sub Graham Carey.
Kirk took over and tried to play in Duke-McKenna. Akil Wright botched his effort to intercept by tripping and gifting Duke-McKenna a passage to goal.
The Harrogate loanee saw his shot saved but Kirk’s reactions were rapid and he buried his eighth goal of the season, ending a five-match run without scoring.
Duke-McKenna and Nicky Clark came close to doubling the lead and County only posed a serious threat on 89 minutes.
Nohan Kenneh struck a powerful low drive from just inside the box and there was huge relief for the home fans as Fisher did well to make a clean save.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...

Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...

Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...

WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...

Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...

Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...

Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...

Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...

Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid