Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Murray Davidson scored twice against 10-man Ross County as St Johnstone eased their relegation fears and earned a first home win since September.

Scott Tanser's cross was headed down by Steven MacLean into the path of Davidson, who drilled the ball into the net for his first.

Then Davidson's powerful shot made it two when County goalkeeper Scott Fox could not keep it out.

County's Craig Curran was sent off late on after pushing over Steven MacLean.

St Johnstone fully deserved the win, while Ross County's promising form of the last two weeks was not in evidence. The result moves the home side nine points clear of County, who stay rooted to the bottom of the Premiership.

The opening of the match saw both teams set-up in 4-4-2 formation but their effort and endeavour saw them effectively cancel each other out.

St Johnstone had enjoyed the better territorial advantage throughout the half and they engineered the breakthrough in a simple but effective manner. Tanser supplied the cross from the right, MacLean stepped away from his man to knock a header into the path of Davidson to finish from close range.

The lift to the home side was obvious and they ensured a satisfying half-time with a second goal. Davidson reacted well to Chris Kane's blocked effort falling to him outside the box. He let fly with a sweeping volley which looked to have been stopped by Fox in the County goal as he dived well to his right, but rather than clear the bar his touch fell underneath into the net.

The game was almost ended as a contest when a David Wotherspoon cross was met by Marcus Fraser facing his own goal, but his strong connection ricocheted off the bar.

Ross County manager Owen Coycle made a double change, but they failed to yield the desired effect as St Johnstone continued to control the game and if their passing in the final third had been better then they could have extended their lead.

Craig Curran pushed over Steven MacLean, leading to a second yellow card for the Ross County striker

The second half was like the first but without the goals. Ross County looked unable to find a constructive route to goal, though they forced a meaningful save from Allan Mannus through David Keillor-Dunn close-range shot.

By that point Ross County had been reduced to 10 men. Substitute Curran, who had been yellow carded for a foul, needlessly got involved in a spat after Joe Shaughnessy attempted to blast the ball out of play after Ross County failed to return it following an injury.

Shaughnessy's clearance hit Fraser who reacted angrily and in the following coming together Curran was yellow carded for grappling MacLean to the floor.

Post-match reaction

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright: "I thought it was an excellent performance. We controlled the game from start to finish. Their first serious effort was in the 90th minute. I'm probably disappointed we didn't score more.

"Now we've two games in hand and are only five points off Motherwell.

"At least we were more positive at home. Today we were on the front foot from the first whistle. The crowd got really behind them today, sometimes it can be a bit quiet here.

"It's important to try to go on a run now."

Ross County manager Owen Coyle: "The first goal turned the game in St Johnstone's favour, and from then on they were the better team and deserved the points.

"We got no-where near the standard we've shown in recent weeks and that's hugely disappointing. We had a lot of fans who traveled down and I'm disappointed for them because we didn't do enough to get back in the game.

"Our best chances actually came in the last couple of minutes when we were down to 10 men."