Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Kilmarnock climbed to fifth in the Premiership with a commanding victory over 10-man St Johnstone.

Jordan Jones was the game's central figure, tormenting the Perth side with his pace and trickery.

Jones was brought down by Aaron Comrie for the penalty that led to Kris Boyd opening the scoring from the spot.

The visitors' Jason Kerr was sent off for bringing Jones down, then Lee Erwin doubled Kilmarnock's advantage after the break.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was unhappy with some of the decisions of referee Willie Collum, who approached the visitors' dugout during the first half to speak to Wright.

Jordan Jones was fouled by Aaron Comrie for the penalty that led to the game's opening goal

Kilmarnock are now unbeaten in their last nine home games, and their last eight games overall, while St Johnstone sit in eighth place following a run of one win in their last six games.

Wright's side subdued an early Kilmarnock flurry and looked strong in possession, creating a couple of reasonable opportunities. Yet that opening flattered to deceive the visitors.

The main threat to St Johnstone was Jones, who was direct and pacy; at times, the winger was devastating.

He turned out to be the key to Kilmarnock's latest home victory, although St Johnstone did contribute to their own downfall.

The pivotal moment arrived on the half-hour mark, when Jones gathered on the left just inside the box.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was unhappy with Kilmarnock's Jordan Jones during the game

He drew Comrie in and with a rapid double flick of the ball, provoked a late challenge which Collum deemed worthy of a penalty. It seemed a straightforward decision, although Wright clearly disagreed on the touchline.

Boyd duly slammed the ball home for his 18th goal of an increasingly prolific season for the veteran striker.

Tempers flared shortly after when Jones was on the receiving end of an overly robust challenge from Comrie which earned the St Johnstone defender a yellow card.

Wright seemed to suggest a dive, which caused a reaction from the Kilmarnock player and raised the home fans' noise levels.

They didn't recede much afterwards, with Rugby Park transformed recently into a joyous, positive environment in which winning football games has begun to seem routine.

Jones was brought down by Jason Kerr in the first-half, which led to the St Johnstone defender's dismissal

Decibels peaked once again when Chris Millar lost possession cheaply in midfield to Jones. The winger skipped away and was unceremoniously clipped by Kerr, who was ordered off. It was effectively the end of the contest.

Erwin then fired off the post, with Aaron Tshibola's stunning long-range drive into the net from the rebound denied by an offside flag against Boyd, who seemed to be in a position that interfered with St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus's line of sight.

Erwin would not be denied. Midway through the second half, he cut inside on the right and curled a lovely left-foot shot inside the far post after great build-up play.

St Johnstone had no answer and the only surprise was that there were no further goals conceded.

For Kilmarnock, Steve Clarke seems to have emphatically delivered his main target already: there's no chance of relegation now.

Lee Erwin scored Kilmarnock's second goal with a left-foot finish following a fine attacking move