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St Mirren remain in search of their first home league win of the season as Michael O'Halloran scored the only goal in St Johnstone's win in Paisley.

Brian Easton's free-kick was not cleared properly and O'Halloran lashed in a deflected shot.

Brian Graham struck a post in the second-half as the Perth Saints almost doubled their lead.

St Mirren created several chances but failed to take any, as St Johnstone marched home with all three points.

Tommy Craig had insisted this was not a must-win match, but a decent result was sorely needed by the under-pressure St Mirren boss, whose team sit above bottom side Ross County on goal difference alone.

O'Halloran looked lively from the start as St Johnstone started strongly.

St Mirren's Kenny McLean, impressive in the second half, vies for possession with St Johnstone defender Brian Easton

He collected the ball 20 yards out and unleashed a curling drive that took a deflection as it nestled into the net for his fifth goal in the last five games.

It took until the 23rd minute for St Mirren to produce any meaningful response. Adam Drury showed good pace down the right, but his shot from just inside the box was tame and comfortably saved.

Five minutes before the break, O'Halloran went down in the box under a challenge from Isaac Osbourne, but referee Kevin Clancy decided it was not a penalty.

Kenny McLean then tried his luck from 20 yards with his less-favoured right-foot but it was a comfortable take for Alan Mannus.

There was a blow for the home side at half-time as captain Steven Thompson was withdrawn as a precaution after tweaking his groin.

Despite that setback, St Mirren began brightly with Jason Naismith forcing Mannus into a fine save.

At the other end, James McFadden had a header saved before the Perth side almost took a 2-0 lead.

Striker Graham worked a yard of space in the box and fired a shot which looked goal-bound, but instead it came back off a post.

McLean went close with a couple of free-kicks for St Mirren, before a great chance fell for substitute Callum Ball but his near-post header was clawed away by Mannus.

St Mirren keeper Ridgers did well to save a close-range drive from Graham and Ball fired over from 10 yards after a corner.

Substitute Sean Kelly stung the palms of Mannus as St Mirren continued to create chances then, when Jason Naismith lashed in a late shot from the right that flew the wrong side of a post, it drew groans of disappointment in the home crowd.