Kilmarnock climbed into the top six thanks to a 3-1 home win over St Johnstone highlighted by a majestic goal from Bobby Wales.
The youngster showed why he’s highly sought after with a fine assist to set up Liam Polworth’s opener on nine minutes before producing a wonderful touch and finish on the hour mark that sent Killie three up.
Fraser Murray had, moments earlier, pinged a free-kick beyond Andy Fisher from 30 yards as a quick-fire second-half salvo put the game to bed.
Having suffered defeat twice already this term to the Saints, the hosts were keen to get off to a fast start. And they duly did just that as they took a ninth minute lead. Slack defending allowed Wales to send the ball through to Polworth, who duly dinked Fisher for his second goal of the campaign.
Having provided the opener, Wales almost turned finisher five minutes later when more defensive dithering saw Killie win the ball back in their attacking third. The 19-year-old produced a neat turn and strike from the edge of the box that flew wide with Fisher stranded.
Saints were at sixes and sevens in the opening stages with Killie taking control of the game from the off and looking dangerous every time they went on the attack. Kyle Magennis should have done better when teed up inside the box as he blazed over while a string of corner-kicks came to nothing as they looked to extend their advantage.
The away side grew into the contest and looked far more threatening with the introduction of Stephen Duke-McKenna for the injured Victor Griffith midway through the half. He produced a fine ball out to Sam Curtis on the right flank. He cut inside but fired straight at Kieran O’Hara as the Perth outfit went searching for a leveller.
At the other end, Marley Watkins went agonisingly close to doubling the lead just before the break when he nodded Murray’s delivery from the left flank against the crossbar.
Both sides had chances in the early exchanges of the second half with Saints’ Daniels Balodis heading wide before Brad Lyons fizzed a half-volley on goal that Fisher did well to parry.
But the keeper was helpless moments later when Murray curled a beauty of a free-kick from distance beyond the stopper to give the hosts some breathing space. And he was beaten again three minutes later as Wales produced a moment of magic.
The youngster controlled the ball effortlessly before jinking beyond a defender and coolly slotting home into the far corner.
That effectively put the game to bed, although Saints squandered any hopes of dragging themselves back into the contest when Kirk somehow blasted over when unmarked at the back post on 67 minutes with the remainder of the contest resembling little more than a training session.
There was a boost for Derek McInnes looking beyond this clash, too, as he was able to bring both Innes Cameron and Matty Kennedy off the bench for their return from respective injuries. A positive afternoon in more ways than one for the Rugby Park side with even a Graham Carey injury-time consolation for the visitors doing little to dampen the mood.