Skipper Liam Gordon led by example to hand St Johnstone a huge boost in their Premiership safety mission.
The Perth local netted the only goal in Saturday afternoon’s tussle of Tayside against Dundee United - who had Charlie Mulgrew sent off on the hour mark - at McDiarmid Park.
His low effort from inside the box as half-time approached sent Steven MacLean’s side five points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
There was certainly a nervousness to Saints’ start with little care or delicacy taken to keep hold of the football for any real length of time.
Dundee United, backed by a sell-out travelling support, had looked the likelier to break the deadlock without really troubling goalkeeper Remi Matthews.
Ian Harkes’ weak header and a dangerous break into the box from Ilmari Niskanen were both causes for concern.
Saints did, slowly, begin to work their way into the contest and Graham Carey fired a free-kick marginally wide of the mark before forcing Mark Birighitti into a smart flying stop.
Just as it appeared the teams would be heading in at half-time level, Perth local and skipper Gordon led by example to find the opener.
He had initially won the aerial flick-on from a long throw-in and actually benefitted from Stevie May’s fluffed attempted volley.
The ball broke back for Gordon who found the bottom corner with, he would admit himself, not the cleanest of strikes from 10 yards. He did, however, not care. It was his first goal since October 2021.
Saints attempted to build on their advantage early in the second half and Carey’s wicked cross only needed the touch of a Perth boot. Birighitti managed to gather.
MacLean’s men would, though, have a man advantage on the hour mark when Mulgrew was sent off for a last-man challenge on Melker Hallberg.
Hallberg was soon replaced by Theo Bair as Saints battled to keep hold of - and build on - their lead.
There was a scare when Niskanen’s wicked delivery from the right flank flashed all the way across goal in the 76th minute.
Quickly up the other end Drey Wright went for glory from the edge of the box but his low shot was scooped up comfortably by Birighitti.
May, who had again covered every blade of grass, was replaced by Zak Rudden as Perth management attempted to keep legs fresh.
In the final couple of minutes Carey showed off his wonderful feet at the byline before forcing Birighitti to guide the ball behind for a corner at his near post.
Six additional minutes were held up and United forward Steven Fletcher smashed the post right at the death, but Saints managed to hold on.
