St Johnstone sealed an immediate return to the William Hill Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline at East End Park, thanks to second-half strikes from Reece McAlear and Ruari Paton. The win put Saints seven points clear of Partick Thistle with two Championship matches remaining, after Thistle’s draw with Airdrie handed Simo Valakari’s side the first chance to wrap up the title.
Saints have led the division for most of the campaign, and the result extended their advantage as both they and Partick remained long unbeaten in the league. Dunfermline arrived at East End Park on the back of a taxing weekend — they had played 120 minutes and won a Scottish Cup semi-final on penalties against Falkirk — and manager Neil Lennon made five changes for his side, who were also playing their third midweek fixture in a row.
St Johnstone dominated the opening period. Josh McPake was a constant threat on the wing, rattling the underside of the bar from about 15 yards and producing a string of inviting deliveries that Paton could not convert. Sam Stanton tested the visitors from distance and was involved in a goalmouth scramble when Morgan Boyes saw an effort inadvertently blocked.
The deadlock was broken in the 56th minute. Dunfermline failed to clear a set-piece situation and Paton played in McAlear from about 22 yards; his first-time effort took a sizeable deflection off Charlie Gilmour and looped past goalkeeper Aston Oxborough. Saints doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Paton drifted between the hosts’ centre-backs and met Liam Smith’s cross with a precise header, steering the ball low into the bottom corner from around 12 yards.
The result leaves Dunfermline still positioned above the play-off places but only five points clear of fifth-placed Raith Rovers; Raith travel to McDiarmid Park on Friday, presenting the Pars a chance to secure a play-off berth before the weekend.
Saints captain Jason Holt described the promotion as a huge relief and a proud moment after a testing period in his career. Holt, one of only a few squad members who endured last season’s struggles, praised Valakari’s approach — the positivity, freedom and trust he gives players — as central to the team’s success. He paid tribute to the staff and his teammates for maintaining high standards from the start of the season and said bouncing straight back to the top flight felt especially rewarding.