Saints earned a vital victory over fourth-placed Killie to keep their European dreams alive.

A goal inside the first minute from midfielder John O'Neil was enough for Paul Sturrock's side to move two points behind Killie to set up an exciting climax to the season.

Saints made a fantastic start when Attila Sekerlioglu found O'Neil at the far post, who nodded past a stunned Gordon Marshall after just 58 seconds.

George O'Boyle should have extended Saints' lead when Grant sent him through on goal but his lob drifted harmlessly wide with Marshall in no man's land.

Killie eventually responded and Paul Wright missed two opportunities in as many minutes. His overhead kick in 24 minutes failed to trouble Alan Main and the keeper blocked the ex-Saints striker's eight-yard header shortly afterwards.

Killie left back Dylan Kerr then blasted in a 25-yard free-kick which Main held at the second attempt.

His opposite number Marshall then made a tremendous finger-tip save to deny O'Neil his second strike of the afternoon.

Frenchman Jerome Vareille was booked shortly before the interval for diving by referee Hugh Dallas.

Saints started the second half determined to grab a decisive second goal. O'Boyle should have put the matter beyond doubt in 48 minutes when he latched on to the end of a clearance from Main but his angled drive missed the target.

O'Boyle's strike partner Roddy Grant was then teed up by winger Gerry McMahon on the box but his tame volley was easily held by Marshall.

The former Celtic keeper was in action again on the hour mark - tipping over Paul Kane's powerful drive although ref Dallas awarded a goal-kick.

Killie pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Varielle's low drive failed to trouble Main.

Saints lost the services of influential defender Alan Kernaghan in 73 minutes, youngster Stuart McCluskey replacing him at the heart of the defence.

Killie manager Bobby Williamson then withdrew John Henry and Wright and sent on Mark Roberts and Ally Mitchell in a late attempt to salvage a point.

Roberts had a chance to equalise with his first touch but his spectacular volley flew over Main's bar.

Man-of-the-match Sekerlioglu had the ball in the net with two minutes remaining but the strike was disallowed for offside

Killie had one final chance to equalise but John McQuillan blocked Kerr's effort.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Preston, Sekerlioglu, Weir, Kernaghan (McCluskey 73), McMahon (O'Halloran 70), Kane, Grant, O'Boyle (Jenkinson 87), O'Neil.

Booked: Sekerlioglu, Grant.

Goals: O'Neil 1.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Hamilton, Kerr, Lauchlan, Montgomerie, Reilly, Nevin, Holt, Wright (Roberts 74), Henry (Mitchell 67), Vareille.

Subs Not Used: O'Neill.

Booked: Lauchlan, Vareille.

Att: 4,982

Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).