Kilmarnock stayed on track for a place in Europe with a slender 1-0 victory over a St Johnstone side who also have aspirations of playing European soccer next season.

The game never lived up to pre-match expectations and the Perth side played well below their best. Saints will be disappointed at not collecting a share of the spoils but they did scorn a couple of excellent scoring opportunities. Kilmarnock are also having trouble finding the net - their solitary counter today was only their second in seven outings.

The only goal of the game came in 18 minutes as Perth keeper Alan Main lay injured.

Defender Gus McPherson set up the move when he slid the ball behind the Perth defence. Main came to meet it but collided with defender Gary Bollan and Killie forward Ally McCoist.

The ball broke to the unmarked Gary Holt who just had to walk it into the net.

Just before keeper Gordon Marshall did well to smother a fierce drive from Bollan.

McCoist had a chance to add to the Kilmarnock goal tally just before the interval, but snatched at a shot and sent it over the bar.

The visitors almost grabbed a second just after the interval but Ian Durrant's 30-yard drive just cleared the crossbar.

At the other end, Miguel Simao set up Keith O'Halloran just yards from the goal but he delayed too long and the chance was lost.

There was panic in the Perth defence in 55 minutes when Main failed to hold a Dylan Kerr cross, Paul Wright pounced on the loose ball but Darren Dods made a timely intervention to clear the danger.

Saints brought on substitute Gerry McMahon in an attempt to bolster the Perth attack.

Roddy Grant almost grabbed the equaliser in 58 minutes from a Bollan free-kick but somehow keeper Marshall managed to push the ball round for a corner.

Saints did have the ball in the net in 62 minutes but McMahon was clearly offside.

There were chances for both sides at either end but Killie held out for a valuable three points.

A streaker added some excitement to the second half when he made an 80-yard dash across the pitch before being led away.

Three players were booked - John McQuillan of Saints and Jim Lauchen and Gus McPherson of Killie.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Dods, Kernaghan, Bollan, O'Halloran (Lowndes 70), Kane, Dasovic, Scott (McMahon 53),Simao, Grant.

Subs Not Used: Weir, McBride, Ferguson.

Booked: McQuillan.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, McGowne, Lauchlan, Kerr, Reilly, Holt (Mahood 88), Durrant, Mitchell, Wright,McCoist (Roberts 66).

Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Burke, Strain.

Booked: Lauchlan, MacPherson.

Goals: Holt 18.

Att: 5,461

Ref: D McDonald (Edinburgh).