A goal from ex-Saint Billy Dodds gave Aberdeen only their second Premier League away win in more than a year.

It was a disappointing result for a below-par St Johnstone side who now face another two tough games - against Motherwell in midweek and Dundee United next Saturday.

Just one goal separated the teams at the final whistle but the Dons, with Ian Jess and Joe Miller at their probing best always looked the more likely to score.

Saints were without ever present keeper Alan Main out with a shoulder injury, but replacement Stephen Roberts, making his Premier League debut could not be faulted for the Aberdeen goal.

It came after just 14 minutes when quicksilver winger Miller flipped the ball to Dodds.

He evaded Alan Kernaghan and placed his left foot shot well out of Robertson's reach and into the corner of the net.

Aberdeen were a different team from the one that lost 1-0 to Saints last October and Newcastle-bound Stephen Glass served notice that they would be a force to be reckoned with when he cut inside John McQuillan but his shot was just over the bar. Saints' best effort in the opening 30 minutes came from a George O'Boyle header from a Lee Jenkinson free kick but the striker was just off target.

Saints tried hard to get back on level terms but Paul Kane saw what appeared to be a net bound shot deflected over the bar by Ian Jess.

Saints, who had too many of their recognised players having an off day, saw their best chance of an equaliser mopped up by Scotland keeper Jim Leighton in 38 minutes.

O'Boyle turned inside the box but his shot was deflected by John Ingles and Leighton scrambled to slither the loose ball with O'Neil waiting to pounce.

Striker O'Boyle twice tried to get on the score sheet after the restart but poor finishing denied him. Then full back McQuillan, frustrated at his forwards' lack of penetration tried a powerful drive from 25 yards but Leighton got behind the swerving ball to save well.

Saints brought on two of their substitutes in a bid to grab a goal and Kernaghan just failed to get on the end of a Tommy Wright free kick in 72 minutes.

But Aberdeen proved they were still dangerous on the break and Glass spotted Robertson off his line but the keeper managed to hold his 30-yard shot just under the cross bar.

Saints tried desperately for a last-gasp equaliser but a packed Aberdeen defence gave nothing away.

Teams

St Johnstone: Robertson, McQuillan, Preston, Dasovic, Weir, Kernaghan, Tosh (Wright 64), O'Neil (Grant 72), Kane, O'Boyle, Jenkinson.

Subs Not Used: McCluskey.

Booked: Preston.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Rowson, Whyte, O'Neil, Inglis, Smith, Miller (Anderson 75), Jess, Kiriakov, Dodds (O'Neill 83), Glass.

Subs Not Used: Windass.

Goals: Dodds 14.

Att: 6,570

Ref: D Smith (Troon).