John O'Neil was the toast of the St Johnstone fans as his two second half goals ended the recent revival of Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.

Saints outclassed the dismal Dons but failed to capitalise on their obvious superiority until the later stages of the game.

The defeat also effectively ends caretaker-manager Paul Hegarty's chances of taking over the manager's position full-time.

The honours were even at half-time but it was Aberdeen who scored first against the run of play.

Robbie Winters fed Eoin Jess in the 25th minute and he flicked the ball to Jamie Buchan. He was given too much space and the Perth defence paid the penalty when his shot took a cruel deflection off Alan Kernaghan and past the diving Alan Main.

St Johnstone were on level terms a minute from half-time after a needless penalty given away by ex-Saint John Inglis, who pushed Darren Dods as he went for a Gary Bollan free kick.

Bollan took the spot-kick and slotted it low into the corner of the net.

Saints completely dominated in the second period and it was no surprise when they added a second in the 52nd minute with a well-worked goal.

Miguel Simao crossed to Paddy Connolly whose header found the unmarked Kernaghan at the far post and he squeezed the ball through Derek Stillie's legs.

Then came the first of two match-winning goals from O'Neil, who was later named man of the match.

Connolly was the provider again as O'Neil made ground down the left before firing the ball low past Stillie.

More humiliation was to come for the dejected Dons - and it was O'Neil again six minutes from time.

Gerry McMahon sent over an inch-perfect cross from the right, O'Neil neatly controlled it before flicking it with the outside of his right boot past the helpless keeper.

Four players were booked - Bollan of Saints had his name taken for a wild tackle on David Rowson, while John Inglis and Ilian Kiriakov of Aberdeen were both booked for protesting after the penalty incident.

The Dons' Derek Whyte also found his way into the referee's notebook for a foul on Simao.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Kernaghan, Dods, Bollan, McMahon (McAnespie 89), Kane, O'Neil, Scott, Connolly (Lowndes 85), Simao (Grant 87).

Subs Not Used: Griffin, Robertson.

Booked: Bollan.

Goals: Bollan 44 pen, Kernaghan 52, O'Neil 75, 84.

Aberdeen: Stillie, Perry, Inglis, Whyte, Dow, Pepper (Hart 71), Kiriakov, Buchan (Newell 57), Rowson, Jess, Winters.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Gillies, Esson.

Booked: Inglis, Kiriakov, Whyte.

Goals: Buchan 25.

Att: 8,971

Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).