St Johnstone eventually lost their battle against relegation from the Scottish Premier League - despite a hard fought draw against Motherwell.

A Stuart Elliott goal proved to be the final nail in the coffin for a Saints side who never looked like avoiding the drop to the First Division.

The Perth side had produced a spirited display at Fir Park and took the lead through Paul Hartley after 21 minutes.

But that was cancelled out by Elliott midway through the second half to end St Johnstone's term in the SPL.

Ironically, it was at the same venue where Saints lost their last fight for top flight survival eight years ago.

St Johnstone's poor results earlier in the season quickly established them as early relegation candidates and even the appointment of Billy Stark as manager was never likely to save them from the drop to the First Division.

The McDiarmid Park side have been staring relegation in the face for months and were aware that anything less than three points at Fir Park would be the trigger which would eventually open the trapdoor below them.

But Saints had displayed a fighting spirit against Hearts a fortnight ago when their 3-1 win indicated they would not give up their top flight status without a fight.

Similarly, they showed the same determination against Motherwell and, as early as the second minute, they were threatening when Tommy Lovenkrands touched the ball onto Hartley who shot just over the crossbar.

To their credit, Motherwell were also looking dangerous.

A David Ferrere free-kick sliced through the Saints wall only for young goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert to block.

Elliott followed up with the rebound and was unlucky to see the close range effort crash off the near post.

But, seconds later, St Johnstone took a well-deserved lead when Lovenkrands' ball found Paddy Connolly who set up Hartley on the edge of the box.

The Saints midfielder bulleted a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

Saints could have added to that lead after 28 minutes when Connolly tried to chip goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau only for the effort to hit the crossbar.

St Johnstone enjoyed the first real chance of the second half and could have added to their lead two minutes after the re-start.

Connolly had been looking dangerous throughout the game and could have netted with a half-volley but was denied by Dubourdeau, who did well to block.

But the equaliser almost came courtesy of new boy Franck Bernhard when he met a cross from Eric Deloumeaux only to fire just wide after 50 minutes.

Motherwell had another chance two minutes later when Elliott fed the ball through to substitute Karl Ready but the defender shot well over the crossbar.

St Johnstone were still searching for the goal that would extend their narrow lead and that almost came after 66 minutes when Graeme Jones picked out Hartley with a cross but he squandered the opportunity to add to his own tally by nodding wide.

But the Perth side were left to rue those missed chances when Motherwell drew level in the 70th minute.

Deloumeaux's long, low shot had Cuthbert beaten but hit the post. However, while Cuthbert was still grounded, Elliott pounced to ram home the rebound and bring Motherwell back into the game.

Saints tried desperately for the goal which could ensure their top flight survival for another week after 78 minutes.

Connolly's close-range shot was blocked by the Motherwell defence and Lovenkrands had even less luck with the rebound which he sent yards over the crossbar.

Motherwell could have snatched the win with two minutes remaining when McFadden was once again allowed to surge into the box only for his shot to he easily held by Cuthbert.

That proved to be the last real chance of the game but, by then, First Division football was already beckoning for St Johnstone.

Teams

Motherwell: Dubourdeau, Corrigan, Strong, Deloumeaux, Hammell, Ferrere (Nicholas 90), Martinez (Ready 46), Bernhard, McFadden, Elliott, Adams.

Subs Not Used: Woods, Cosgrove, Fagan.

Goals: Elliott 70.

St Johnstone: Cuthbert, Dods, Weir, McCluskey, Lynch, McBride (Macdonald 72), Murray, Lovenkrands, Jones, Connolly (Panther 82), Hartley (Maher 86).

Subs Not Used: Forsyth, Devlin.

Goals: Hartley 22.

Att: 3,418

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).