Stevie May was the matchwinner, but St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright had praise for the man who laid on the striker’s 20th goal of the season.
David Wotherspoon created the chance for May to score the only goal of the game on 26 minutes as they beat Partick Thistle at Firhill.
It was a brilliant run from Wotherspoon that carved open Thistle’s defence and Wright was happy to highlight his contribution.
“David has been a dream for us this season because he can play in so many positions,” said the Saints boss.
“We encourage him to come in off the line and he did that at the goal. It was a great assist and, of course, Stevie has tucked it away nicely.”
The visitors were deserved winners despite the hosts putting the pressure on in the second half and Wright was delighted to see his players bounce back from the agony of being pegged back to 3-3 by Hearts at the weekend.
“I think we showed a lot of character after a difficult game on Saturday,” added Wright.
“The way we started the game was very pleasing and we have done that for the last three matches now.
“I think we dominated early on and deserved to be 1-0 up.
“Maybe after the goal we started making wrong decisions and giving the ball away too cheaply but I don’t think Stevie Banks had a lot to do in our goal.
“The second half was more even as they came at us and we had to make a few blocks but I was pleased with what was a good defensive performance.
“I think, particularly in the first half, that we showed a lot of quality.”
Partick gaffer Alan Archibald admitted that Saints had the upper hand.
“I thought we were miles off it in the first half and showed them too much respect,” he said. “St Johnstone were by far the better team and won every second ball.
“In the second we created chances but the ball would just not drop for us. We didn’t get our foot on the ball and they dictated the play.”
Thistle, despite going close a few times in the closing stages, had no answer to May’s strike and their run without a win at home this season goes on.
Saints, on the other hand, closed the gap on fifth-placed Dundee United to two points and can overtake them with a win at Tannadice next Monday night.
For a full match report and more, see Wednesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.