SIMO'S FOURCE OF NATURE ON TITLE MISSION

BOYES BACK IN TOWN Morgan celebrates Saints’ second

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SIMO VALAKARI lauded a “total performance” in Perth as St Johnstone preserved their five-point cushion at the summit.

Ruari Paton buried a first-half double either side of a Morgan Boyes header to send Saints inside 3-0 up on Airdrie.

Then, nine minutes from time, Josh McPake sealed a 4-0 win from the penalty spot after Craig Ross had fouled Sam Stanton.

Boss Valakari said: “It was a total performance from the first minute until the last. Scoring three goals in the first half could have been even more.

“I really liked the atmosphere in the first half. In these moments it looks easy but it is not.

“What our players are doing, we need to appreciate. I have such big respect for our players how they are doing all these matches.