Motherwell 2-1 St Johnstone: Third league defeat in a row for Perth side

It was the scene of St Johnstone's great escape last season.

But it provided to be an unhappy return to Fir Park for Saints and former Steelman Simo Valakari.

The Perth boss spoke in midweek of the need for a cutting edge and decisiveness in key moments.

But it was Motherwell who were the ones who showed their teeth in this Remembrance Weekend clash.

The damage done by Tawanda Maswanhise and Tom Sparrow means its three straight defeats for the Perth side.

Valakari called the first-half performance "unacceptable" but praised his players' fight in the second half.

The Finn has a vision to created a progressive, attacking Fair City side. But a club whose success was built on a solid defence should not be wholly forgotten.

Saints are now the only team in the division with a negative goal difference that reaches into double figures.

The international break will be vital for Valakari to get the balance right and sharpen his players up in both boxes.

St Johnstone were looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats ahead of the game.

Adama Sidibeh was the hero that saved his team from the relegation play-offs back in May.

But it was his strike partner, and club top scorer, Benji Kimpioka who dropped to the bench, with Valakari favouring an extra midfielder as Matt Smith returned. Meanwhile, Josh Rae deputised in goal for the injured Ross Sinclair.

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The first sign of goalmouth action came on six minutes. Graham Carey's low cross into the box fizzed off the turf, missed players in both shirts and ghosted past the left post of Aston Oxborough's.

Saints looked the brighter side in the opening 10 minutes with Carey, so often the one charged with unlocking defences, firing just over.

But with their first clear chance, Motherwell took the lead on 20 minutes. Marvin Kaleta's cross to the back post found Maswanhise who headed in to the ground and into the net.

Saints had the possession, but the hosts had the breakthrough.

Smith teed himself up for a volley on 27 minutes which was nearly parried into the path of a lurking Adama Sidibeh before Steven Seddon cleared.

Ewan Wilson's dangerous first-time cross found Apostolos Stamatelopoulos at the back post whose close-range header was superbly saved by Rae on 32 minutes.

But it was just a momentary reprieve for St Johnstone, who went further behind two minutes later.

Tom Sparrow set himself on the edge of the box before firing an arrowed strike into the bottom corner. Rae's fingers were not enough to keep the ball out this time.

Motherwell were starting to cut through Saints at will, especially down the wings, as the busy Maswanhise curled wide on 36 minutes.

Carey tried to force Saints back into it as the Perth threat faded as the half drew to a close. He nutmegged Wilson but his shot was lacking power and Oxborough gathered easily.

Having started so brightly Motherwell were now fully in control.

Clearly unhappy with what he was seeing, the Perth manager made defensive changes at half-time with Andre Raymond and Lewis Neilson replacing Jason Holt and Matt Smith.

But the hosts began the restart on the front foot, making multiple forays forward.

Miscommunication between Kyle Cameron and Jack Sanders left Sparrow completely free in the box but he could not keep his strike on target. The centre-backs had stern words with each over after that let-off.

The visitors were handed a way back into the game before the hour after referee Ross Hardie awarded a penalty for a handball from Andy Halliday, who blocked Carey's strike, following a VAR intervention.

Nicky Clark cooly converted into the side netting for his third goal in his last four games.

Top scorer Kimpioka replaced Sidibeh as Saints hunted for the equaliser, although Motherwell still looked marginally more dangerous.

Well substitute Tony Watt received a cut-back after excellent work down the right from Kaleta, but the former Perth player skied high over.

As the clock ticked down Saints were beginning to make in-roads into the home side's half but struggled to create a clear chance.

But then they thought they had found a dramatic late equaliser.

Centre-half Sanders found himself unmarked in the box to head home Carey's corner from close range. The joy was, however, shortlived. His effort was ruled out for handball following a VAR review. The defender's muted celebration suggests he agreed.

Technology giveth and technology taketh away.

Saints pushed men forward which left them vulnerable at the back, as a Davor Zdravkovski hit the side netting.

But there would be no more chance as St Johnstone slumped to a third straight loss.

They now sit 10^th in the SPFL table with Kilmarnock visiting McDiarmid Park following the international break.

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Line-up: St Johnstone - Rae, Cameron, Sanders, Holt (Neilson 46'), Clark (Kirk '76), Carey, Wright, Sidibeh (Kimpioka 65'), Smith (Raymond 46'), Sprangler, Douglas (Mikulic 86').

Subs not used: Hepburn, Essel, Keltjens, Franczak.

Referee: Ross Hardie

VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 4306