St Johnstone secure Premiership survival as Ross County face relegation play-off

Ross County face a relegation play-off with Raith Rovers after St Johnstone secured Premiership survival.

It was a nail-biting final day in the Scottish Premiership as the Staggies and Saints battled to avoid 11th spot and the dreaded relegation play-off. Ross County's job was simple; beat Aberdeen and they would secure their place in the top-flight for another year. For St Johnstone, they had to win at Motherwell and hope their relegation rivals slipped up in Dingwall.

After overcoming Partick Thistle in a nervy penalty shootout win on Friday night, Raith Rovers were waiting to discover who they would meet in next week's play-off final.

St Johnstone stormed into a two-goal lead at Fir Park in the first-half as Nicky Clark and Adama Sidibeh eased the nerves. In the Highlands, both teams went in the break on level terms after Simon Murray's early opener was cancelled out by Estek Sokler.

The Dons then left the Staggies stunned by taking the lead on 50 minutes as Jamie McGrath knocked in Junior Hoilett's low cross. But County were given a massive lifeline when Angus MacDonald was sent off in 65 minutes for denying Jordan White a clear goal scoring opportunity. Yan Dhanda slotted home the resulting penalty as Don Cowie's men chased that crucial goal that would guarantee them safety.

Back in North Lanarkshire, Moses Ebiye scored a late consolation for Motherwell but it was too little too late as the final whistle sounded just seconds later to secure a priceless 2-1 win for St Johnstone. All eyes then turned to Dingwall as nine minutes were added on. However, County couldn't find a way past ten-men Aberdeen and the final whistle sparked jubilant scenes at Fir Park as Craig Levein's St Johnstone extended their record-breaking run in the top-flight.