Scottish Premiership: St Johnstone 0-1 Ross County

A first-half strike from Melvin De Leeuw eased Ross County's relegation fears as they defeated St Johnstone.

It was only the second away win of the season for Derek Adams' team, moving them above St Mirren and into 10th place in the Scottish Premiership.

St Johnstone passed up a number of chances, not least from Dave Mackay and Stevie May either side of half-time.

Steven Anderson also had the ball in the net in the final seconds, only for it to be ruled out for handball.

With Hibernian losing to Partick Thistle earlier in the day, St Johnstone had the opportunity to cement their place in the top six.

However, it was the Dingwall men who took advantage of the Easter Road side's defeat, moving to within just four points of the seventh-placed Leith men as they bid to haul themselves clear of the relegation play-off spot.

St Johnstone were keen to build on their midweek win over Dundee United, and could have been ahead after just two minutes.

Lee Croft hit the bye-line and picked out Nigel Hasselbaink, who headed just over. Mackay then had an effort blocked yards from the goal-line by Yoann Arquin.

Steven Anderson's late effort for St Johnstone is disallowed

The Perth side continued to have most of the play, but it was Ross County who took the lead in their first real foray forward.

Evangelos Ikonomou fed De Leeuw on the edge of the box, and he nudged the ball into space before unleashing a left-foot shot into the far corner.

The home side really should have been back on level terms when Richard Brittain allowed Mackay to meet Gary Miller's cross unmarked, but his downward header shaved a post.

De Leeuw could have made it 2-0 shortly after the restart when Jordan Slew played him through in space, but the Dutchman ran the ball too wide and his cross failed to trouble the St Johnstone defence.

Anderson was inches away from an equaliser when he met David Wotherspoon's free-kick at the back post. His header bounced agonisingly in a crowded six-yard box before being clawed behind by Mark Brown.

Brown pulled off an even better save minutes later. Yann Songo'o's headed clearance was unconvincing and May's overhead kick was headed for the net before the goalkeeper reacted to tip it over the bar.

With the next goal vital, the game was opening up . Arquin curled wide from just inside the box, then Filip Kiss struck a 35-yard effort that Alan Mannus almost spilled.

At the other end Chris Iwelumo chested down into the path of Steven MacLean, who volleyed wide.

Mackay again went close late on, with his deflected shot looking like it was set to creep under the bar, but Brown palmed it over.

There was further frustration seconds later for Tommy Wright's side when Anderson thought he had snatched a dramatic equaliser in injury-time.

Brown saved his header brilliantly on the line, but Iwelumo got to the rebound before Anderson headed in. The celebrations were cut short though with an alleged handball given against Iwelumo in the build-up.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

"It was a poor performance from us. We were out-worked in the first half and that doesn't happen too often.

"We're all down tonight but we're still in a great position for the top six and we'll pick ourselves up and get ready for Hibs next week."

Ross County manager Derek Adams:

"We were positive in the team we played and we were ambitious - and that paid off.

"We've done really well since 1 January. We are one of the form teams in the league and I'm delighted with the way we are playing."