St Johnstone got off to a flier against Partick Thistle as they look to make an immediate return to the Scottish Premiership.
Simo Valakari's side demolished their visitors with a devastating first-half display after conceding the first goal.
Paddy Reading scored it after 15 minutes for Thistle, but that only fired up the Perth side.
Jamie Gullen equalised within two minutes, before Josh McPake put St Johnstone ahead with a curling shot and made it 3-1 with an effort from inside the six-yard box
McPake completed his hat-trick just after the break before limping off to a standing ovation.
But the pick of the bunch was still to come, with Stevie Mallan scoring a fabulous 82nd-minute free kick to start the Championship season in fine style.
