FIRST DIVISION promotion hopefuls St Johnstone effortlessly beat hard-working Brechin 3-1 at Glebe Park on Saturday.

Saints took the lead through a controversial goal on 19 minutes when Peter MacDonald’s header was judged to have crossed the line despite keeper Craig Nelson appearing to keep it out.

The Perth team doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when a Martin Hardie effort deflected off David Weatherston and wrong-footed Nelson.

The away side added a third after City’s David Murie misjudged a header back to his keeper and MacDonald pounced to grab his second of the afternoon.

Martin Johnston scored a consolation goal for the Angus side with a spectacular chip over Alan Main from 28 yards with nine minutes to go.

Saints boss Owen Coyle said, “In the first half our passing and movement was in a different class. We scored a few goals and we could have had more. Brechin came into the game at the start of the second half.

“We were maybe resting on our laurels but then we started to create chance after chance and we could have had four or five.”

Brechin manager Michael O’Neill said, “We have been tested in our friendlies, playing against four full-time teams.

“This gives our players an indication of the standard they should aim to get to.

“St Johnstone were impressive—very physically fit and strong—and this was a lot to deal with in the first half.

“I felt it was a more even game in the second half and Johnston’s goal was something special.”