Player statistic
| Marcus Fraser |  |
6' | ||
| Ryan Carr | |
29' |
| 49' |  |
Jamie Gullan | ||
| 63' | |
Jamie Gullan | ||
| Killian Phillips |  |
73' |
Match statistic
The sides went into Saturday's match occupying the top two places in the table, with the winner knowing they would finish the day at the summit.
The first half was a tight affair, with both teams playing some good football but creating few clear chances.
St Mirren had the first real opportunity after 25 minutes when Samuel Ramos headed towards goal from close range. St Johnstone goalkeeper Toby Steward produced a save to turn the effort onto the crossbar and keep the game goalless.
St Johnstone were handed a major opportunity to take the lead shortly after the restart.
Alex Gogić was penalised for handball following a challenge with Sam Stanton inside the St Mirren penalty area.
Referee Ross Hardie initially allowed play to continue before being advised by VAR official John Beaton to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
After looking at the incident again, Hardie awarded St Johnstone a penalty.
Jamie Gullan stepped up in the 49th minute, but St Mirren's new goalkeeper Jacob Chapman dived to save his low effort and keep the score at 0-0.
With the match looking increasingly likely to finish goalless, St Mirren were awarded a penalty of their own in the 72nd minute.
Declan John played the ball forward into the penalty area, where Ramos was brought down by Steward as the goalkeeper came off his line.
The decision was checked by VAR and upheld, with Killian Phillips converting from the spot in the 73rd minute to give St Mirren a 1-0 lead.
Both sides continued to push during the closing stages and there were chances at either end, but St Mirren held on to take all three points.
The result leaves St Mirren with six points from their opening two league matches. Celtic also have six points and sit top on goal difference following their 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
St Johnstone are sixth with three points after two matches.
St Mirren's scheduled league trip to Rangers on Saturday, 22nd August has been postponed due to European fixtures. St Johnstone's home match against Celtic on the same day has also been postponed.
By Hugh McMillan
Photo: St Johnstone keeper can't save Killian Phillips' penalty to make it 1-0
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Alex Gogic and St Johnstone keeper Toby Stewart challenge for the ball
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren new signing Luke Thomas, who joined from Bristol Rovers, runs at the St Johnstone defence
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Jake Young has a shot at goal
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Ryan Carr plays a forward pass
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Paul Niso, on loan from Rangers, evades a tackle
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Samuel Ramos runs at the St Johnstone defence
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren's Killian Phillips holds off St Johnstone's Zach Mitchell
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
Photo: St Mirren keeper Jacob Chapman saves a penalty from St Johnstone's Jamie Gullan
Photo Credit: Hugh McMillan / Renfrewshire News
