St Johnstone extend lead in Scottish Championship after victory at Airdrieonians

St Johnstone held off an Airdrieonians fightback at the Excelsior Stadium to secure a 2-1 win and move eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Jamie Gullan opened the scoring for the visitors in the ninth minute before Cheick Diabate doubled his side’s tally just 10 minutes later.

Cameron Cooper provided the home side a lifeline when he struck from close range with 16 minutes to go.

However, St Johnstone, who have dropped just two points this season, survived to extend their lead at the summit with Airdrieonians, still yet to win a game, rooted to the foot of the table.

Both sides received red cards following the final whistle after Diabate and Aaron Reid were sent off.

In the night’s other fixture, Mark McKenzie’s ninth-minute goal was enough to earn Ayr a 1-0 win at Dunfermline.

Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen was dismissed just two minutes into the second half for Dunfermline, with Ayr’s Dylan Watret also sent off in the closing stages, as the visitors claimed their first league win of the campaign.