St Johnstone brought the curtain down on their pre-season schedule with a 3-2 win at home to Cove Rangers.
The Perth men’s scorers on a warm afternoon in the Fair City were Melker Hallberg, Theo Bair and Graham Carey, while Gerry McDonagh and Leighton McIntosh found the net for Cove.
Elliott Parish was given the nod from the first whistle between the posts, with the central defensive three of Dan Cleary, John Mahon and Andy Considine in front.
The wing-back roles were occupied by Charlie Gilmour (right) and Adam Montgomery (left).
Patrolling the centre of the park was the familiar face of Murray Davidson alongside Hallberg while, more advanced, Ali Crawford and Max Kucheriavyi looked to provide a creative spark. Stevie May was up top.
Following a 6-3 behind-closed-doors defeat to Inverness on Tuesday, manager Callum Davidson would be hoping for a more solid performance to boost confidence going into the competitive action.
Saints almost fell behind on eight minutes, however, when Parish spilled from a corner. Luckily for him, May was on hand to clear Iain Vigurs’ attempted finish off the line.
The Perth side soon settled and had the lead in the 21st minute and it came direct from a free-kick, won by the positive running of Kucheriavyi. Hallberg stepped up, lifted the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net.
Goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie did get a touch, but not enough to prevent Cove falling behind.
The Championship visitors were level - from the penalty spot - just shy of the half hour mark after Fraser Fyvie had been fouled in the box. McDonagh made no mistake from 12 yards.
Clear cut chances were at a premium but May did have a sight of goal as the half-time whistle approached. He made a clever run in the box, was picked out by Crawford and forced McKenzie into a smart stop.
Saints made four changes at the break which saw James Brown, Michael O’Halloran, Cammy MacPherson and Bair enter the action. Mahon, Gilmour, Davidson and May departed.
Bair quickly tried to make an impression, shuffling onto his left foot at the edge of the box before his strike was deflected behind for a corner. On 49 minutes, he fired Saints back in front.
This was a neat move down the left flank, helped by a clever Crawford pass into the path of Montgomery who was now in full flight.
He cut the ball back for Bair who, after peeling off his man, launched a powerful and accurate first-time, left-footed effort into the top corner. That was his third goal in three games.
Further changes arrived after the hour mark with new arrivals Jamie Murphy and Graham Carey replacing Crawford and Kucheriavyi.
Immediately, Cove levelled at 2-2 thanks to a clinical finish from Leighton McIntosh. His low, angled drive whistled beyond Parish and into the bottom corner.
Youngster Taylor Steven was then given the nod - replacing Montgomery - with 15 minutes remaining.
Steven soon almost netted a wonder goal with a left-footed strike from range which struck the crossbar. Not to worry, though, as Carey followed in to nudge Saints back ahead.
Attention now turns to Tuesday’s Premier Sports Cup opener at home to Annan Athletic.
