Kiegan Parker scored twice to give St Johnstone a comfortable 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The striker's first goal came from a 51st minute penalty after Momo Sylla had been brought down in the box by Gus MacPherson.

His second was a tremendous strike from 18 yards when he was surrounded by Kilmarnock defenders and offering no apparent danger.

It was an impressive display by the Saints who always looked too good for their opponents who were disappointing throughout the 90 minutes.

The home side started the better and had the Saints pinned back in their own half in the opening few minutes.

But it was St Johnstone who should have taken the lead in the 10th minute after Kilmarnock defender Frederic Dindeleux had made a mistake at the edge of his own box.

Parker pounced on the loose ball but when it seemed easier to score he drove his 10-yard shot straight at goalkeeper Gordon Marshall.

The visitors grew in confidence and carved out another chance in the 19th minute after a Sylla cross caused havoc in the Killie box.

The ball eventually fell to Craig Russell but the youngster shot wide from six yards.

St Johnstone were always looking dangerous against a nervous home defence and in the 34th minute Parker again broke clear but his cut-back from the by-line was weak and Marshall gathered comfortably.

Kilmarnock had little in way of reply except for Craig Dargo's poor attempt from 20 yards which went yards wide.

Ian Durrant was showing up well in the Kilmarnock midfield but could not inspire his team-mates who continued to make the most basic of errors.

But Saints got off the hook minutes from the break when careless defending gave Alan Mahood a half chance at the edge of the box.

But to the visitors relief the Kilmarnock midfielder shot well wide of the post.

St Johnstone's second half got off to a great start when they were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute.

Sylla had burst into the box after picking up Darren Dods pass, only to be pulled down by McPherson.

It was a clear penalty and the confident Parker smashed the ball high into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Kilmarnock tried to fight back and minutes later Dindeleux came close with a header from a Durrant corner.

This signalled a spell of Kilmarnock pressure but the Saints defence held firm.

But there was no hint of danger on the hour mark when Parker scored a sensational second goal.

Picking up a poor clearance from Marshall, Paul Kane played the ball to Parker just inside the Kilmarnock penalty area.

The youngster skilfully set himself up before sending an unstoppable shot past Marshall and high into the net.

Kilmarnock tried to force a way back into the game but there was no way back.