St Johnstone became further detached at the bottom of the William Hill Premiership after a deflating 3-1 home defeat by Dundee.

Simon Murray preyed on a goalkeeping error to fire the visitors ahead inside three minutes. The lead was doubled by Seb Palmer-Houlden, who then helped Lyall Cameron make it three midway through the first half.

The hosts dominated the second half play in pursuit of an unlikely comeback but could only muster a 67th-minute reply from substitute Josh McPake.

St Johnstone lost for the 15th time in the league and dropped eight points behind Hearts.

Simo Valakari’s team are winless in eight and have earned just five points from 12 games since beating Dundee in October.

The visitors revived their top-half hopes, moving to within two points of sixth-placed St Mirren.

Scott Tiffoney replaced Finlay Robertson in Tony Docherty’s only switch from the derby loss to Dundee United.

Dundee’s depleted numbers were highlighted by his visiting bench housing only six outfield substitutes.

Jason Holt’s suspension saw Matt Smith return for Saints while veteran Graham Carey replaced Fran Franczak after the 17-year-old’s two starts over the festive period.

Dundee eased two goals ahead within 10 minutes as season-long issues to have plagued the Perth side haunted them again.

Goalkeeper Josh Rae flapped at a free-kick under pressure and Drey Wright’s bid to boot clear did not go far.

Murray picked his spot on the turn to fire through the crowded six-yard box and net for the third successive game. Rae’s complaints about a foul were dismissed by VAR.

More feeble defending failed Saints as Tiffoney was allowed to rework a corner into the danger area.

Clark Robertson’s deflected shot across goal was pounced on at the back post by Palmer-Houlden, who bundled in his eight of the campaign.

Saints looked like they had lost heart and were not tight in closing down danger as Dee coasted to a third.

Palmer-Houlden drove in from the right flank to find Cameron peeling off the attentions of Jack Sanders.

The centre-half slipped and Cameron steered a splendid finish past Rae.

Valakari vented his anger through a double switch in the 28th minute, hauling off Matt Smith and Andre Raymond.

Benji Kimpioka failed to hit the target when St Johnstone posed their first serious threat on the break in the 40th minute.

Adama Sidibeh dragged a shot wide from 20 yards on the counter-attack and flicked a header into Trevor Carson’s arms as the home side showed second-half fight.

McPake and Max Kucheriavyi, fringe men all season, were bright sparks in an improved effort.

Former Rangers starlet McPake gave a glimmer of hope as he ghosted across from the left to send a sweetly struck 25-yarder low into the bottom corner.

Another reply would have put the frighteners on Dundee and Saints were persistent in probing.

Carson spilled a Nicky Clark shot but the ball squirmed out for a corner and Dundee held firm.