Dunfermline pair Jason Dair and Barry Nicholson brought St Johnstone's recent run of good form juddering to a halt at McDiarmid Park.

Saints had enjoyed excellent wins over Rangers and Hearts in their last two Premier League outings but were left second best by an excellent Pars' performance.

Defender Dair opened the scoring for the visitors with 20 minutes remaining before a clever chip by Nicholson secured the points for the SPL newcomers.

Dunfermline had set the tempo after just seven minutes when David Moss hit a right foot volley just over.

St Johnstone were slow in adjusting to Dunfermline's positive approach and Paddy Connolly did have a chance to force the ball home after 22 minutes but somehow defender Scott Thomson was alert to divert the ball for a corner.

Much of the attention pre-match had been focused on young Saint Keigan Parker who had just signed an extension to his contract.

But this was to prove an afternoon beyond the youngster as he was easily muscled out by Dunfermline's big defender Andrius Skerla.

It really was a mystery given Dunfermline's overall superiority that they went into the interval minus a breakthrough but, at least, Saints goalkeeper Alan Main was in his usual reliable form.

In the 46th minute, Moss cursed his luck once more heading over from Chris McGroarty's cross.

Five minutes later, however, it was the turn of his veteran strike partner Owen Coyle to clip the ball over as Dunfermline's mood was becoming increasingly aggressive and assertive.

It was that kind of afternoon for Saints, when Paul Kane, usually so influential in midfield, was anonymous and his frustration was capped when he was cautioned for a nasty clash with Dair.

In the 64th minute, Dunfermline were frustrated yet again, firstly when Main was alert to brilliantly stop a Crawford drive after Alan Kernaghan slipped inside the box.

Then Nicholson crashed a volley against the bar after Coyle assisted with an overhead pass.

Fortunately for the Pars this was to prove a prelude to a long awaited breakthrough.

In the 70th minute, Dair picked up a Nicholson short corner, and as Saints defence casually looked on, he had sufficient time to pluck out a drive which eluded Main inside his left-hand post.

On another afternoon St Johnstone could have risen to the challenge, but it became obvious that they were taking their autumn leave.

Dunfermline's second was exquisitely taken, and a fitting crown to their endeavours.

From a hopeful clearance Nicholson latched onto the ball, beating Saints offside trap, and with luckless Main exposed, Calderwood's recent signing from Rangers casually clipped the ball over the exposed goalkeeper.

Only a hopeful shot from Paddy Connolly towards the end indicated that Saints were at least bothering to compete.

But the result could prove to be a springboard for Dunfermline as they chase a top six place.